Business · Markets · 2 days ago
EU countries back stronger shared oversight of major financial markets
EU finance ministers have backed a plan to give the EU’s markets watchdog, ESMA, more power to oversee major financial businesses that operate across borders.
ESMA is based in Paris, while most financial-market supervision currently rests with national authorities.
The plan covers certain trading venues, crypto-service providers and securities depositories, which hold and transfer securities.
It is part of the EU’s effort to link national capital markets more closely and encourage private investment.
Supporters say more consistent oversight could strengthen trust in markets and help create conditions for investment.
Deutsche Börse’s trading activities are not expected to fall under the new rules at first.
The EU countries must now negotiate the plan with the European Parliament, and the European Commission would review the eligibility criteria every two years.
EU countries have backed stronger European oversight of major cross-border financial firms and markets.
Finance ministers meeting in Luxembourg supported transferring some supervisory powers to ESMA, the EU markets authority based in Paris.
The proposed oversight would cover certain trading venues, crypto-service providers and central securities depositories.
The move is intended to strengthen market confidence and support the EU’s capital markets union.
EU countries must still negotiate the proposal with the European Parliament.
- Who
- EU member states’ finance ministers backed the plan. The proposed supervisor is ESMA.
- What
- They supported transferring some oversight of significant cross-border financial actors to ESMA.
- When
- At a meeting in Luxembourg reported on October 9, 2026.
- Where
- Luxembourg; ESMA is based in Paris.
- Why
- To strengthen market confidence and support the integration of Europe’s capital markets.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
We want more investment and secure jobs in Europe, and for that we need more investment and an environment that makes it possible.
We want more investment and secure jobs in Europe, and for that we need more investment and an environment that makes it possible.
A very important and significant step.
A very important and significant step.
The European Commission put forward the proposal that forms the basis for the agreement.
Germany, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland and Spain agreed on a joint position on financial supervision.
EU finance ministers meeting in Luxembourg backed stronger European oversight of major cross-border financial actors.
EU countries must negotiate the proposal with the European Parliament.
- Proposed supervisor
- ESMA, based in Paris
- Potentially covered
- Certain trading venues, crypto-service providers and central securities depositories
- Review interval
- The European Commission would reassess the criteria every two years.
- Deutsche Börse
- Its trading activities are not expected to fall under the proposed rules for now.
- Next step
- Negotiations with the European Parliament
Sources
Related news
European stocks fall further behind Wall Street as energy and debt concerns grow
ECB may launch new long-term bank funding operations in 2027
Global PC shipments fell 20% in the third quarter of 2026
Bond Selloff Could Reduce Need for Central Bank Rate Hikes
Tesla renames its European driver-assistance system after regulator criticism
SoftBank seeks up to $100 billion from Gulf investors for AI
VW chief urges France and Germany to work together on China car competition
Energy leaders meet in Riyadh to discuss supply security and markets
IMF and World Bank to discuss global economic risks in Bangkok
IMF and World Bank to warn central bankers of gathering storm
IEA urges members to consider releasing more diesel from strategic reserves
