International Monetary Fund. Monetary and Capital Markets Department
This paper describes a technical note on securities regulation and supervision in The Netherlands. Regulation of securities and derivatives markets in the European Union (EU) has changed materially since the last Netherlands Financial Sector Assessment Program (FSAP), with further reforms underway. The securities market landscape in the Netherlands has also changed markedly since the last FSAP, largely in response to Brexit. The Netherlands is now of EU-wide significance in relation to the trading of securities, particularly equities, which has brought challenges for the national authorities. Further enhancements of its approach and a continuing focus on trading system operational resilience are now needed. The established venues are growing and diversifying their offerings, and ‘fintech’ new entrants with business models combining trading and post-trading operations in new ways are on the horizon. Enhancements to the legislative framework are now needed to ensure that the Autoriteit Financiële Markten can continue to supervise efficiently and effectively an expanded and more diverse market, and to engage credibly with international counterparts.
International Monetary Fund. Monetary and Capital Markets Department
The paper presents Trinidad and Tobago’s technical assistance (TA) on fintech regulation and legislation. The impact of fintech in Trinidad and Tobago is currently concentrated in the payments sector. This report covers the three areas where TA was provided by the mission team. The current e-money framework and licensing process can be further enhanced. The report recommends that authorities should carry out a feasibility study with an aim of improving the JIH, but a RS should not be a priority. The authorities should also conduct an impact assessment for legal and regulatory reforms to assist them in the development of a strategy for crypto assets. An impact assessment should evaluate the costs and benefits of legal and regulatory action in the context of the relative importance of crypto assets activities in the country, and the existence of competing legislative and regulatory priorities. Other alternatives, such as a detailed legal regime, or using exemptions to accommodate the needs of new activities, present more disadvantages, such as the lengthy and cumbersome legislative process or the lack of a legal basis for the use of general exemptions.
Tokens are units digitally represented in a distributed ledger or blockchain. The various uses of this technology have the potential to transform a wide array of economic activities, from traditional commercial transactions to sophisticated financial undertakings. This paper explores the similarities and differences of tokens with traditional legal instruments in commercial law and how tokens could offer superior solutions, provided that proper legal foundations are established for their operation, including aspects of the law of securities and consumer protection law.
International Monetary Fund. Monetary and Capital Markets Department
At the request of the Eastern Caribbean Securities Regulatory Commission (ECSRC), a Monetary and Capital Markets (MCM) Department mission conducted a review of a draft version of the new Investment Funds Regulations (IFR) and Securities Regulations (SR) form May 20–June 30, 2022. The two sets of regulations are a key part of the new regime to govern the capital markets in the member territories of the Eastern Caribbean Currency Union (ECCU).
This paper assesses the level of implementation of the International Organization of Securities Commissions objectives and principles of securities regulation in the Russian Federation. The findings reveal that there is much that the Central Bank of Russia needs to accomplish if it is to approach good international practice as a securities regulator. Some of the most recent regulatory changes, such as those on credit rating agencies, are clearly based on international standards. In other areas, further initiatives will be required. These include identification of conflict of interest and improving management standards of professional market participants.
International Monetary Fund. Monetary and Capital Markets Department
This Technical Assistance report examines regulation of market abuse and issuer disclosure requirements in Ukraine. The Ukrainian regulatory framework for market abuse and issuer disclosure requirements has significant gaps, whose impact is compounded by the National Securities and Stock Market Commission’s (NSSMC) lack of sufficient supervisory, investigative, and enforcement powers. This has contributed to overall lack of transparency and widespread misconduct in the market, including through issuance and trading of “fictitious” securities. To address the current challenges, the Ukrainian legislation needs to be aligned with the international standards to provide the NSSMC with sufficient means to require enhanced disclosures and combat market abuse.
International Monetary Fund. Monetary and Capital Markets Department
This paper presents an assessment of the level of implementation of the IOSCO (International Organization of Securities Commissions) objectives and principles in the Russian Federation. Some of the most recent regulatory changes in the Russian Federation are clearly based on international standards. In other areas, further initiatives will be required. These include conflicts of interest identification and improving standards of management in professional market participants. It will also require the creation of legal gateways which will enable supervisors with the necessary skills sets to provide guidance as to what the Central Bank of the Russian Federation’s (CBR) reasonable expectations are on a range of issues. CBR also faces a major challenge in enforcing the regulatory regime and will need additional resources.
International Monetary Fund. Monetary and Capital Markets Department
This Technical Assistance Report discusses measures to enhance the powers and independence of the National Securities and Stock Market Commission (NSSMC) in Ukraine. The NSSMC faces significant challenges in its role as the regulator of the Ukrainian securities market. Market activity has been shrinking over the past few years, but misconduct—such as issuance and trading of “fictitious” securities—prevails. Key changes needed relate to enhancing the NSSMC’s ability to conduct investigations of and demand information from any legal or natural person, have access to information otherwise restricted by secrecy laws, assist foreign authorities even without an apparent violation of the Ukrainian securities laws, and maintain the confidentiality of information exchanged under the Multilateral Memorandum of Understanding.
International Monetary Fund. Monetary and Capital Markets Department
This paper discusses key findings of the Detailed Assessment of Implementation of the IOSCO (International Organization of Securities Commissions) Objectives and Principles of Securities Regulation on the United States. The United States has large, well-developed, and complex securities and derivatives markets. Postcrisis, the legal mandates of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) have significantly expanded. The level of funding of both the SEC and CFTC is a key challenge affecting their ability to deliver on their mandates in a way that provides confidence to markets and investors. The fragmented structure of equity markets remains a key challenge for the SEC.
Capital markets can improve risk sharing and the efficiency with which capital is allocated to the real economy, boosting economic growth and welfare. However, despite these potential benefits, not all countries have well developed capital markets. Moreover, government-led initiatives to develop local capital markets have had mixed success. This paper reviews the literature on the benefits and costs of developing local capital markets, and describes the challenges faced in the development of such markets. The paper concludes with a set of policy recommendations emerging from this literature.