ESMA Cracks Down on Crypto Oversight in 2027 Work Program
The European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) has outlined its priorities for 2027 in its newly released Work Program. The agency has placed a strong emphasis on regulating crypto-assets, which will be overseen under the Markets in Crypto Assets (MiCA) framework.
According to Verena Ross, Chair of ESMA, this year's focus will be on 'simplifying and modernizing' market supervision processes through increased use of data and technology. One key area of attention will be the standardization of crypto-asset service providers under MiCA, which aims to tighten oversight across the EU.
ESMA will also deploy its MIDAS surveillance system to detect and prevent potential market abuse in digital assets. The agency has expressed concerns about event contracts markets, also known as prediction markets, warning that many platforms fall under binary options regulation and require MiFID II compliance licenses.