Carlo Comporti has been appointed chair of the European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA), Europe's financial markets regulator, with his tenure beginning November 1, 2026. The Council of the European Union confirmed the appointment on October 9. Comporti will succeed Verena Ross, who has led ESMA for the past five years.
Comporti brings extensive experience in financial regulation at both national and European levels. Since February 2022, he has served as a commissioner at Italy's financial markets regulator, CONSOB, where he was a member of ESMA's Board of Supervisors and Management Board and chaired its Digital Finance Standing Committee. He also served on the board of the International Organization of Securities Commissions and chaired its Audit and Finance Committee.
Prior to joining CONSOB, Comporti held senior positions at Promontory, including CEO of Promontory Italy and COO of Promontory Europe between 2011 and 2022. He previously served as secretary general of the Committee of European Securities Regulators, ESMA's predecessor, from 2008 and played a role in the transition to the current authority in 2010 and 2011.
Implications for Crypto Regulation
ESMA plays a central role in implementing the EU's Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (MiCA), which establishes common requirements for crypto-asset issuers and service providers across authorisation, disclosures, market abuse prevention, and investor protection. Under the current framework, national competent authorities generally authorise and supervise crypto-asset service providers, while ESMA develops technical standards and coordinates supervisory practices.
European policymakers are currently considering proposals to expand ESMA's direct supervisory role over certain financial market participants, including some crypto-asset service providers. EU finance ministers reached a compromise on proposed changes to financial market supervision on October 9, though the proposal still faces further negotiations before any new powers take effect.
Greater centralised supervision could create more consistent regulatory approaches across member states and reduce inconsistencies in how rules are applied, though the ultimate impact will depend on final legislation. Comporti's appointment itself does not change existing crypto regulations or transfer new supervisory powers to ESMA.
In his first statement, Comporti emphasised that European markets needed to develop and integrate further to support companies, investors and citizens, and highlighted the importance of working with European institutions and financial-sector stakeholders.
