Narita Woods

May 1, 2024 | lexology.com | David Naughton |Narita Woods

A Consideration of Some Legal, Regulatory and Market Trends. The legal and regulatory sphere for digital assets is changing at pace. Technological advances and consumer demand are pushing the Central Bank of Ireland to develop enhanced frameworks to facilitate investment in this asset class. At EU level, the focus is on developing a harmonised approach, with the much-anticipated Markets in Crypto Assets Regulation (MiCAR) coming into force later this year.

Nov 9, 2023 | lexology.com | David Naughton |David Williams |Katrina Smyth |Narita Woods |Mina Dawood

Tackling greenwashing is one of the key priorities in ESMA’s Strategy on Sustainable Finance. Assessing how investment funds promote themselves (through their names and ocumentation) and investigating whether issuers benefit from an ESG pricing effect are important first steps in detecting and monitoring greenwashing in the EU funds industry, according to ESMA.

Jul 31, 2023 | lexology.com | David Naughton |David Williams |Katrina Smyth |Narita Woods |Mina Dawood

The Markets in Crypto Assets Regulation (MiCA) entered into force in June 2023. It creates a common set of rules applicable to issuers and offerors of crypto-assets as well as those looking to engage in the provision of regulated crypto-asset services in the EU (such as crypto-exchanges).

Jun 14, 2023 | lexology.com | David Naughton |David Williams |Katrina Smyth |Narita Woods |Mina Dawood

A Retail Investment Package was adopted by the European Commission on 24 May 2023, which focuses on investor protection. It is hoped that the Package will empower retail investors (or consumer investors) to invest with confidence in EU capital markets. The Package includes proposals for wide-ranging changes to a number of EU Directives with a particular focus on value for money and inducements.

Apr 27, 2023 | lexology.com | David Naughton |David Williams |Katrina Smyth |Narita Woods |Mina Dawood

ESMA recently published updated versions of four Q&As.The updated Q&As relate to the following areas:Application of the AIFMD. The European crowdfunding service providers for business Regulation. Application of the EuSEF and EuVECA Regulations. Implementation of the Regulation (EU) No 909/2014 on improving securities settlement in the EU and on central securities depositories.