Peer review found granting of licence fell short in several key areas

Awarding of licences is in the spotlight. Stock image

Europe’s markets regulator has criticised crypto oversight in Malta – which has granted licences to several large exchanges this year – for falling short in several areas related to an unidentified entity it authorised.

The European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) said yesterday it had completed a fast-track peer review of processes at the Malta Financial ­Services Authority (MFSA), through which OKX, Gemini and Crypto.com received licences since the start of this year.