ESMA Demands Stricter Enforcement of EU Crypto Rules
The European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA), the EU markets watchdog, has called for stronger enforcement of EU crypto regulation. On September 30, 2026, ESMA said national regulators and itself need broader authority to enforce the bloc's crypto rulebook. The current tools are too slow to stop scams, money laundering, and unauthorized trading before the damage is done.
ESMA wants the power to order crypto firms to freeze assets suspected of being linked to crime, money laundering or terrorist financing. National regulators could gain authority to take down websites tied to scams or unauthorized crypto companies. ESMA is pushing to ban misleading crypto marketing tactics and set rules for third-party promotion.
Crypto companies could be required to disclose full cost information to customers. The proposals are ESMA's contribution to a wider consultation on the Markets in Crypto Assets Regulation (MiCA), which is currently under review. A group of central banks in Europe also submitted their own response to that same consultation the week before ESMA's statement.