Laws and Regulations

Luxembourg has proposed a groundbreaking law enabling the use of blockchain technology in investment funds, aiming to solidify its position as a global financial leader.

Sebastiaan Hooghiemstra at Loyens & Loeff reviews the opinion tabled by the EU’s supervisory agencies on SFDR as a possible labelling regime, and finds that the question on whether “Article 8” and “Article 9” products should be abolished, is not yet off the table.

Luxembourg has decided to establish a special anti-money laundering (AML) unit within its tax administration following parliamentary approval. The head of financial supervisor CSSF, meanwhile, expressed his concern over the use of ‘outdated systems’ at the AML teams of asset and wealth management firms.

A lack of reliable Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) data is significantly hindering the implementation of the European Union’s sustainable finance regulations, according to a survey by the CFA Institute.

At the recent AFME European Sustainable Finance Conference in Amsterdam, Investment Officer spoke to both Helena Viňes Fiestas, chair of the EU Platform on Sustainable Finance, and Raoul Köhler, Sustainable Finance Coordinator at the AFM.

Investors in European ESG funds could be in for a rude awakening as new guidelines from the European Securities and Markets Authority (Esma) threaten to upend the industry, according to Morningstar.

Transcript of the interview with Esma Chair Verena Ross.

Unlike in the United States and Australia, greenwashing in Europe’s financial sector remains largely unpunished, even though existing legislation allows national regulators to take action against firms that mislead investors.

The European Securities and Markets Authority (Esma) issued a warning on Thursday, advising the financial sector to exercise caution in the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in investment services.

While AI promises to revolutionise the retail investment sector with enhanced efficiency and innovation, Esma highlights the significant risks associated with its adoption, urging for responsible innovation and investor protection.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is reshaping the financial landscape with promises of efficiency, innovation, and superior decision-making capabilities. However, as the European Securities and Markets Authority (Esma) warned this week, the integration of AI in investment services comes with significant risks. Like a double-edged sword, AI’s greatest strengths can become its most dangerous liabilities if not handled with care.