ESMA Publishes Guidelines on Staff Competence in Crypto-Asset Services

Frankfurt, 17 July 2025 – The European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) has issued final guidelines outlining the knowledge and competence criteria for staff at crypto-asset service providers (CASPs) who provide advice or information under the Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (MiCA). The guidelines specify minimum standards through examples of required qualifications and experience. They also address key risks in the crypto-asset sector, such as volatility and cybersecurity threats. These measures are intended to ensure that CASPs act in the best interest of clients and support investor confidence in digital finance markets. Following public consultation, including input from the Securities and Markets Stakeholder Group (SMSG), ESMA incorporated stakeholder feedback into the final version.

The guidelines will become effective six months after their publication in all EU official languages. Competent authorities must notify ESMA within two months of that date regarding their compliance status.

Disclaimer

This article is a summarized version of a public release issued by the European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) on 11 July 2025. The summary is intended solely to inform about current developments under the MiCA regulation. All rights to the original content remain with ESMA. LPA Lucht Probst Associates does not claim ownership of the source material and has published this information solely for informational and educational purposes, in compliance with applicable intellectual property and publication guidelines. For the original publication, visit: https://www.esma.europa.eu