EU Contracts for Difference Product Intervention Measures to be Extended Again

The European Securities and Markets Authority has published a statement announcing that its various restrictions on the sale, distribution and marketing of contracts for difference to retail investors will be extended from February 1, 2019, for a further three months. ESMA has powers under the Markets in Financial Instruments Regulation to impose prohibitions or restrictions on certain financial instruments, financial activities or practices to address a significant investor protection concern in the European Union. Product intervention measures imposed by ESMA under MiFIR must be reviewed at appropriate intervals and at least every three months. If a measure is not renewed after three months, it will expire, and it would then fall to member states to impose similar restrictions at a national level, if they so wish.

ESMA considers that a significant investor protection concern in relation to retail clients still exists. Its statement confirms that the existing restriction, implemented on November 1, 2018, will be extended from February 1, 2019 for a further three months.

View ESMA's statement.

View details of the existing CfD restrictions.

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