In a significant regulatory move, Italy’s securities watchdog, Consob, has escalated its efforts to safeguard Italian investors by blocking several domains associated with foreign exchange (FX) and cryptocurrency trading services. The blocked entities include Vantage, Luno Invest, and Crypto Trade, among others, which were found to be promoting trading products illegally within the country.
This action is part of a broader initiative under the ‘Decreto Crescita’ law, which empowers Consob to restrict access to online trading platforms that operate without proper authorization. The recent crackdown involves Italy’s internet service providers (ISPs), which have been instructed to deny access to the websites linked to these firms. This measure aims to prevent Italian investors from engaging with potentially fraudulent or unauthorized investment schemes.
The domains recently added to Consob’s register of banned internet sources include:
- Luno Invest (website: lunoinvest.net)
- Vantage Global Limited (websites: vantage-markets.com and secure.vantage-markets.com)
- Capital4it Ltd (websites: capital4it.io and panel.capital4it.io)
- Crypto Trade Club Ltd (websites: cryptotradeclub.ltd and cfd.cryptotradeclub.ltd)
- Amlight-italiainvestment (website: amlight-italiainvestment.net)
These websites were notably involved in offering trading in forex and contracts for difference (CFDs), with some also dealing in cryptocurrencies and related derivatives. Consob’s proactive measures reflect its ongoing commitment to combat the cross-border challenges posed by digital assets and online trading platforms.
Over the past few years, Consob has ordered the blocking of nearly 1,065 domains, underscoring the regulator’s stringent approach to enforcing financial regulations and protecting investors. Italy’s stance is increasingly being viewed as a model for other countries grappling with similar regulatory challenges in the digital finance sector.
This latest regulatory action by Consob is a clear signal to both domestic and international trading platforms that compliance with Italian financial regulations is non-negotiable. The move also serves as a warning to Italian investors about the risks associated with unverified online trading services.