ESMA signals end of MiCA grace period
The transition deadline came to an end of 1 July 2026, and will also mean non-EU entities cannot provide crypto-asset services to EU clients, nor can certain services be outsourced to unauthorised firms.
Regulation
Bank of England continuing with proposals to cap hedge fund leveraging in UK gilt markets
The plans come following recent market shifts and turbulence, such as the Middle East conflict, and aim to curb risk posed by a small number of firms holding concentrated positions and triggering destabilising cross-market unwinds.
ESMA finalises recommendations to streamline EU transaction reporting
The proposed recommendations will operate as a ‘report once’ single integrated framework spanning Mifir, EMIR and SFTR; the regulatory body has indicated that it could deliver up to €1 billion in annual net savings.
SEC eyes market structure shake-up with key Regulation NMS amendments
The proposals specifically focus on rules 611 and 610 (e), which span the ‘trade-through rule’ and ‘locked’ and ‘crossed’ market restrictions, and aim to better align regulation with modernising US equity markets.
Strengthening testing and approval workflows amid algo trading recommendations from industry body
The proposals from the FIX Trading Community come as a growing proportion of firms seek greater transparency into how and why their algorithms behave under different market conditions.
Virtu receives MiCA license for regulated digital asset services across all 27 EU member states
The license – granted via Virtu’s Irish subsidiary – will allow the firm to offer a suite of regulated crypto-asset services under a single framework, including trading and liquidity provision capabilities.
ETS Connect UK wins out following FCA bond consolidated tape authorisation
The authorisation marks the culmination of the consolidated tape's regulatory process; Etrading Software was granted a £4.8 million contract by the FCA to deliver the tape back in September 2025.
B2C2 becomes first OTC liquidity provider to receive CASP authorisation
The MiCA license, granted by Luxembourg’s Commission de Surveillance du Secteur Financier (CSSF) will allow the firm to expand its European footprint across OTC spot trading operations.
Blue Ocean faces half a million dollar fine for supervisory and compliance failures
The firm has submitted a letter of Acceptance, Waiver and Consent (AWC) to FINRA in response to alleged violations which include failure to detect market manipulation on its overnight session, spanning spoofing, layering and further manipulative order entry patterns.
Marex receives regulatory approval to expand into Australian structured products
Specifically, the build out is expected to bolster Marex’s footprint in Australian markets and enhance its current OTC hedging capabilities.