The European Commission is preparing to establish a single supervisor for crypto and securities markets, mirroring the U.S. SEC model.
The European Commission is moving to centralize oversight of financial infrastructures across the continent. According to the Financial Times, the upcoming proposal—expected in December—will bring crypto exchanges, securities markets, and clearing houses under one regulatory framework aimed at reducing market fragmentation and boosting Europe’s competitiveness.
Under the plan, the European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) would be granted expanded powers to act as a single supervisory body similar to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. This would allow cross-border institutions to operate across the EU without having to obtain separate licenses in each member state.
European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde and former ECB chief Mario Draghi are strong supporters of the initiative, viewing it as a crucial step toward completing the Capital Markets Union. The Commission is also expected to introduce new proposals on asset tokenization and the digital euro (CBDC) in December, with the goal of final approval by the European Parliament and Council by 2026.
