AMLA – The EU’s new anti-money laundering authority
The Anti-Money Laundering Authority (AMLA) will gradually become operational from mid-2025. Direct supervision of a certain group of…
BaFin and the Finfluencers – Part 2
In an update to its guidance note on the concept of investment advice, BaFin confirms that finfluencers generally…
What do the party manifestos have to say about ‘our’ payment topics?
Some highlights from the German federal election manifestos 2025 Payments are not just a topic for lawyers. It…
BaFin and the Finfluencers – Part 1
Influencers who provide product recommendations via social media are engaging in a business model that has long become…
Escrow accounts are becoming segregated accounts (only)
Changes to the German safeguarding regime of customer funds pursuant to Section 17 of the German Payment Services…
EBA specifies e-money definition – What does this mean in practice?
The definition of e-money plays an important role in practice, as it determines the regulatory requirements for products…
BaFin Guidance Notice on crypto-asset services under MiCAR – authorisation requirement notification procedure (2)
On 3 January 2025, BaFin published the Guidance Notice on crypto-asset services MiCAR (“Guidance Notice”). In addition to…
Quo vadis, financial sector? DORA comes into effect
The Regulation (EU) 2022/2554 on digital operational resilience in the financial sector (DORA) is a significant milestone in…
Barrierefreiheitsstärkungsgesetz and accessibility requirements for banks: Towards an inclusive future
In this article, we take a closer look at the Barrierefreiheitsstärkungsgesetz (Accessibility Reinforcement Act “-BFSG”) and its significance…
A Fairy Tale Journey into the Future of Payments – The Payment Exchange 2025
Once Upon a Time… … not too far in the future, a legendary place called Berlin shone with…
Insurance intermediaries as obliged entities under money laundering law – modern distribution models, open questions and the future rules of the AMLR
Insurance intermediaries must comply with the obligations under money laundering law if they broker life insurance policies within…
BaFin Guidance Notice on crypto-asset services in accordance with MiCAR (1)
On 3 January 2025, BaFin published a guidance notice on crypto-asset services in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2023/1114…
German Law on the Digitalization of the Financial Market (FinmadiG) Finally Adopted by the Bundestag
In an unexpected turn of events, and a bit like an early Christmas gift, the Bundestag approved the…
Crypto Meets ESG – Is the Future Looking Green?
With the Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (“MiCAR”), the EU legislator is creating a legal framework for crypto-assets for…