The European Crowdfunding Service Provider (ECSP) Regulation is a regulatory framework that governs crowdfunding service providers in the European Union. As of 2022, all European crowdfunding providers must have an ECSP license, which is overseen by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) in the UK.
This regulation applies to investment-based crowdfunding, including equity crowdfunding and peer-to-peer lending. It aims to ensure investor protection, transparency, and the proper functioning of the crowdfunding market.
The ECSP Regulation sets out requirements for crowdfunding platforms to obtain a license, conduct their operations, and provide services to investors and fundraisers. It also establishes rules for the provision of crowdfunding services across the EU.
Therefore, any crowdfunding platform operating in the UK must comply with the ECSP Regulation to offer investment-based crowdfunding services.
What is the ECS regulation and how does it relate to crowdfunding in the UK
The European Crowdfunding Service Providers (ECSP) Regulation lays down uniform rules across the EU for the provision of investment-based and business crowdfunding services. It allows platforms to apply for an EU passport based on a single set of rules, making it easier for them to offer their services across the EU with a single authorization. The regulation aims to increase the availability of innovative finance, help companies seeking alternatives to bank financing, and enhance investor protection. The rules entered into application on November 10, 2021, and apply directly across the EU. Crowdfunding platforms in the UK must comply with the ECSP Regulation to offer investment-based and business crowdfunding services. The regulation is part of the EU’s efforts to create a harmonized and supportive framework for crowdfunding across its member states.
What are the key provisions of the ECS regulation for crowdfunding in the UK?
The ECSP Regulation is a European regulation that aims to create a harmonized framework for crowdfunding across the EU. In the UK, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) regulates crowdfunding platforms under the ECSP Regulation and the UK’s Financial Services and Markets Act 2000. The key provisions of the ECSP Regulation for crowdfunding in the UK include:
- Licensing: Crowdfunding platforms must obtain an ECSP license to operate in the UK.
- Investor Protection: The regulation aims to enhance investor protection by providing a more aligned and enhanced investor protection framework.
- Transparency: Platforms must ensure transparency and availability of information to protect consumers.
- Prudential Obligations: The regulation sets out requirements under several headings that relate to investor protection, prudential obligations, and the provision of ancillary services, including individual portfolio management, safeguarding, and payment services by platforms.
- Scope and Territorial Considerations: The regulation applies to the provision of crowdfunding services that consist of matching alternative or innovative loan products and even loans with well-known features (such as a bullet) with a financial counterparty.
- Due Diligence and Disclosure: The UK regime is less onerous than the EU Regulation, as it does not provide for any rules on due diligence, disclosure akin to a KISS, a reflection period, or an investor appropriateness test.
Crowdfunding platforms in the UK need to comply with the ECSP Regulation and the UK’s Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 to offer investment-based and business crowdfunding services legally.
How does the ECS regulation impact the crowdfunding industry in the UK
The ECSP Regulation impacts the crowdfunding industry in the UK in several ways:
- Licensing: The regulation requires crowdfunding platforms to obtain an ECSP license to operate in the UK, ensuring they comply with the rules set by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).
- Increased Transparency: The regulation mandates transparency and the availability of information to protect consumers, which can lead to better decision-making by investors.
- Investor Protection: The regulation enhances investor protection by providing a more aligned and enhanced investor protection framework.
- Prudential Obligations: The regulation sets out requirements under several headings that relate to investor protection, prudential obligations, and the provision of ancillary services, including individual portfolio management, safeguarding, and payment services by platforms.
- Comparison with EU Regulation: The UK’s crowdfunding regulatory regime is less onerous than the EU Regulation, as it does not provide for any rules on due diligence, disclosure akin to a KISS, a reflection period, or an investor appropriateness test.
- Brexit and UK Regulation: The UK government has decided to continue with the UK regime instituted in 2013 to cover electronic lending without making any amendment in response to the vast bulk of EU financial services regulation following Brexit.
Overall, the ECSP Regulation brings a more harmonized and transparent regulatory framework for crowdfunding platforms in the UK, while also providing increased investor protection. However, the UK’s approach to the regulation differs from the EU’s in some aspects, particularly in terms of investor appropriateness tests and due diligence requirements.
