European Union: Securities

There have been several notable developments under the EU Market Abuse Regulation (MAR) in recent months. This article provides a brief overview of the key changes and their practical implications.

The Central Bank of Ireland has published findings from its thematic assessment of compliance functions within MiFID investment firms, revealing both strengths and critical gaps in how firms manage regulatory obligations. The assessment examined firms' adherence to compliance requirements, monitoring processes, and board reporting practices, identifying specific areas where improvements are urgently needed. Firms are now expected to conduct self-assessments and address identified deficiencies promptly.

European financial regulators are advancing major reforms across sustainable finance disclosure, investment firm risk management, and ESG ratings oversight. From stricter sustainability reporting requirements under SFDR 2.0 to streamlined fund reporting frameworks and new endorsement rules for third-country ESG ratings, these developments signal a significant shift in regulatory expectations for asset managers, investment firms, and rating providers operating in EU markets.

This May 2026 edition of Funds Focus examines critical regulatory developments affecting asset management and investment funds, including Ireland's implementation of AIFMD II legislation and the Central Bank of Ireland's latest guidance on board effectiveness and liquidity management tools. The update also covers significant enforcement actions and European regulatory harmonization efforts that will shape fund management practices in the coming months.

When a contractor faces financial distress, companies often make direct payments to the contractor's upstream suppliers to maintain supply chain continuity.

Cyprus-based forex and CFD brokers increasingly employ misleading practices that result in substantial retail investor losses, despite operating under EU regulatory frameworks.

Le Conseil d'État précise les modalités d'appréciation du seuil de 10% conditionnant le report d'imposition des plus-values lors d'apports de titres multiples à une société contrôlée. Lorsque l'acte d'apport individualise les valorisations et stipule des soultes distinctes pour certains apports, le seuil s'apprécie apport par apport et non globalement.

On 19th February 2026, the European Securities and Markets Authority ("ESMA") published a consultation paper proposing amendments to its Guidelines on the delay in the disclosure...

The European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) has launched a consultation on amendments to its guidelines on the delayed disclosure of inside information under the Market Abuse Regulation (MAR), ...