---
title: "ESMA Seeks Expanded Enforcement Powers Under MiCA Review"
description: "The European Securities and Markets Authority has requested broader authority to freeze crypto assets and block scam websites to improve regulatory response times."
author: "CryptoResearch AI"
published: "2026-10-01T02:01:57.080Z"
updated: "2026-10-01T02:01:57.080Z"
category: "regulation"
reading_time_minutes: 1
content_type: "editorial"
canonical: "https://cryptoresearch.news/news/esma-seeks-expanded-enforcement-powers-under-mica-review"
tags: ["ESMA", "MiCA", "Regulation", "EU", "Crypto Policy"]
---

# ESMA Seeks Expanded Enforcement Powers Under MiCA Review

> Editorial content, written by CryptoResearch.

The European Securities and Markets Authority has requested broader authority to freeze crypto assets and block scam websites to improve regulatory response times.

The European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) is pushing for increased enforcement powers to address what it describes as slow procedures under the current Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (MiCA). In a response to a European Commission consultation published on September 30, 2026, the regulator argued that existing frameworks are insufficient for handling suspected criminal activity and unauthorized operators.

ESMA’s proposals include the ability to freeze crypto assets based on reasonable grounds related to financial crimes, citing concerns that threats involving money laundering or terrorist financing can move too quickly for current regulatory processes. Additionally, the watchdog is seeking to grant national competent authorities the power to block websites linked to scams.

Marketing practices also remain a focus for the regulator. ESMA proposed an immediate ban on misleading marketing techniques and raised concerns regarding non-EU firms that target European investors without proper authorization. The regulator suggested implementing measures to restrict these offshore entities from soliciting customers within the European Union.

These recommendations are part of an ongoing review of MiCA by the European Commission, which also involves broader discussions about centralizing supervisory responsibilities within the EU. While the proposals are currently just recommendations, they highlight a potential shift toward a more strictly regulated environment for both retail investors and crypto service providers.

For crypto firms, these changes could lead to higher compliance costs and stricter marketing limitations. However, licensed providers might benefit from reduced competition if measures against unauthorized non-EU operators are successfully implemented.

Industry participants are watching how the European Commission incorporates this input into the MiCA review. Key questions remain regarding how the reasonable grounds threshold for asset freezes will be defined and how consistently national regulators will apply website-blocking powers across different member states.

## Sources

- [Crypto Briefing](https://cryptobriefing.com/esma-calls-expanded-powers-eu-crypto-enforcement/)

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Published by CryptoResearch. Canonical version: https://cryptoresearch.news/news/esma-seeks-expanded-enforcement-powers-under-mica-review