EU Regulators Push for Tougher Crypto Enforcement Amid Rising Risks

The European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) is pushing for tougher enforcement of the EU's MiCA regulation, citing concerns about the speed and complexity of crypto markets.

Regulators need stronger tools to respond to risks in the rapidly moving digital-asset market, ESMA said. This includes enabling authorities to freeze crypto assets when there are reasonable grounds to suspect links to criminal activity or market abuse.

The proposal would give regulators more direct intervention powers, allowing them to act before potentially illicit assets are transferred beyond their reach.