EBA Opens Public Consultation On AML/CFT Standards For Crypto-Asset Service Providers

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

January 24, 2025

The European Banking Authority (EBA) has initiated a public consultation on draft Regulatory Technical Standards (RTS) aimed at defining the criteria for when crypto-asset service providers (CASPs) should appoint a central contact point to ensure compliance with the anti-money laundering (AML) and countering the financing of terrorism (CFT) requirements of host EU member states.

This development stems from amendments made to Article 45(9) of Directive (EU) 2015/849 on 9 June 2023, which extended the scope of existing regulations to include CASPs. Previously, such standards applied only to payment service providers (PSPs) and electronic money institutions (EMIs), as per the original 2018 regulation.

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The updated draft RTS, intended to revise the Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2018/1108, addresses situations where CASPs operate in member states without establishing branches. Even in these cases, CASPs are required to adhere to local AML/CFT obligations, regardless of whether their local establishments are categorized as ‘obliged entities.’

“The draft RTS specifies the circumstances under which appointing a central contact point is necessary and outlines the responsibilities of such contact points,” the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC) stated in a press release signed by Chairman Dr George Theocharides.

Stakeholders are encouraged to provide feedback by submitting comments through the EBA consultation page. The deadline for responses is 4 February 2025, and all contributions will be published by the EBA unless confidentiality is requested.

Dr. Theocharides urged regulated entities to participate in the consultation, emphasizing the importance of shaping standards that ensure effective compliance across the EU’s crypto landscape.

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EU Farm Output Prices Decline For The First Time In Nine Months

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

March 12, 2026

EU Market Adjustments Signal New Price Trends

Agricultural output prices across the European Union declined in the fourth quarter of 2025, marking a shift after several quarters of increases. Data from Eurostat shows that farm gate prices fell by 1.9% compared with the same period in 2024.

Crisis of Declining Prices In Select Markets

Cyprus recorded one of the more notable decreases in agricultural input costs among EU member states, with prices falling by 2.6% compared with Q4 2024. The reduction eased cost pressures for the local agricultural sector following periods of higher prices earlier in 2025. Across the EU, prices for goods and services consumed in agriculture remained relatively stable. Non-investment inputs such as energy, fertilisers and feedingstuffs showed limited overall changes during the quarter.

Country-Specific Divergence In Price Movements

Eurostat data highlights considerable variation across member states. Fifteen EU countries recorded declines in agricultural output prices. Belgium registered the largest decrease at 12.9%, followed by Lithuania (8.2%) and Germany (6.0%). At the same time, twelve countries reported increases in output prices. Ireland recorded the strongest rise at 6.8%, followed by Slovenia (5.6%) and Malta (4.2%).

Stability In Agricultural Inputs Amid Commodity Shifts

Agricultural input prices also showed mixed developments. Eleven member states recorded declines, including Cyprus (2.6%), Belgium (2.1%) and Sweden (2.0%). Other countries experienced moderate increases, including Lithuania (4.2%), Ireland (3.3%) and Romania (2.5%). Among major agricultural commodities, milk prices declined by 4.1% while cereal prices fell by 8.9% across the EU. In contrast, fertilisers and soil improvers increased by 7.9%, reflecting continued volatility in input markets.

Outlook For EU Agriculture

The latest Eurostat data points to uneven price developments across the EU agricultural sector. While input prices remained broadly stable in many markets, movements in output prices varied significantly between member states. These trends highlight the need for farmers and policymakers to adapt to shifting commodity prices and changing cost structures across the European agricultural market.

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