The UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) published a new "Wholesale banks supervision" webpage which consolidates insights from the FCA's multi-firm and other supervisory work involving wholesale banks. The webpage covers a range of topics and the outcome of FCA multi-firm reviews, which we summarise here.

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The UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has published Primary Market Bulletin 57 (PMB 57), setting out updates to its technical notes to reflect the implementation of the new UK Listing Regime (UKLR). Specifically, the FCA finalises five technical notes following its April consultation in PMB 55 and reconsults on TN 710 ('Sponsor Services: Principles for Sponsors'), previously consulted on in PMB 48 and PMB 53, seeking to clarify the scope of 'preparatory work' and sponsor obligations under UKLR 4.

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Following its November 2024 consultation, the Bank of England (BoE) has published final fundamental rules for financial market infrastructure firms (FMIs), a supervisory statement setting out how the BoE expects FMI to comply with the rules and a final policy statement providing its responses to the feedback to the November proposals. FMIs include central counterparties (CCPs), central securities depositories (CSDs) and recognised payment system operators. The final rules take effect on 18 July 2026. In response to consultation feedback, the BoE makes refinements to the policy which include.

• Clarification that FMIs are not expected to take actions to mitigate systemic risk if doing so would compromise their own resilience.
• Increased emphasis on the importance of transparency between FMIs with their participants to enhance effective risk management.
• Clarification on the application of the fundamental rules to activities conducted at the group level.

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The Bank of England (BoE) has published a consultation paper on a draft statement of policy (SoP) outlining its proposed approach to permissions, waivers and supervisory processes for central counterparties (CCPs), systemic overseas CCPs, UK and third country central securities depositories (collectively referred to as FMI) and critical third parties designated by HM Treasury. The consultation paper sets out how FMI may apply for exemptions or modifications to BoE rules, including the criteria and transparency measures that will guide such decisions. Where there are subject-specific rules and the BoE has issued a related SoP, it proposes to apply the criteria set out in the rules and SoP when assessing permission applications. For rules without a dedicated SoP, BoE intends to assess applications against the statutory criteria for general modification and waiver powers.

The deadline for comments is 18 November. The draft SoP should be considered alongside those which are subject specific, published as part of the consultation on the new regulatory framework for CCPs.

The Bank of England (BoE) has published a consultation paper titled "Ensuring the resilience of CCPs" as part of a broader package of reforms aimed at strengthening the UK's regulatory framework for central counterparties (CCPs). The proposals follow the rule-making powers granted under the Financial Services and Markets Act 2023 and seek to restate the majority of CCP-facing provisions currently in the UK European Market Infrastructure Regulation (EMIR) in the BoE's rulebook.

The BoE intends to move four UK EMIR technical standards to its rulebook—Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) No 152/2013, Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) No 153/2013, Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 1249/2012 and Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 484/2014. For the most part, the BoE intends to restate the UK EMIR provisions. However, there are some areas where substantive policy changes are proposed which will impact CCPs and their clearing members and the clients of clearing members.

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ESMA has published its feedback statement on the outcome of its consultation on the private securitisation reporting regime. ESMA had previously consulted on introducing changes to the disclosure regime including in relation to a new, simpler, prescribed template. The feedback statement confirms that while respondents generally supported the idea of simplifying the disclosure framework, there was little appetite for proposed amendments to the relevant technical standard at this stage. In terms of next steps, ESMA does not intend to proceed with any further action until there is more clarity in respect of level 1 changes being made to the Securitisation Regulation (Regulation (EU) 2017/2402), which will come into force under the wider European securitisation reforms.

The Digitisation Taskforce has published its final report, recommending a three-step plan to modernise the UK shareholding framework by eliminating paper share certificates and transitioning to a fully digitised and intermediated system. The UK government published its response the same day, confirming it has accepted all recommendations as part of its broader Wholesale Financial Markets Digital Strategy. The first phase, to be completed by the end of 2027, will legislate to end the issuance of paper shares and require companies to replace paper share registers with digitised versions, with the precise date to be set by a newly established technical group. The second phase will focus on legislative and operational reforms to enhance shareholder rights within the intermediated system. The UK government also intends to amend legislation to allow shares in UK companies to be held on overseas branch registers in uncertificated form by Q2 2027, supporting UK firms listed in Hong Kong. The final phase will see all shares transitioned into the intermediated system, subject to government-set criteria, including protections for vulnerable and older investors. The technical group, led by an industry chair, will oversee implementation and develop a detailed roadmap, including terms of reference and a timeline for reporting back to government.

The UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has published final policy statement (PS25/9) to implement the new Public Offers and Admissions to Trading Regulations 2024 (POATRs), which will replace the UK Prospectus Regulation. The rules were previously consulted on in July 2024 and January of this year. The new POATR framework, which seeks to lower capital-raising costs and enhance the UK's regulatory competitiveness, includes the PRM sourcebook for admissions to trading on regulated markets and updates to the Market Conduct sourcebook for primary multilateral trading facilities (MTFs). It also makes changes to the UK Listing Rules and other related rulebooks.

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The UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has published final policy statement PS25/10, setting out the final rules for the new public offer platforms (POP) regime. This follows consultations in July 2024 and January of this year. The POP regime is part of the broader Public Offers and Admissions to Trading Regulations 2024 (POATRs), which will replace the UK Prospectus Regulation. It introduces a new regulated activity, enabling firms to raise over GBP5 million from a wide range of investors outside public markets, without needing to publish a full prospectus.

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The EU T+1 Industry Committee (the Industry Committee) held a summit, presenting its high-level roadmap for transitioning to a shorter T+1 securities settlement cycle, targeted for implementation by 11 October 2027. While there is no formal public consultation on the roadmap or report, there is a feedback phase to gather additional input from stakeholders that may support the Industry Committee's future work. The deadline for comments is 31 August. After the consultation period, firms are encouraged to begin preparing their transition strategies and allocating resources for system upgrades and testing throughout the remainder of the year.

The European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) has published a final report and press release, providing technical advice to the European Commission (EC) on narrowing the scope of the Central Securities Depositories Regulation (CSDR) cash penalties under the CSDR settlement discipline regime. CSDR Refit, which came into force in January 2024, referred to the need for the settlement discipline rules to be more operational and better tailored to diverse market operations and transactions. To this end, ESMA's report provides technical advice to the European Commission on the underlying causes of settlement fails which are considered not to be attributable to participants in the transaction, as well as circumstances which are not considered as trading, and which should therefore not be subject to settlement discipline measures.

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The European Commission (EC) has published a Securitisation package which aims to strengthen and simplify the EU securitisation framework. It is the first legislative initiative proposed under the Savings and Investments Union Strategy. The package consists of a proposal to amend the EU Securitisation Regulation (Regulation (EU) 2017/2402), a proposal to amend the Capital Requirements Regulation (CRR) as regards exposures to securitisations and a consultation on measures to amend the Liquidity Coverage Ratio (LCR) Delegated Regulation (Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2015/61). The proposal to amend the Securitisation Regulation seeks to simplify the existing due diligence rules with the aim of reduce duplicative and time-consuming requirements for investors. Verification of information will no longer be required regarding EU-based selling parties and low-risk investments guaranteed by multilateral development banks will be exempt from due diligence.

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The European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) has published a comprehensive set of principles, accompanied by a press release, aimed at strengthening the supervision of third-party risks across the EU financial sector. The principles are intended to guide national competent authorities (NCAs) in identifying, assessing and overseeing third-party risks for EU entities in the securities markets, in accordance with the relevant legal framework and the principle of proportionality. Aligned with international standards (IOSCO, FSB and BCBS), the principles apply to all third-party arrangements, whether the third party is intra-group or external, located within the EU or in a third country, and irrespective of the technology used. The fourteen principles are grouped into four thematic areas to support NCAs in exercising effective oversight and ensuring that entities appropriately manage third-party risks.

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The European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) has published two final reports providing technical advice to the European Commission (EC). The final report on prospectus regulation forms part of ESMA's technical advice under the EU Listing Act, which seeks to make EU capital markets more accessible, especially for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

The report covers:

• Draft technical advice on the standardised format and sequence of the prospectus, the base prospectus and the final terms.

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The Private Intermittent Securities and Capital Exchange System (Exemption from Stamp Duties) Regulations 2025 (SI 2025/666) have been published, alongside an explanatory memorandum. The regulations exempt the transfer of a share traded on a Private Intermittent Securities and Capital Exchange System (PISCES), under the PISCES sandbox arrangements, from all stamp duties. PISCES is an innovative type of market allowing private company shares to be traded intermittently, established under the financial market infrastructure sandbox legal framework prescribed by the Financial Markets and Services Act 2023 (FSMA 2023). The UK chancellor originally announced in the Autumn Budget 2024 that this exemption would be made. The intention of the exemption is to boost the attractiveness of PISCES for the duration of the sandbox, which is set at five years but may be extended by HM Treasury. The regulations will come into force on 3 July.

The UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has published final policy statement PS25/6, accompanied by a press release, setting out the final rules for the Private Intermittent Securities and Capital Exchange System (PISCES) sandbox arrangements, following its December 2024 consultation and April interim statement. PISCES is a new platform designed for intermittent trading of private company shares. The FCA aims for the rules to provide a consistent and coherent framework sandbox alongside the PISCES sandbox regulations. The FCA has confirmed it is not making material changes to the proposals but has incorporated various technical amendments consistent with its interim statement to the final rules.

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The UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has published a press release welcoming a joint statement from asset management trade associations supporting the transition to faster settlement of trades in funds. Effective from 11 October 2027, the settlement period for transactions in listed stocks and bonds in the UK, Switzerland and the EU will change to T+1, meaning trades will settle within one business day. The FCA acknowledges that the operational practicalities of fund settlement will not allow all authorised fund managers to offer T+1 settlement for units in funds. For UK authorised funds and recognised schemes, the FCA supports the recommendation of moving towards a T+2 settlement cycle to align with the consumer duty and better support retail investors in meeting their financial goals. The FCA states that funds currently operating on T+4 cycle should carefully consider how an extended gap between market settlement and fund unit settlement would impact investors. The FCA advises fund managers to begin planning early for the transition and notes that, going forward, any settlement period longer than two business days will require strong justification.

The UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has published two new webpages on the Private Intermittent Securities and Capital Exchange Systems (PISCES) sandbox, a new type of trading platform designed to enable intermittent trading of private company shares. This update follows the FCA's December 2024 consultation on the PISCES framework. The first webpage provides background on the regulatory framework—including who can operate and participate in a PISCES platform—and sets out the FCA's next steps, including plans to publish the final rules in June and run the sandbox to test the framework until June 2030. The second webpage offers guidance for firms seeking to apply to operate a PISCES platform within the sandbox, detailing the application process, eligibility criteria and regulatory expectations for firms. The FCA has opened a pre-application support process to assist prospective applicants ahead of the formal application process from June.

The UK Financial Services and Markets Act 2023 (Private Intermittent Securities and Capital Exchange System Sandbox) Regulations 2025 were published, alongside an explanatory memorandum. The Regulations largely reflect the draft Regulations published in November 2024. The Regulations establish the Private Intermittent Securities and Capital Exchange System (PISCES) Sandbox, a new innovative market for trading private company shares, using the Financial Market Infrastructure powers in the Financial Services and Markets Act 2023. The Regulations set the framework for potential PISCES operators to apply to the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), to operate intermittent trading events for participating private companies and investors.

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The European Parliament's Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs (ECON) has published a draft report (dated 13 May) and motion for a European Parliament resolution on improving access to finance for SMEs and scale-ups. The motion for a resolution has regard to various recent European Commission (EC) communications, including on the Savings and Investment Union (SIU) and competitiveness compass, and other key publications and reports such as the Draghi report and Letta report.

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The Council of the European Union has approved its position on the European Commission's (EC) proposal regarding a shorter settlement cycle, shortening the settlement period for transactions in transferable securities from two business days (T+2) to one business day after the trade date (T+1). The Council also amended the original proposal to provide for an exemption for securities financing transactions (SFTs) from the T+1 settlement cycle requirement due to their non-standardised nature and settlement periods. To prevent circumvention of the T+1 requirement, the exemption only applies if SFTs are documented as single transactions with two linked operations. Following this approval, trilogue negotiations with the European Parliament will begin. Once agreed, the new rules will apply from 11 October 2027.

The European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) has published its final report providing technical advice to the European Commission (EC) on changes made by the Listing Act to the Market Abuse Regulation (MAR) and the Markets in Financial Instruments Directive (MiFID II) in relation to small and medium enterprise (SME) growth markets. The Listing Act seeks to promote better access to public capital markets for EU companies, in particular SMEs, by simplifying requirements and reducing administrative burden. ESMA consulted on the advice in December 2024 and this final report includes feedback received in response to the consultation. Much of the MAR technical advice concerns the rules for disclosing inside information during a protracted process. It also covers the approach for identifying trading venues with a significant cross-border dimension under the new cross market order book mechanism (article 25a MAR). The MiFID technical advice concerns the category of multilateral trading facilities (MTF) labelled SME growth markets and the requirements that such an MTF (or MTF segment) must comply with under article 33 MiFID II. In giving its technical advice, ESMA suggests amendments to Commission Delegated Regulation 2017/565 (known as the MiFID Org Reg) or otherwise confirms its view where no amendments would be needed. The EC will adopt the delegated acts for which the technical advice was requested by July 2026.

