CONSOB, Italy’s financial regulator, has ordered the blocking of 10 websites providing unauthorized investment services and crypto-asset activities as part of its continuing campaign against financial fraud. The action, announced on 15 October 2026, brings the total number of websites blocked by the authority since July 2019 to 1,848, of which 240 relate to crypto-related services.
- Websites targeted: Five unauthorized investment service providers and five unauthorized crypto-asset service providers
- Total blocks since July 2019: 1,848 websites
- Crypto-related blocks: 240 of total blocked websites
- Legal basis: Growth Decree powers and MiCAR framework (EU Regulation and Legislative Decree No. 129/2024)
The blocked websites include Swap Euro, Vantage Global Limited, Oskarinvest, Neolin Capital Market Ltd, and BP-Esolution, along with five additional crypto-related domains. Internet service providers operating in Italy are implementing the blocks, though technical delays may extend the process by several days. CONSOB exercised enforcement powers granted under Italy’s Growth Decree and the EU’s new MiCAR regulatory framework to effect the takedowns.
CONSOB emphasized that savers must conduct thorough due diligence before investing, verifying that operators are properly authorized and that financial products and crypto-assets include published prospectuses or white papers. The regulator warned of evolving deceptive practices that exploit internet channels, including fraudulent emails, cloned websites, and deepfake content generated by artificial intelligence systems designed to manipulate investment decisions.
The authority directed investors to its dedicated “Watch out for scams!” section on its website for guidance on protecting themselves against financial fraud in the age of artificial intelligence. CONSOB is the Commissione Nazionale per le Società e la Borsa, Italy’s primary securities regulator responsible for regulating financial markets and protecting investors from unauthorized and fraudulent financial activities.
