France: Published AMF blacklist of websites which offer crypto assets illegally

On 5 June 2024, the French Financial Markets Authority (AMF) issued a warning to the public regarding the activities of several fraudulent actors and released an updated "blacklist." The AMF has reorganised and expanded the list of websites that illegally offer services related to digital assets and token fundraising (ICOs) in France. This "crypto-asset" blacklist now includes all unauthorised sites identified by the AMF. In France, businesses offering services such as the purchase or sale of digital assets for legal tender, the exchange of digital assets, or the operation of a digital asset trading platform must be registered with the AMF. Additionally, only companies that have received AMF approval for a public offering of tokens (Initial Coin Offering) are permitted to approach investors for token issuance. This updated list enhances the AMF's existing array of blacklists, which also includes a specific list of unauthorised sites offering derivative products on crypto-assets.