The European Legislation on investment services, as last contained in the Directive 2014/65/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 15 May 2014 (Market in Financial Instruments Directive - MiFID II ) went into effect in January 2018 and, together with the relevant implementing acts, are aimed at: ensuring greater protection to investors; fortifying the efficiency and integrity of the financial markets; and creating a competitive and harmonized financial market environment in Europe.