The European Parliament's Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs (ECON) has published a report proposing amendments to the European Commission's proposal to amend Regulation (EU) No 909/2014 (CSDR) as regards shortening the securities settlement cycle in the EU from T+2 to T+1. The ECON amendments seek to address potential liquidity risks and the feasibility of further shortening to the cycle to T+0 which some jurisdictions have already adopted. The ECON proposal includes amendments in relation to an exemption for securities financing transactions as defined in Regulation (EU) 2015/2365 (SFTR) given the non-standardised nature of this specific type of transaction. Please also see above on the approval of the Council's position regarding the move to T+1 which also includes amendments to provide for an exemption for securities financing transactions.

The European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) has published its 2024 report, along with a press release, on the quality and use of data, showcasing significant increase in data use by authorities. The report covers datasets from the European Market Infrastructure Regulation (648/2012) (EMIR), the Securities Financing Transactions Regulation ((EU) 2015/2365) (SFTR), the Markets in Financial Instruments Regulation (600/2014) (MiFIR), the Securitisation Regulation (2017/2402/EU), the Alternative Investment Fund Managers Directive (2011/61/EU) (AIFMD) and the Money Market Funds Regulation ((EU) 2017/1131) (MMF Regulation). This edition also expands the scope to include the European Single Electronic Format (ESEF) data and short-selling data. The report is divided into different sections.

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The Financial Markets Standards Board (FMSB) has issued a Statement of Good Practice (SoGP) on the governance of sustainability-linked products (SLPs), along with a press release. SLPs are products where the financial and/or structural characteristics can vary depending on whether the user (i.e., borrower or issuer of, or counterparty to, SLPs) achieves specific sustainability or ESG objectives. They can be used for general corporate purposes, which allows many users (e.g., borrowers, issuers or counterparties to SLPs) to access the sustainable finance market in a more flexible way. With the growth of SLP issuances and accompanying concerns around the credibility of such instruments, the SoGP is intended to: (i) codify good practices for the governance of SLPs and (ii) support the adoption of consistent governance approaches across asset classes and jurisdictions. This is aimed to enhance the quality and integrity of SLPs; boost market confidence; help mitigate greenwashing risk; and support the development of a deeper, more robust sustainability-linked product market. The SoGP will apply to service providers (e.g., firms acting as sustainability-linked loan lenders, bookrunners or lead arrangers on a sustainability-linked bond issuance or counterparties to a sustainability-linked derivative) or users of SLPs in wholesale financial markets and to support, and be read in conjunction with, existing asset-class specific guidance (notably ICMA, LMA and ISDA principles).

The UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has published issue 55 of its Primary Market Bulletin (PMB 55). In PMB 55, the FCA: (i) provides feedback on its consultation in PMB 53, finalises 44 technical and procedural notes, and deletes 1 technical note and 1 procedural note (FG25/1); (ii) consults (GC25/1) on further proposed changes to guidance in its Knowledge Base for the listing regime. This follows the implementation of the new UK Listing Rules (UKLR), which came into force on 29 July 2024 (PS24/6). 

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The UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has published a consultation paper together with a related press release and webpage setting out further proposals on product information for Consumer Composite Investments (CCIs). The consultation paper follows the FCA's December 2024 consultation paper on a new product information framework for CCIs, which closed on 20 March.

The regime will apply in respect of a CCI which is or may be distributed to a retail investor in the UK and seeks to help consumers understand the products they are buying while giving firms flexibility to innovate. The proposals include: (i) removal of the requirement for firms to calculate and disclose implicit transaction costs as part of their CCI cost disclosures; (ii) alignment for CCI products of the pre- and post-sale cost disclosure requirements under the FCA Handbook Conduct of Business (COBS) rules derived from the MiFID Org Reg, to ensure no duplication or conflict in respect of investments within the scope of the CCI rules; (iii) proposed drafting on transitional provisions granting firms flexibility to move across to the new CCI regime when they are ready; and (iv) proposed consequential amendments to the FCA Handbook.

The CCI regime will replace the onshored Packaged Retail and Insurance-Based Investment Products regime. Responses to the consultation paper should be submitted by 28 May 2025.

The Financial Services Regulatory Initiatives Forum (the Forum) has published the Regulatory Initiatives Forum Grid (the Grid), with the UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) also updating its webpage. The previous Grid was due to be published in May 2024 but was postponed due to the General Election, meaning the Forum published only an interim update in October 2024.

