By European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) decision as of 31 July 2019, continuous temporary restrictions, imposed on the marketing, distribution or sale of contracts for differences to retail clients, affecting the market from 22 May 2018, will apply as permanent decision without further renewals.

Continuous prolongations for every three months (Decisions (EU) 2018/796, (EU) 2018/1636, (EU) 2019/155 and (EU) 2019/679)) of the temporary aforementioned restrictions on certain financial instruments, financial activities or practices to address a significant investor protection, concerning in the EU, had not led to consumer protection, addressing its risks.

Permanent decision is based on the fact that the most national competent authorities (NCAs) have taken permanent national product intervention measures relating to contracts for differences that are at least as stringent as ESMA’s measures.

ESMA's temporary restrictions will automatically cease from July 31, 2019 with ESMA to keep on observing the market sectors to evaluate whether any other EU-wide measures need to be implemented.

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