ESMA Publishes New Q&As for July 2026
The European Securities and Markets Authority has released Q&As on MiCA, ESG, and MiFIR, effective from July 10, 2026.
The European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) launched a new set of questions and answers on July 10, 2026. These cover regulations on ESG, the Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (MiCA), and the Markets in Financial Instruments Regulation (MiFIR). The Q&As provide additional clarity for market participants.
ESG Regulation and Sustainable Finance
Within recent publications, ESG ratings regulation is a priority. ESMA has issued clarifications on consultancy activities towards investors and the two-business-day notification periods. These periods are crucial to ensure that errors in datasets are timely reviewed and corrected.
Key Details
- Review of factual errors
- Obligation to consider issuer feedback
The ESG ratings within internal financial services were also addressed, highlighting the importance of transparency and compliance in the industry.
Developments under MiCA
The Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (MiCA) introduces measures for Authorized Crypto-Asset Service Providers (CASP). These will cover the custody and administration of crypto-assets in relation to other assets issued after a public offering. These regulations clearly specify how they compare to MiFID II advice.
Questions Addressed
- Definition of crypto-asset lending services under MiCA.
- The perimeter of advice under MiCA is detailed next.
Updates in MiFIR
For the Markets in Financial Instruments Regulation (MiFIR), the new sections cover Consolidated Tape Providers, including order timestamping and the participation option regime. This is part of an ongoing effort to enhance efficiency in secondary markets.
Importance of the Publications
ESMA's publications are essential for guiding European markets towards greater regulatory clarity and transparency. The commitment to keeping market participants well-informed contributes to strengthening the EU's financial environment.
In summary, these new Q&As from ESMA are a vital resource to ensure compliance and clarity in key areas such as ESG, crypto-assets, and MiFIR. Businesses should review these documents to align their operations with current regulatory requirements.
Tags
About the author
Miguel Sandoval
Regulatory Affairs Correspondent
Miguel Sandoval tracks gambling legislation, licensing, and regulator enforcement — from Spain's DGOJ and the Latin American authorities to the UKGC, the MGA, and the state-by-state map in North America. The reports answer three questions precisely — what changed, where, and who it affects — with jurisdictions, dates, and penalties cited exactly as published. Operators and compliance officers read Miguel Sandoval to know which rulebook moved before their next meeting.
More from Miguel Sandoval
