On March 26, the European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) published a list of the trading venues and central counterparties (CCPs) benefitting from a temporary exemption from the access provisions set out in Articles 35 and 36 of the Markets in Financial Instruments Regulation (MiFIR).

CCPs and trading venues had until January 3 to apply for a transitional exemption under Article 54(2) of MiFIR. If the exemption has been granted to the relevant CCPs and trading venues, it lasts until July 3, 2020 (originally 2019, but this has been subsequently extended).

On March 28, ESMA updated its Q&As on transparency (Transparency Q&As) and market structures issues (Market Structures Q&As).

These Q&As provide responses to questions posed by the general public and market participants in relation to MiFIR, the revised Markets in Financial Instruments Directive (MiFID II) and their level 2 implementing legislation. ESMA expects to continue to review and update the Q&As in the coming months.

The list is available here.

The Transparency Q&As are here.

The Market Structures Q&As are here.