The European Securities and Markets Authority is an independent EU authority that contributes to safeguarding the stability of the European Union's financial system. ESMA enhances investor protection and promotes stable and orderly financial markets across all 27 EU member states. While ESMA does not directly license individual firms, its binding product intervention measures — including leverage limits and negative balance protection — apply across the entire EU.
About ESMA
The European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) is an independent authority established in 2011 as part of the European System of Financial Supervision. ESMA's mission is to enhance investor protection and promote stable, orderly financial markets across the European Union. While individual firms are licensed by national regulators (such as CySEC, BaFin, or the AMF), ESMA sets harmonised rules that all EU regulators must enforce.
Product Intervention
ESMA has exercised its product intervention powers to impose EU-wide restrictions on the marketing, distribution, and sale of CFDs and binary options to retail clients. These measures include leverage caps ranging from 1:30 for major currency pairs to 1:2 for cryptocurrencies, mandatory negative balance protection, and standardised risk warnings on all marketing materials.
- EU-wide leverage restrictions for retail CFD and forex trading
- Standardised risk warnings and marketing restrictions
- Product intervention powers across all EU member states
- Coordination of national regulators for consistent enforcement
| Instrument | Retail | Professional |
|---|---|---|
| Major Forex | 1:30 | 1:500 |
| Minor Forex | 1:20 | 1:400 |
| Gold | 1:20 | 1:400 |
| Indices | 1:20 | 1:400 |
| Shares CFDs | 1:5 | 1:200 |
| Crypto | 1:2 | 1:50 |
Passporting Regions
ESMA sets harmonised rules enforced by national regulators. Does not directly license individual firms.
Related Regulators
FCA
AAATier 1Financial Conduct Authority
The Financial Conduct Authority is the principal regulatory body overseeing financial markets in the United Kingdom. Established in 2013 as a successor to the Financial Services Authority, the FCA operates independently of the UK Government and is funded entirely by fees charged to the firms it regulates. It supervises over 50,000 financial services firms and maintains one of the most rigorous compliance frameworks in the global financial industry.
FINMA
AAATier 1Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority
The Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority is Switzerland's independent financial markets regulator. Established in 2009 by merging three predecessor agencies, FINMA oversees banks, insurance companies, stock exchanges, securities dealers, and collective investment schemes. FINMA is widely recognised as the most respected regulatory body in continental Europe, and its requirement that forex brokers register as banks places it among the strictest regulators globally.
CySEC
AATier 2Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission
The Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission is the independent public supervisory authority responsible for the supervision of the investment services market and transactions in transferable securities in the Republic of Cyprus. As an EU member state regulator, CySEC-authorised firms benefit from MiFID II passporting rights, enabling them to offer services across the entire European Economic Area.
BaFin
AATier 2Federal Financial Supervisory Authority
The Bundesanstalt für Finanzdienstleistungsaufsicht (BaFin) is Germany's integrated financial regulatory authority. Established in 2002 through the merger of three predecessor agencies, BaFin supervises over 2,700 banks, 800 financial services institutions, and 700 insurance companies, making it one of Europe's most significant financial supervisors.
MFSA
ATier 2Malta Financial Services Authority
The Malta Financial Services Authority is the single regulator for financial services in Malta. Established in 2002, the MFSA oversees banking, financial services, insurance, and pensions. As a full EU member state regulator, MFSA-licensed firms benefit from MiFID II passporting across the European Economic Area.
AMF
AATier 2Autorité des Marchés Financiers
The Autorité des Marchés Financiers is France's financial markets regulator, established in 2003. Together with the ACPR (Autorité de Contrôle Prudentiel et de Résolution), the AMF forms the dual regulatory system overseeing the French financial services sector. The AMF is particularly noted for its proactive stance in maintaining and publishing blacklists of unauthorised firms.