ESMA Gains Centralized Control Over EU Crypto Regulation

ESMA Granted Central Supervision Over EU Crypto Firms

The European Commission is shifting regulatory power to ESMA for centralized supervision over crypto firms. Central authority over market structures aims for unified practices across the EU.

Verena Ross, ESMA’s Chair, supports the move, suggesting it enhances efficiency. “It also means that people had to build up specific new resources and expertise 27 times in different national supervisors, which could have been done more efficiently once at a European level.” Maria Luís Albuquerque emphasizes integrating crypto sectors into broader financial landscapes.

Exchanges Face Higher Compliance Costs Under ESMA

The centralization could increase compliance costs, particularly for exchanges like Crypto.com and OKX. Countries such as Malta and Luxembourg oppose this due to potential loss of local autonomy.

Financially, the shift places stricter oversight on exchanges and custodians. It raises political concerns about regulatory “monsters,” as indicated by Claude Marx of Luxembourg.

Past Regulatory Changes Hint at Future Challenges

Past regulatory changes, like MiCA, resulted in delays and increased costs. Previous interventions highlight ESMA’s conservative stance, impacting crypto platforms significantly.

Based on historical trends, ESMA’s move could lead to service suspensions or exits of non-compliant platforms, reflecting broader impacts on crypto market dynamics.