Bank of France pushes EU to grant ESMA direct crypto oversight under MiCA

The Bank of France intensifies pressure on the European Union to grant direct cryptocurrency oversight powers to the European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) under the Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) regulation framework. This strategic push aims to centralize crypto supervision across major digital asset service providers operating within EU jurisdictions.

The French central bank's renewed advocacy highlights growing regulatory momentum surrounding cryptocurrency governance as Bitcoin, Ethereum, and other digital assets gain mainstream adoption. By empowering ESMA with direct supervisory authority over crypto-asset firms, the EU would establish unified oversight mechanisms for blockchain-based financial services, potentially impacting DeFi protocols and cryptocurrency exchanges operating across member states.

This regulatory development could significantly influence cryptocurrency market dynamics, as centralized ESMA oversight may introduce standardized compliance requirements for digital asset providers. The proposal reflects European policymakers' commitment to balancing cryptocurrency innovation with investor protection and financial stability.

Market participants should monitor these MiCA implementation discussions closely, as enhanced regulatory clarity could affect cryptocurrency trading volumes, institutional adoption rates, and cross-border blockchain operations throughout European markets. The Bank of France's persistent advocacy signals potential major shifts in EU cryptocurrency regulation enforcement.