ESMA News

Consolidated Tape Onboarding Q&As Published

ESMA published Questions and Answers clarifying onboarding expectations for EU Consolidated Tapes ahead of go-live for bonds and equities. The guidance addresses data contributor obligations for trading venues and APAs, and operational rules for Consolidated Tape Providers fairCT (bonds) and EuroCTP (equities). ESMA expects data contributors to engage with selected CTPs before formal authorization to ensure transmission readiness.

ESAs Spring Risk Update Highlights Geopolitical and Private Finance Risks

The European Supervisory Authorities (ESAs) have published their Spring 2026 update on risks and vulnerabilities in the EU financial system. The report highlights significant risks from ongoing geopolitical tensions and emerging challenges in private finance, while noting the overall resilience of the EU financial sector.

ESMA Postpones Commodity Derivatives Reporting Rollout to April 2026

The European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) has postponed the rollout of its new solution for Commodity Derivatives Weekly Position Reporting, originally scheduled for April 1, 2026. The decision was made due to issues identified during final testing, requiring further corrective actions. A revised go-live date will be communicated later.

SEC Exempts EEA Foreign Issuers' Directors and Officers from US Reporting

The US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has confirmed an exemption for directors and officers of European Economic Area (EEA) foreign private issuers from US Section 16(a) reporting requirements. This decision aligns US obligations with the EU's Market Abuse Regulation disclosure rules.

ESMA Actions to Simplify Retail Investor Journey

The European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) has published actions to simplify the retail investor journey and improve accessibility to investment opportunities. These actions stem from a Call for Evidence and focus on streamlining disclosures, reducing complexity in suitability assessments, and simplifying sustainability preference requirements under MiFID II.

ESMA Report on Costs and Performance of EU Retail Investment Products

The European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) has released its 2025 market report on the costs and performance of EU retail investment products. The report indicates a general decline in ongoing costs, primarily driven by new investment funds entering the market.

ESMA Publishes Annual Equity Transparency Calculations

The European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) has published its annual transparency calculations for equity and equity-like instruments, effective April 6, 2026. These calculations determine liquidity assessments, relevant markets, large-in-scale thresholds, and tick-size regimes.

ESMA Publishes Q&As on Financial Markets, MiCA, CCPs, and Transparency

The European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) has published updated Questions and Answers documents covering various EU financial market regulations. These Q&As provide clarifications on topics including crowdfunding, Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA), OTC derivatives, central counterparties (CCPs), and the Transparency Directive.

ESMA Consults on EMIR 3 Post-Trade Risk Reduction Services

The European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) has launched a consultation on the requirements for post-trade risk reduction (PTRR) services under EMIR 3. The consultation seeks feedback on draft Regulatory Technical Standards (RTS) that define conditions for PTRR services to benefit from a clearing obligation exemption.

ESMA Supervisory Briefing on Algorithmic Trading

The European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) has issued a supervisory briefing to support consistent supervision of algorithmic trading across the EU. The briefing provides National Competent Authorities with tools and clarified expectations for supervising firms engaged in algorithmic trading under MiFID II, including considerations for AI.