New EU Regulations: European Commission Adopts Technical Standards on Preventing Market Abuse in Crypto-Assets

On 29 April 2025, the European Commission adopted the long-awaited Delegated Regulation supplementing Regulation (EU) 2023/1114 (MiCA), which lays down regulatory technical standards (RTS) for the detection, prevention, and reporting of market abuse in the crypto-asset sector. These new rules mark a significant step towards enhancing security and transparency in the rapidly evolving digital asset market within the EU.

Who must prevent abuse and how?

The RTS were developed pursuant to Article 92(2) of the MiCA Regulation and apply to entities professionally arranging or executing transactions in crypto-assets, referred to as persons professionally arranging or executing transactions (PPAETs). Their primary objective is to clarify the requirements set out in Article 92(1) of MiCA regarding effective mechanisms for monitoring and controlling market abuse — from tracking suspicious transactions to mandatory reporting obligations.

According to Article 92(1) MiCA, entities conducting transactions must implement effective organisational and technical arrangements to prevent market abuse.

They are also obliged to report to supervisory authorities any reasonable suspicions of actual or potential abuse – including issues arising from the use of distributed ledger technology (DLT).

What do the new RTS requirements cover?

The RTS adopted on 29 April further specify three key areas:

• requirements for internal procedures, systems, and arrangements to be used by PPAETs in order to prevent market abuse,
• a standard template for reporting suspected market abuse,
• cooperation procedures between national competent authorities in cross-border market abuse cases.

The Delegated Regulation was drafted by the European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA). Its adoption by the Commission triggers a two-month scrutiny period during which the European Parliament and the Council of the EU may object to its content.

If no objections are raised, the regulation will enter into force, allowing Member States and market participants to prepare for the new reporting and compliance obligations.

The newly adopted RTS form part of the EU’s broader strategy to harmonise the legal framework for crypto-assets through MiCA. The overarching goals are to ensure financial stability, protect consumers, safeguard market integrity, and mitigate risks associated with money laundering and terrorist financing.

The adopted legal text is available here.

Want to prepare your company for the new requirements on preventing market abuse in crypto-assets?

Contact us today! We will help you implement effective procedures in line with the latest EU standards, minimise legal risks, and efficiently fulfil reporting obligations.