Month: November 2025

EU To Centralize Financial Oversight As IMF Warns on Crypto Risks

The post EU To Centralize Financial Oversight As IMF Warns com. The European Commission has announced plans for significant reforms to centralize supervision of financial services. The Commission intends to regulate stock exchanges, clearinghouses, and cryptocurrency exchanges. This aligns with its goal of completing the Capital Markets Union. At the same time, the IMF has raised concerns about the rapid growth of stablecoins. The IMF has also emphasized the increased risk posed by fintech and big tech firms in global financial intermediation. According to the Financial Times, the Commission’s reform also plans to expand the European Securities and Markets Authority’s (ESMA) powers. ESMA will gain direct supervisory authority over stock exchanges and clearinghouses. This means that crypto asset service providers will now be subject to ESMA supervision as well. The reform will target large financial institutions that operate across member states. The proposal aims to reduce regulatory fragmentation across member states and enhance the competitiveness of the EU. ESMA to Gain SEC- ESMA would also have the power to resolve disputes between national regulators and large asset managers through binding decisions. Germany has expressed support for the proposal, whereas Luxembourg and Ireland are more cautious. They are concerned about surrendering national control and the potential for a disproportionate impact on smaller financial sectors. Industry organizations have also raised concerns about higher compliance costs and the possibility of ESMA overreaching its expectations. The Commission continues to examine alternative supervision models, working towards finding the appropriate balance between EU-wide interests and local area expertise. The reforms are part of broader efforts to enhance the competitiveness of the EU and harmonize its financial markets. If enacted, these reforms could change.