The 2025 Grid sets out the regulatory pipeline for the next 24 months and reflects the reprioritisation that has taken place since the new government came into power. Notable initiatives include:

• motor finance commission review: the FCA intends to confirm, within six weeks of the Supreme Court's decision on past use of discretionary commission arrangements by motor finance firms, whether it will propose a redress scheme;
• liquidity risk management in funds: the FCA will consult on refined proposals regarding liquidity risk management in funds to implement FSB and IOSCO guidelines;
• Consumer Composite Investments (CCI) Regulation: the FCA published a second consultation paper on the new CCI regime on 16 April (see our update) and plans to issue a Policy Statement with final rules in late 2025;

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The UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has published an update on the Private Intermittent Securities and Capital Exchange System (PISCES) sandbox, following the consultation in December 2024 (CP24/29). PISCES will be a new platform designed for intermittent trading of private company shares. The FCA confirms that no major changes to the proposals on its 'private plus' approach are planned, given that it was largely supported by consultation respondents. The FCA also sets out a table of post-consultation changes it is proposing to assist potential operators of a PISCES to develop their own rulebooks and engage with participants. The changes outlined include:

• Clarification of core disclosures (including on financial information, employee share schemes and director transactions);
• Narrowing certain disclosure requirements (including, among others, on directors' transactions, material contracts or agreements, significant changes and post-trade events); and
• Removal of certain disclosure requirements (including on litigation, sustainability and forward-looking information).

Further changes include refined expectations around operator oversights, complaints handling and access to historic disclosures. The FCA also proposes setting a discretionary threshold of up to 25% to PISCES operators for identifying major shareholders. Final rules for PISCES will be set out in a policy statement expected to be published in June. In the meantime, the FCA will provide pre-application support and welcomes requests from prospective PISCES operators for preliminary feedback on their proposed models and draft rulebooks.

The European Central Bank (ECB) has published its opinion of 31 March on the proposal to shorten the securities settlement cycle from two business days (T+2) to one business day after trading takes place (T+1), by amending the Central Securities Depositories Regulation. The opinion was published in response to requests from the Council of the European Union and the European Parliament. The ECB confirms that it welcomes the proposed move to T+1, and notes that moving to T+1 would facilitate the objective of promoting settlement efficiency in the European Union (EU) and ensure the EU was aligned with other global jurisdictions such as the UK which have also moved, or are moving, to a shorter securities settlement cycle. The EU T+1 Industry Taskforce is currently working towards a T+1 go-live date of 11 October 2027.

The European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) has published its peer review report on national competent authorities' (NCAs) supervision of simple, transparent and standardised (STS) securitisations. The report looks into and provides recommendations on the supervisory approaches adopted by selected NCAs when supervising STS securitisation transactions and the activities of their originators, sponsors and securitisation special purpose entities. The Peer Review Committee recommends relevant NCAs scale up their approach to STS supervision, so that risks arising from these transactions are adequately identified, assessed and addressed. NCAs are encouraged to continue monitoring the evolution of their STS markets and to adapt their supervisory approach and resource allocation as needed. This is said to be particularly relevant in light of the ongoing fundamental review of the securitisation regulatory framework, with the aim to revive the securitisation market in the EU. ESMA expects to carry out a follow-up assessment in the future to evaluate progress made against the recommendations and track developments in STS supervision across jurisdictions.

The Council of the EU has announced that it has adopted at first reading the financial benchmarks regulation with the aim of reducing red tape for EU companies, particularly SMEs. The regulation amends the Benchmark Regulation (Regulation 2016/1011) (BMR) to reduce the regulatory burden on administrators of benchmarks defined as non-significant by removing them from the scope of the legislation. Critical or significant benchmarks will remain within the scope of the revised BMR. EU administrators that are out of scope will be able to opt-in, under certain conditions.

Additionally, the regulation will establish a revised framework for non-EU benchmark administrators to access the EU markets by, among other things, allowing for recognition without requiring equivalence. The European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) is granted supervisory powers over non-EU benchmark administrators, aligning ESMA's oversight across both the recognition and endorsement regimes.

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The European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) has published a statement confirming that national competent authorities do not expect central securities depositories (CSDs) to impose cash penalties under the Central Securities Depositories Regulation for settlement fails in EEA CSDs that occurred on 27 and 28 February 2025, in the wake of the T2S and T2 incident on 27 February. The incident meant that no settlement instructions, payment, ancillary system instructions or liquidity transfers between TARGET services could be processed for a number of hours. The incident had significant knock-on effects on the total number and value of settlement fails. Given this was a failure of infrastructure (which was a circumstance independent of the involved participants), it would not be justified to impose cash penalties.

The European Banking Authority has published a consultation on draft Regulatory Technical Standards (RTS) on the threshold of activity at which designated credit institutions and Central Securities Depositories (CSDs) providing 'banking-type ancillary services' to a designating CSD need to meet the prudential risk management requirements set out in Articles 54(4) and 54(4a) of the Central Securities Depositories Regulation (CSDR), together with an accompanying press release. Banking-type ancillary services include activities such as providing cash accounts to, and accepting deposits from, participants in a securities settlement system, and payment services involving processing of cash and foreign exchange transactions.

