ESMA publishes report on cross-border marketing of funds including statistics on notifications 06 January 2026 The European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA), the EU’s financial markets regulator and supervisor, has today published its third report on marketing requirements and marketing communications under the Regulation on cross-border distribution of funds . For the first time, the report includes statistics on notifications of cross-border marketing of funds. Drawing on input from ...
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The European Supervisory Authorities and UK financial regulators sign Memorandum of Understanding on oversight of critical ICT third-party service providers under DORA 14 January 2026 Digital Finance and Innovation International cooperation The European Supervisory Authorities (EBA, EIOPA and ESMA – the ESAs) have today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Bank of England (BoE), the Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA), and the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). This agreement...
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ESMA promotes clarity in communications on ESG strategies 14 January 2026 Sustainable finance The European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA), the EU’s financial markets regulator and supervisor, published today a second thematic note on sustainability-related claims, focusing on ESG strategies. The note concentrates on ESG integration and ESG exclusions, as references to these strategies are often made by market participants and widely referenced in marketing communications directed to ...
ESMA published a thematic note on January 14, 2026, providing guidance on clear, fair, and not misleading communications regarding ESG strategies, specifically ESG integration and ESG exclusions, to mitigate greenwashing risks in non-regulatory materials like marketing. This matters because sustainability claims heavily influence investor decisions, and misleading communications can lead to supervisory actions, reputational damage, and loss of trust, aligning with existing EU rules under SFDR and related frameworks without imposing new disclosures.
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What Changed
This is not a formal regulatory change but supervisory guidance reinforcing four principles for non-regulatory communications (e.g., marketing materials, websites, investor presentations, voluntary reports):
Accurate: Claims must fairly represent sustainability profiles without exaggeration, falsehoods, omissions, cherry-picking, vagueness, or misleading ESG terminology/imagery.
Accessible: Information must be easy to understand and navigate, with layered substantiation in electronic formats
What You Need To Do
- Review and update all non-regulatory ESG communications (marketing, websites, presentations, DDQs, PPMs) against the four principles and do's/don'ts
- Define and clearly explain ESG integration/exclusions (e
- Ensure consistency across channels, substantiate claims with accessible evidence, and avoid vagueness or overstatements
- Train compliance/marketing teams; monitor for updates as further thematic notes may follow
- Cross-reference with first note and regulations like SFDR, Cross-Border Distribution Regulation
Key Dates
14 January 2026 - Publication date of the thematic note on ESG strategies (second in series).
1 July 2025 - Publication of ESMA's first thematic note on ESG credentials (to be read in combination).
Compliance Impact
Urgency: High – Immediate risk of enforcement for greenwashing in high-visibility ESG marketing, amid rising supervisory scrutiny; non-compliance threatens fines, remediation, and reputational harm as investor focus on sustainability grows. Proactive alignment builds trust and differentiates firms.
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Principles for risk-based supervision: a critical pillar for ESMA’s simplification and burden reduction efforts 09 January 2026 Supervision The European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA), the EU’s financial markets regulator and supervisor, published today its principles for risk-based supervision . These principles support a common and effective EU-wide supervisory culture and strengthen the EU single market. The principles on risk-based supervision outline key concepts and foundationa...
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ESMA publishes report on cross-border marking of funds including statistics on notifications 06 January 2026 The European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA), the EU’s financial markets regulator and supervisor, has today published its third report on marketing requirements and marketing communications under the Regulation on cross-border distribution of funds . For the first time, the report includes statistics on notifications of cross-border marketing of funds. Drawing on input from Na...
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ESMA launches selection of Consolidated Tape Provider for OTC derivatives 05 January 2026 MiFID - Secondary Markets Trading The European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA), the EU’s financial markets regulator and supervisor, is launching the first selection procedure for the Consolidated Tape Provider (CTP) for over the counter (OTC) derivatives. Entities interested to apply are encouraged to register and submit their requests to participate in the selection procedure by 11 February 20...
ESMA has launched the first selection procedure for a **Consolidated Tape Provider (CTP) for OTC derivatives**, with applications due by 11 February 2026 and a decision expected by early July 2026. This initiative establishes a critical market infrastructure component to enhance transparency and efficiency in the EU's OTC derivatives market by consolidating post-trade data into a single, continuous electronic stream.
What Changed
The regulatory framework introduces several substantive requirements:
CTP Mandate: The selected provider will consolidate post-trade data from trading venues and other data contributors into a unified electronic stream, enabling market participants to access accurate, timely information.
Data Scope: The CTP will collect and disseminate OTC derivatives data in accordance with ESMA's Final Report on transparency for derivatives, with specific technical standards governing pre- and post-trade tra
What You Need To Do
- *For prospective CTP applicants
- *For trading venues and data contributors
- trade OTC derivatives data to the selected CTP from 1 March 2027
- minute maximum delay for real-time dissemination
- *For market participants
Key Dates
11 February 2026 – Deadline for entities to register and submit requests to participate in the selection procedure DEADLINE
Early July 2026 – ESMA to adopt reasoned decision on selected applicant
1 September 2026 – Mandatory use of new OTC derivatives identifying reference data (Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2025/1003)
1 March 2027 – Single application date for all derivatives-related changes: amendments to RTS 2, Package Order RTS, and OTC derivatives CTP data requirements
Compliance Impact
Urgency: HIGH
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ESMA publishes latest Spotlight on Markets newsletter featuring updates on market integration and transparency 23 December 2025 ESMA newsletter The European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA), the EU’s financial markets regulator and supervisor, has today published the latest edition of its Spotlight on Markets newsletter. This edition opens with ESMA welcoming the European Commission’s ambitious proposal on market integration, underlining the importance of deeper, more integrated and ef...
