Examples shown by the regulatory agency demonstrate that scams are old, but ESMA warns that scammers are taking advantage of the end of the MiCA transition to deceive potential victims. 

ESMA (European Securities and Markets Authority) issued a warning on Thursday (9) about fake emails using the agency's name. Scammers are reportedly taking advantage of the end of the MiCA (Markets in Crypto Assets) regulation transition to deceive their victims.

However, on its website, ESMA shows that these scams are old, with several examples of fake communications dating back to 2024.

Although the agency does not mention it, investors should also be aware of phishing attempts using the names of brokerage firms and other companies in the sector.

The European Union's regulatory agency recommends that investors and companies avoid interacting with suspicious messages.

The scam alert shared by ESMA on social media this Thursday (9) makes it clear that scammers are taking advantage of the end of the MiCA regulation transition to deceive potential victims. 

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Fraud alert: Scammers are impersonating ESMA and exploiting the end of the #MiCA transition period! These emails are not sent by ESMA!

Furthermore, the agency reminds the public that it does not request personal data or payments via email, noting that scammers may use its name and logo on both documents and fake websites.

As a recommendation, ESMA advises users to take a moment to verify information, not to interact with suspicious messages, and to report scams to their country's national authorities. 

An example shared by ESMA shows that even companies are being targeted by phishing attacks after the end of the MiCA transition period. Source: ESMA/Reproduction.

Regulators note that scammers may use other means of communication.

On its website, ESMA shares other screenshots showing examples of how scammers may try to contact their victims. 

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By email, it is possible to see the use of domains such as esmaeu[.]com, esma[.]tax and esmafinance[.]com, while the original would be esma.europa.eu. Other attempts at communication include messages via WhatsApp and fake documents.

Regulators show that scammers are impersonating ESMA to deceive cryptocurrency investors and companies. Source: ESMA/Reproduction.

Scammers are impersonating ESMA, even via WhatsApp, regulators warn. Source: ESMA/Reproduction.

Companies continue to seek licenses to continue operating in the EU.

Data from the MiCA Scan website shows that 301 companies have already obtained licenses to continue operating in the European Union after the end of the MiCA regulatory transition on July 1st. The list continues to grow as new licenses are issued. 

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However, some giants like Binance are still racing to obtain the license , making it impossible for them to serve investors in the bloc.

Given this, investors should also be wary of phishing attempts that impersonate cryptocurrency exchanges and other service providers in this market.