(1)

‘distributed ledger technology’ or ‘DLT’ means a technology that enables the operation and use of distributed ledgers;

(2)

‘distributed ledger’ means an information repository that keeps records of transactions and that is shared across, and synchronised between, a set of DLT network nodes using a consensus mechanism;

(3)

‘consensus mechanism’ means the rules and procedures by which an agreement is reached, among DLT network nodes, that a transaction is validated;

(4)

‘DLT network node’ means a device or process that is part of a network and that holds a complete or partial replica of records of all transactions on a distributed ledger;

(5)

‘DLT market infrastructure’ means a DLT multilateral trading facility, a DLT settlement system or a DLT trading and settlement system;

(6)

‘DLT multilateral trading facility’ or ‘DLT MTF’ means a multilateral trading facility that only admits to trading DLT financial instruments;

(7)

‘DLT settlement system’ or ‘DLT SS’ means a settlement system that settles transactions in DLT financial instruments against payment or against delivery, irrespective of whether that settlement system has been designated and notified in accordance with Directive 98/26/EC, and that allows the initial recording of DLT financial instruments or allows the provision of safekeeping services in relation to DLT financial instruments;

(8)

‘settlement’ means settlement as defined in Article 2(1), point (7), of Regulation (EU) No 909/2014;

(9)

‘settlement fail’ means settlement fail as defined in Article 2(1), point (15), of Regulation (EU) No 909/2014;

(10)

‘DLT trading and settlement system’ or ‘DLT TSS’ means a DLT MTF or DLT SS that combines services performed by a DLT MTF and a DLT SS;

(11)

‘DLT financial instrument’ means a financial instrument that is issued, recorded, transferred and stored using distributed ledger technology;

(12)

‘financial instrument’ means a financial instrument as defined in Article 4(1), point (15), of Directive 2014/65/EU;

(13)

‘multilateral trading facility’ means a multilateral trading facility as defined in Article 4(1), point (22), of Directive 2014/65/EU;

(14)

‘central securities depository’ or ‘CSD’ means a central securities depository as defined in Article 2(1), point (1), of Regulation (EU) No 909/2014;

(15)

‘securities settlement system’ means a securities settlement system as defined in Article 2(1), point (10), of Regulation (EU) No 909/2014;

(16)

‘business day’ means business day as defined in Article 2(1), point (14), of Regulation (EU) No 909/2014;

(17)

‘delivery versus payment ’ means delivery versus payment as defined in Article 2(1), point (27), of Regulation (EU) No 909/2014;

(18)

‘credit institution’ means a credit institution as defined in Article 4(1), point (1), of Regulation (EU) No 575/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council (17);

(19)

‘investment firm’ means an investment firm as defined in Article 4(1), point (1), of Directive 2014/65/EU;

(20)

‘market operator’ means a market operator as defined in Article 4(1), point (18), of Directive 2014/65/EU;

(21)

‘competent authority’ means one or more competent authorities: