The European Securities and Markets Authority began operations on the 1st of January 2011. This agency replaced the Committee of European Securities Regulators following the De Larosière regulatory framework.
The European Securities and Markets Authority maintains its seat at 103 rue de Grenelle in Paris. The building previously housed the French Telegraphic Lines Administration from 2011 to 2019.
Steven Maijoor served as the first Chairperson of the European Securities and Markets Authority from the 1st of April 2011 until the 31st of March 2021. Verena Ross took office as Chair on the 1st of November 2021 after Anneli Tuominen acted as interim chair during 2021.
The European Securities and Markets Authority implemented a complete ban on binary options for retail clients starting on the 1st of August 2018. These measures were initially temporary but expired on the 1st of August 2019 without renewal by the agency.
Supervisory powers over Environmental Social and Governance rating providers began in 2026 under the European Securities and Markets Authority mandate. Any entity offering ESG rating services within the European Union must obtain official authorization from the agency to operate legally.