ESMA: EU financial markets enter 2026 amid high‑risk environment
This report examines the escalating systemic risks within the European and global financial landscapes between late 2025 and early 2026. Cyber and hybrid threats are identified as a primary concern, exacerbated by the sector's heavy reliance on a small number of critical ICT third-party providers like AWS. Market volatility is further fueled by stretched equity valuations in the technology and AI sectors, alongside structural vulnerabilities exposed by a major crypto-asset flash crash in October 2025. Additionally, the reports highlight macroeconomic uncertainties such as rising public debt, shifting trade policies, and the lack of transparency in the rapidly expanding private credit market. To counter these instabilities, authorities are focusing on regulatory frameworks like the Digital Operational Resilience Act (DORA) to strengthen oversight and mitigate potential contagion. Efforts to improve operational resilience remain central to protecting investors and maintaining orderly markets amidst these diverse financial and technological pressures.