Article 1 of the draft RTS prescribes a formula to determine the threshold which takes into account: (i) the liquidity of the currencies for which commercial bank money (CoBM) settlement is offered; (ii) the number of settlement agents providing CoBM settlement to the designating CSD; (iii) the other roles that the settlement agents may have vis-à-vis the designating CSD (e.g., participants to the securities settlement systems); and (iv) the creditworthiness of the settlement agents. Depending on the liquidity of the currencies and on the characteristics of the settlement agents, the threshold can range from a minimum of 1.5% of the total value of all securities transactions against cash settled in the books of the CSD, calculated over a one-year period, and EUR3.75 bn, to a maximum of 2.5% and EUR6.25bn.

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The International Organization of Securities Commissions (IOSCO) has published a consultation report on neo-brokers, a subset of brokers which provide online-only investment services and do not operate physical branches. Neo-brokers rely on technology to facilitate their services, mainly providing access via mobile apps and websites, and have very limited or no human interaction with their retail customers. They have grown in recent years.

The consultation report sets out a series of findings from IOSCO members who reported on the activities of neo-brokers in their jurisdictions and also includes recommendations which member jurisdictions may consider applying. Two areas which require specific action are the potential risks of conflicts of interest, mainly due to business models inducing retail clients to trade more frequently and the need for solid IT infrastructure, given neo-brokers' online-only business models. The report lists a series of questions upon which feedback is welcomed, as well as any more general comments respondents may have on the proposed guidance in the report. Responses should be submitted on or before 12 May.

The International Organization of Securities Commissions (IOSCO) has published its 2025 Work Program, setting out its ongoing and planned initiatives for 2025. These include: (i) prioritising issues related to non-bank financial intermediation; (ii) developing measures to mitigate risks associated with pre-hedging practices employed by market intermediaries; (iii) conducting a series of targeted actions to tackle new risks to retail investors, including imitative and copy trading, poor digital engagement practices and finfluencer activities; (iv) launching a pilot crypto and digital assets implementation monitoring initiative to understand policy implementation among IOSCO member jurisdictions; (v) continuing work to strengthen the operational resilience of financial market infrastructures; and (vi) assisting with capacity building for jurisdictions that are seeking to adopt or apply the International Sustainability Standards Board standards, as well as those seeking to develop carbon markets in their jurisdictions.

The European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) has published technical standards in relation to the Central Securities Depositories Regulation (CSDR) Refit. There are three final reports with the draft technical standards that have been published. The first report covers the review and evaluation process of EU central securities depositories (CSDs), setting a harmonised approach for the information-sharing of CSDs and including a one-year implementation period for new reporting data that requires CSDs to update their processes (article 22 CSDR). The second report covers the assessment of whether an EU CSD in a host member state could be considered of substantial importance for the functioning of securities markets and investor protection (article 24a(13) CSDR). The third relates to notification requirements for third-country CSDs and aims to streamline the notification process (articles 25 and 69 CSDR). The final reports and draft technical standards have been submitted to the European Commission for adoption.

Representatives of the UK government and regulators spoke at the UK T+1 Accelerated Settlement Market industry event to confirm their support of the UK's move to a T+1 settlement cycle. The Economic Secretary to the Treasury confirmed that the government accepted the UK's Accelerated Settlement Taskforce's (AST) recommendation to move to T+1 on 11 October 2027. Mark Francis, Interim Director, Wholesale Sell-Side at the FCA and Sasha Mills, Executive Director, Financial Market Infrastructure at the Bank of England both gave speeches in support of the move and confirming regulatory expectation that the industry would work together to achieve this. In addition, on 19 February, the FCA published a new webpage, confirming that the FCA expects firms to engage with the recommendations of the AST to understand which are relevant for them, determine what is required to move to a T+1 settlement cycle, and plan early to deliver this transition. This can include budget considerations, operational systems changes and testing, agreements with third party providers and counterparty arrangements. The FCA may have discussions with firms directly or via trade associations to understand how firms are preparing for the deadline. Alongside their webpage, the FCA have also published a press release confirming their support.

HM Treasury (HMT) has published a response to UK's Accelerated Settlement Taskforce (AST) report recommending a plan for the UK to move to a T+1 settlement cycle for securities trades. HMT accepts the recommendation of 12 'critical' and 26 'highly recommended' actions to facilitate a successful transition to T+1 and will introduce legislation making this change. HMT further accepts the recommendation of T+1 coming into effect on Monday 11 October 2027 and will legislate for T+1 to be mandatory from this date forward. On this basis, firms should now begin preparations for 11 October 2027 to be the first day of trading under a T+1 standard. HMT is engaging with European partners to support aligning this outcome with the EU markets.

