ESMA launches new supervisory initiatives for 2027

The European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) has introduced a new Union Strategic Supervisory Priority (USSP) focused on digital innovation, specifically targeting the use of artificial intelligence and tokenization within the financial sector. This initiative aims to ensure that regulators possess the necessary expertise and capacity to oversee emerging technologies, maintaining strong investor safeguards while fostering innovation across the EU.

Simultaneously, ESMA has published its 2027 Work Programme, which signals a transition from the preparation phase to the delivery phase for several strategic initiatives under the 2023-2028 multi-annual strategy. ESMA chair Verena Ross stated that 2027 represents a critical milestone for the development of the Savings and Investments Union (SIU). The agency intends to simplify regulatory and reporting frameworks while increasing the utilization of data and artificial intelligence in its supervisory processes.

These efforts run alongside ongoing priorities, such as the USSP on cyber and operational resilience established in 2025. Furthermore, the agency is concluding its 2023 initiative on ESG disclosures. Moving forward, ESMA will continue to coordinate with National Competent Authorities to address complex technological challenges, including those posed by frontier artificial intelligence models, as it advances the broader SIU agenda.