a2fintechs project image
Facebook Linkedin

FINTECH

MODULE III

FUNDAMENTALS OF EU FINTECH REGULATION

About Module III

Module III explores the European Union’s fintech regulatory landscape, explaining why regulation matters, how rules are created, and which institutions enforce them. Learners examine payments regulation, GDPR, anti-money laundering, MiCA, DORA, and the AI Act, using practical lessons and stories to understand compliance obligations, risks, and emerging regulatory developments effectively.

What You Will Learn

After the end of Module I, you will be able to:

  • Knowledge 5

    Explain why fintech is regulated and how the EU legislative framework operates by demonstrating comprehensive understanding of the institutional architecture, the Regulation-vs-Directive distinction, and the role of Level 1 through Level 4 measures.

  • Knowledge 5

    Describe the main EU regulatory frameworks relevant to fintech — PSD2/PSD3, GDPR, AMLR, MiCA, DORA and the AI Act — and explain how they interact by demonstrating comprehensive understanding of core provisions, key dates and cross-regulation dependencies.

  • Knowledge 5

    Identify the AI Act's classification of fintech AI systems and describe the obligations triggered by high-risk designation, including credit scoring and insurance pricing AI.

  • Skill 5

    Apply PSD2 and GDPR principles to realistic fintech scenarios through structured application of analytical reasoning to identify which obligations apply to a given business model.

  • Responsibility & Autonomy 5

    Assess how the AML, MiCA and DORA frameworks impact the design and operation of fintech products by making informed compliance decisions and evaluating the quality of outcomes within a defined scope of responsibility.

Contents

  • 7 Learning Topics
  • 21 lessons

Learning Topic 1: I Introduction to EU Fintech Regulation

  • LESSON 1.1 – Why Regulation Matters [Intermediate]
  • LESSON 1.2 – How the EU Makes Financial Rules [Intermediate]
  • LESSON 1.3 – Who Regulates Whom: Key Institutions [Intermediate]

Learning Topic 2: The EU Regulatory Map
Before diving into individual regulations, this topic gives students the big picture: which rules exist, when they take effect, and – crucially – how they interact. Most fintech products trigger not one regulation but four, five or six simultaneously.

Learning Topic 3: Payments – from PSD2 to PSD3
Payments is the biggest and most mature fintech vertical in Europe. This topic explains the regulatory framework that made open banking possible (PSD2), the obligations every payment service provider must meet, and the significant reform now underway with PSD3 and the new PSR.

Learning Topic 4: GDPR and Data Protection in Finance
Every fintech, by definition, processes personal data at scale. This topic explains the six GDPR principles, the legal bases that justify processing, the rights customers can exercise, and the security, breach-notification and transfer rules that every fintech compliance team must know.

Learning Topic 5: Anti-Money Laundering – AMLR, AMLD6 and AMLA
Money laundering is the process by which criminals disguise the origin of illegal funds. The UN estimates 2–5% of global GDP is laundered every year. Fintechs are particularly attractive to launderers for a reason that is, from a product perspective, a feature: they are fast, international and low-friction. This topic explains how the EU rewrote its entire AML framework in 2024 and what that means in practice for fintech compliance.

Learning Topic 6: MiCA and Crypto Compliance
MiCA – the Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation – is the world's first comprehensive crypto regulatory framework. Fully applicable since 30 December 2024, it has transformed how crypto businesses operate in Europe. This topic covers the three categories of crypto-assets MiCA creates, the CASP licensing regime, and the transition period during which pre-existing firms must obtain authorisation or leave the market.

Learning Topic 7: DORA and the AI Act
Two of the newest regulations in the European fintech toolkit govern the digital infrastructure on which everything else runs. DORA addresses operational resilience – what happens when systems fail, are attacked or depend on critical third parties. The AI Act governs artificial intelligence – which uses are banned, which are high-risk, and what the obligations are. Together, they define the operating conditions for modern digital finance.

References and Final Assessment

Download MODULE IΙΙ

Free
Free access this course
  • Level
    Intermediate
  • Duration
    2 hours

Requirements

  • Registration on the A2FINTECS platform
  • Stable internet connection
  • Basic knowledge of finance (Module I)
  • Suitable for Intermediate or Advanced learners

Target Audience

  • SME owners and managers
  • Entrepreneurs and business advisor
  • Trainers working with SMEs
  • Finance and business professionals
  • Learners with basic finance knowledge

Disclaimer. Material for Educational Purpose Only
The content on this platform is provided solely for educational and informational purposes and does not constitute financial, investment, legal, or tax advice. We do not recommend or endorse any specific cryptocurrency, financial product, or investment strategy. Cryptocurrencies are volatile and high-risk assets, and any investment decision is made at the user’s own responsibility. Users should seek advice from a qualified financial advisor before making financial decisions.