Surveillance Agreements

Definition ∞ Surveillance agreements are formal arrangements between entities, often regulatory bodies and market participants, to share information for monitoring trading activity and preventing market manipulation. In the context of digital assets, these agreements aim to enhance oversight of cryptocurrency exchanges and trading platforms. Their purpose is to detect illicit activities, insider trading, or other behaviors that could undermine market integrity. Such accords seek to establish fair and orderly markets.
Context ∞ Discussions around surveillance agreements are prominent in news related to the approval of cryptocurrency exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and broader regulatory efforts to professionalize digital asset markets. Regulators frequently cite the need for robust surveillance capabilities as a prerequisite for institutional product offerings. These agreements are considered vital for addressing concerns about market integrity and investor protection in a nascent asset class.