In addition, HMT has also published a policy paper on the Terms of Reference of the Accelerated Settlement Taskforce, confirming that they have accepted all recommendations made and to update the objectives and governance structure of the Taskforce as it moves into the next phase of its work. HMT also published a press release on the move to T+1 and the broader UK growth and competitiveness agenda.

The European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) has published a consultation paper containing draft guidelines on supplements which introduce new securities to a base prospectus. This is further to the new EU Listing Act provision at article 23(4a) of the Prospectus Regulation that a supplement cannot be used to introduce a new type of security for which the necessary information has not been included in the base prospectus, and ESMA's mandate under new article 23(8) to develop guidelines to specify the circumstances in which a supplement is to be considered a new type of security that is not already described in a base prospectus.

ESMA is proposing the draft Guidelines to align member state practice on when a supplement is to be considered to introduce a new type of security in view of longstanding divergence in the supervision of "product supplements" (meaning supplements considered to introduce a new type of security that is not already described in a base prospectus).

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The EU T+1 Coordination Committee has published its summary of a meeting held on 6 February 2025. At the meeting, the European Commission representative indicated that the proposal to amend EU CSDR to shorten the securities settlement cycle was expected to be adopted shortly. A key point raised by the chair of the Industry Committee was that the strong will of the Industry Committee to exempt securities financing transactions from the T+1 requirement, and that it was important for the EU to align with the UK on this point. The meeting also discussed the consultation paper (which was published on 13 February 2025) and the chair of the Industry Committee provided updates on the workstreams and workplan, and a timetable for deliverables.

The Accelerated Settlement Taskforce Technical Group has published an implementation plan for the UK's transition to T+1 settlement, including a recommendation that the UK moves to T+1 on 11 October 2027. This aligns with the EU's proposed implementation date for T+1 (as announced by ESMA on 18 November 2024). The plan recommends the proposed scope of changes to be made to the UK Central Securities Depositories Regulation to facilitate the UK's transition to T+1, whilst remaining flexible enough to accommodate additional jurisdictions which may choose to transition on the same date as the UK The plan includes a UK T+1 Code of Conduct containing the scope of T+1 (i.e., the categories of instruments and transactions to be covered and any exemptions) and a timetable of recommended actions to enhance market practices. It identifies 12 critical actions in various business areas to be implemented by market participants to ensure the transition plan is sustainable.

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has published a consultation paper (CP25/3) on further proposals to support the implementation and operation of the new public offer platforms (POP) regime. This regime is designed to facilitate companies making public offers of securities to a broad range of investors outside public markets when raising more than GBP5 million. The proposed regime for POPs is part of the new Public Offers and Admissions to Trading Regulations 2024 (POATRs), which were made in January 2024. The POATRs will replace the current UK Prospectus Regulation. CP25/3 aims to ensure a comprehensive set of regulatory requirements are in place for firms operating POPs when the regime comes into force, and to ensure that firms understand the FCA's proposed approach to authorising and supervising firms carrying on this new regulated activity. This consultation was published alongside the FCA's consultation paper on further changes to the public offers and admissions to trading (POAT) regime and the UK Listing Rules (UKLR). 

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The UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has published a consultation paper (CP25/2) on further changes to the public offers and admissions to trading (POAT) regime and the UK Listing Rules (UKLR). This was published alongside the FCA's consultation paper on proposed consequential changes and transitional arrangements in relation to the rules for firms seeking to operate a public offer platform. The proposals are designed to promote more efficient and effective capital raising for issuers and increase opportunities for investors. They also aim to complement the FCA's reforms to the UKLRs last year as part of ongoing work to ensure UK global competitiveness. The Public Offers and Admissions to Trading Regulations 2024 were made in January 2024, creating a new framework to replace the UK Prospectus Regulation and give the FCA greater discretion to set new rules.

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The European Commission has published a communication on a Competitiveness Compass for the EU, which sets out an action plan in response to the Draghi report published in September 2024. The communication sets out the framework for the Commission's work on competitiveness for the next five years and lists its initial priorities. One of the Commission's key aims is to reduce the regulatory burden, which for the financial services sector will include publishing, in February, the first of a series of Simplification Omnibus packages relating to sustainable finance reporting, sustainability due diligence and the sustainable finance taxonomy. Additionally in Q1 2025 the Commission will set a strategy on a Savings and Investments Union, followed by a set of specific proposals, which will aim to promote low-cost saving and investment products at EU level for retail investors. Longer term work includes removing barriers to consolidation of financial markets infrastructure and taxation barriers to cross-border investment, promoting the EU's securitization market, and pursuing the reform and harmonization of insolvency frameworks in the EU. A tentative agenda for forthcoming College of Commissioners' meetings indicates that the Commission will publish a communication on the Savings and Investments Union on March 19, 2025.

The Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Designated Activities) (Supervision and Enforcement) Regulations 2025 have been published, alongside an explanatory memorandum. The Regulations amend the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 to provide for the U.K. Financial Conduct Authority's supervision and enforcement of requirements imposed by the designated activity regime. The Regulations enable the FCA to supervise designated activities by gathering information and launching investigations into persons carrying out designated activities, and to enforce its designated activity rules by publicly censuring or imposing financial penalties on persons that breach them. It also sets out the procedures that will apply to the giving of directions by the FCA relating to designated activities. In the first instance, the Regulations apply this supervision and enforcement framework to the Consumer Composite Investments (Designated Activities) Regulations 2024 and the Short Selling Regulations 2025. The stated intention is that the framework would also be extended to any future designated activities. The Regulations were made on January 13, 2025, and came into effect on January 14, 2025.

The Short Selling Regulations 2025 were made and published on legislation.gov.uk, alongside an explanatory memorandum. The regulations replace assimilated law (including the U.K. Short Selling Regulation) and establish a new legislative framework for the regulation of short selling, creating designated activities for short selling, giving the U.K. Financial Conduct Authority rulemaking powers related to those activities, and powers to intervene in exceptional circumstances. The instrument restates core definitions relevant to the short selling regime and grants the FCA broad rulemaking powers, including the ability to set requirements like restrictions on uncovered short selling. It also restates the requirement for firms to notify the FCA of net short positions above 0.2% of issued share capital. HM Treasury retains the power to amend this threshold, but the FCA may require notifications at a different threshold in exceptional circumstances. Regulations 1–6, 8, 9 and 11 came into force on January 14, 2025. The remaining provisions came into force on the same date to the extent required to enable the FCA to give guidance or issue statements of policy. So far as they are not already in force, the remaining regulations will come into force on the day on which the revocation of the U.K. SSR comes into force under FSMA 2023.

The U.K. Financial Conduct Authority has published a consultation on a new product information framework for Consumer Composite Investments. The regime will apply in respect of a CCI which is or may be distributed to a retail investor in the U.K. and seeks to help consumers understand the products they are buying while giving firms flexibility to innovate. The proposals aim to simplify existing requirements, enable better digital communications, and ensure consistency and comparability across the market. The new regime aligns with the Consumer Duty, prioritizing good consumer outcomes. Through the new regime, the FCA wants consumers to: (i) be presented with information that is accurate, understandable, and broadly comparable; (ii) engage with product information and use it in their decision-making process; and (iii) be able to compare investments more effectively and find the best product for their needs more easily. The deadline for comments is March 20, 2025. The FCA plans to publish a further consultation with draft rules for consequential amendments and transitional provisions in early 2025. The FCA also plans to issue a policy statement and final rules in 2025.

The U.K. Financial Conduct Authority has published a consultation on the regulatory framework for the Private Intermittent Securities and Capital Exchange System (PISCES), the proposed new platform for trading shares in private companies. The draft legislation implementing the PISCES sandbox ( the Financial Service and Markets Act 2023 (Private Intermittent Securities and Capital Exchange System Sandbox) Regulations 2025 were published in November 2024. The consultation contains the FCA's proposed rules and guidance for the PISCES sandbox, as well as alternative options the FCA considered in its policy development process.

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The Financial Markets Standards Board has published a consultation on its transparency draft of its statement of good practice on the governance of sustainability-linked products. SLPs are products whose financial and/or structural characteristics can vary depending on whether the user (i.e., borrower or issuer of, or counterparty to, SLPs) achieves specific sustainability or ESG objectives. They can be used for general corporate purposes, which allows many users (e.g., borrowers, issuers, or counterparties to sustainability-linked products) to access the sustainable finance market in a more flexible way. The FMSB's statement is intended to codify good practice for the governance of SLPs and support consistent approaches across asset classes and jurisdictions. It is hoped this will enhance the quality and integrity of SLPs; boost market confidence; help mitigate greenwashing risk; and support the development of a deeper, more robust sustainability-linked product market. The statement of good practice is intended to apply to service providers (e.g., firms acting as sustainability-linked loan lenders, bookrunners, or lead arrangers on a sustainability-linked bond issuance or counterparties to a sustainability-linked derivative) or users of SLPs in wholesale financial markets and to support, and be read in conjunction with, existing asset-class specific guidance (notably ICMA, LMA, and ISDA principles). The deadline for comments is February 21, 2025.