On September 30, 2026, the European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) submitted its feedback to the European Commission regarding the review of the Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (MiCA). The regulator is seeking expanded enforcement powers to address concerns over speed in handling criminal activities and unauthorized operations.
The proposed measures include the authority to freeze crypto assets based on reasonable grounds related to financial crimes. Additionally, ESMA aims to grant national regulators the power to block websites associated with scams and to implement immediate bans on misleading marketing practices within the digital asset sector.
ESMA also addressed the presence of non-EU companies targeting European investors without proper MiCA authorization. The agency suggests implementing measures to restrict these firms, which could potentially reduce competition for licensed providers operating within the European Union.
These recommendations are currently part of an ongoing review by the European Commission. The proposals are not yet law and remain subject to broader discussions regarding the potential centralization of supervisory responsibilities across the EU financial regulatory framework.
