Senior financial officials from the European Union and the United States met in Brussels to strengthen cooperation on financial regulation, digital finance, and banking oversight. The two-day EU-US Joint Financial Regulatory Forum focused on improving coordination as both sides respond to changes in global financial markets and emerging technologies.
The meeting took place on June 9 and 10 in Brussels and was co-chaired by the European Commission and the U.S. Department of the Treasury. Senior representatives from major financial authorities on both sides attended the discussions to review regulatory priorities and future policy plans.
The European delegation included officials from the European Central Bank, the European Banking Authority, the European Securities and Markets Authority, the European Insurance and Occupational Pensions Authority, and the Single Resolution Board. The United States was represented by officials from the Federal Reserve Board, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, the Securities and Exchange Commission, and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission.
A major focus of the forum was digital finance. Officials discussed the growing use of tokenized securities, tokenized collateral, and artificial intelligence in financial services. They also reviewed ways to strengthen operational resilience as financial markets continue to adopt new technologies.
European officials shared updates on the ongoing review of the Markets in Crypto-Assets regulation and the development of the digital euro. U.S. representatives outlined progress on implementing the GENIUS Act and broader digital asset policies designed to support innovation while protecting financial stability.
Participants also reviewed the condition of the global financial system. Officials said markets have remained resilient despite economic uncertainty, elevated asset prices, and potential financial risks. They agreed that strong international cooperation remains important for identifying vulnerabilities and improving the resilience of the financial system.
Banking regulation was another key topic during the discussions. Both sides exchanged views on capital requirements and the implementation of the final Basel III standards. Officials also discussed the need to balance financial safety with rules that support economic growth and competitiveness.
European representatives presented updates on work toward a report on the competitiveness of the EU banking sector that is expected in 2026. Discussions also covered bank resolution planning and recent U.S. reviews of deposit runs that occurred during the banking sector turmoil in 2023.
Capital market reforms were also part of the agenda. Officials explored ways to make public markets more attractive to investors while expanding opportunities for retail investors to access private markets. At the same time, they emphasized the importance of maintaining strong investor protection and market transparency.
The forum also included discussions on climate-related financial disclosures, corporate sustainability reporting, clearing rules for U.S. Treasury securities, and planned changes to the European Union’s settlement cycle.
Tax cooperation and financial crime prevention were additional priorities. Officials reviewed updates related to the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act and discussed anti-money laundering reforms. European representatives highlighted progress on implementing the EU Anti-Money Laundering Package and establishing the new Anti-Money Laundering Authority. U.S. officials also shared information on efforts to modernize the Bank Secrecy Act.
Throughout the meeting, both sides reaffirmed their commitment to regular dialogue on financial regulation and supervision. Officials agreed that continued cooperation can help address shared challenges, reduce regulatory uncertainty, and manage the cross-border effects of new financial laws and policies.
The forum reflects the growing importance of international coordination as financial markets become more connected and technology continues to reshape banking and investment services. Regulators believe ongoing communication will help promote financial stability while supporting innovation in both regions.
The European Union and the United States plan to continue working together on these issues before the next EU-US Joint Financial Regulatory Forum, which is expected to take place later in 2026.