ESMA's latest *Spotlight on Markets* newsletter (November/December 2025 issue, published 23 December 2025) summarizes key regulatory updates on EU market integration, transparency enhancements, and supervisory actions, including welcoming the European Commission's market integration proposal and announcing an equity consolidated tape provider (CTP) selection. This matters for compliance professionals as it signals accelerating EU efforts to deepen capital markets integration, improve data transparency, and strengthen oversight under MiFID II and DORA, potentially requiring firms to adapt governance, reporting, and conflict management practices.
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What Changed
ESMA welcomes the European Commission's 4 December 2025 legislative package on market integration, emphasizing robust governance and market infrastructure for deeper EU capital markets.
Announcement of selected applicant for the equity consolidated tape provider (CTP), advancing MiFIR transparency for equity markets by improving post-trade data consolidation and access.
Publication of ESMA's final report on Regulatory Technical Standards (RTS) for non-equity transparency, clarifying pre- and pos
What You Need To Do
- Review the final non-equity transparency RTS and assess impacts on trading and reporting systems for compliance by any upcoming application dates (not specified)
- Evaluate MiFID II conflicts of interest policies in preparation for the CSA; conduct internal audits and enhance training/staff attestations on identification and mitigation
- Monitor equity CTP rollout for changes to post-trade data access and costs; update vendor contracts if applicable
- For DORA-impacted firms, map exposures to designated critical ICT providers and strengthen due diligence, contractual clauses, and exit strategies
- Asset managers
Key Dates
4 December 2025 - European Commission publishes market integration legislative package; legislative process expected to take at least one year.
23 December 2025 - Newsletter publication date.
Compliance Impact
Urgency: Medium - The newsletter highlights finalized standards (e.g., RTS, CTP) and imminent actions (e.g., CSA, DORA designations) that require proactive preparation, but lacks hard deadlines or immediate mandates. It matters because it previews intensified supervision on transparency, conflicts,
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ESMA publishes 2024 data on cross-border investment activity of firms 22 December 2025 Investor protection The European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA), the EU’s financial markets regulator and supervisor, in cooperation with National Competent Authorities (NCAs), completed an analysis of the cross-border provision of investment services in 2024 . Data was gathered from investment firms across 30 jurisdictions in the EU/EEA. The main findings include: Around 370 financial firms provid...
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New Q&As available 19 December 2025 Digital Finance and Innovation Fund Management Market Abuse Prospectus Sustainable finance The European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA), the EU's securities markets regulator, has published or updated the following Questions and Answers: Alternative Investment Fund Managers Directive (AIFMD) Directive Exclusion related to UNGC/OECD Guidelines (2734) Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) rating activities Regulation Group-affiliated small ESG ra...
ESMA published new Q&As on December 19, 2025, addressing practical implementation questions across multiple regulatory frameworks including AIFMD, ESG rating activities, and sustainable finance rules. These guidance documents clarify regulatory expectations and promote consistent supervisory approaches across EU member states, making them essential for firms operating in affected areas to ensure compliant implementation.
What Changed
The December 19, 2025 Q&A publication covers several regulatory domains:
AIFMD Exclusion Criteria: New guidance on the UNGC/OECD Guidelines exclusion (Q&A 2734), clarifying when alternative investment fund managers must apply exclusion-related requirements
ESG Rating Activities: Updated Q&As addressing regulatory requirements for ESG rating providers, including clarification on group-affiliated small ESG rating activities
Sustainable Finance: Continued development of guidance under SFDR and r
What You Need To Do
- *Immediate (0-30 days)
- *Short-term (1-3 months)
- level information
- advertised securities per Annex 21 requirements
Key Dates
19 December 2025 - ESMA published new Q&As across multiple regulatory domains
30 June 2025 - ESMA's final report on prospectus ESG disclosure requirements became effective (referenced in search results as June 6, 2025 publication date)
22 September 2025 - ESMA published updated consolidated Q&A on SFDR and Level 2 Regulation with new PAI disclosure guidance
17 October 2025 - ESMA updated MiCAR Q&As on execution service classification
2025 Q&As. Firms should consult ESMA's official guidance portal for specific transition periods.*
Compliance Impact
Urgency: HIGH
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ESMA selects EuroCTP to become the first Consolidated Tape Provider for shares and ETFs 19 December 2025 Press Releases Trading The European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA), the EU’s financial markets regulator and supervisor, has selected EuroCTP as the first Consolidated Tape Provider (CTP) for shares and exchange-traded funds (ETFs) in the EU, in a step forward for the transparency of equity markets in the EU. Natasha Cazenave, ESMA’s Executive Director, said: “Today’s announcement...
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ESMA reviews impact of Guidelines on ESG or sustainability related terms in fund names 17 December 2025 Risk monitoring Sustainable finance The European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA), the EU’s financial market regulator and supervisor, released research today assessing the impact of its fund naming guidelines on ESG and sustainability-related terms. The study found that ESMA’s Guidelines have: Improved consistency in the use of ESG terms by increasing alignment of fund names and the...
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