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MFSA Issues Circular on Brexit Readiness

On the 18th of November 2020, the Malta Financial Services Authority (‘MFSA’) issued a circular outlining its expectations following the end of the Brexit transition period on the 31st December 2020. The latter allowed entities and firms to continue building their preparatory work and facilitate an orderly withdrawal from the European Union. In view that…

The MFSA restructures the Loan Funds Regime

On the 10th November 2020, the Malta Financial Services Authority (‘MFSA’) announced that it has restructured its Loan Funds Regime. The restructuring exercise was undertaken to reflect market developments and the current economic scenario, whilst also taking into consideration the direction being taken at EU level with regard to loan origination by funds. The MFSA’s…

DF Consultancy Services Limited Authorised to Act as a VFA Agent

DF Advocates have reached an important milestone in the quest to grow the fintech practice following the successful registration of DF Consultancy Services Limited (the financial services arm of the firm) as a Virtual Financial Assets (‘VFA’) Agent in terms of the Virtual Financial Assets Act (Chapter 590 of the Laws of Malta). Being the…

The New EU Sustainable Finance Model

The MFSA has issued a circular outlining the legislative instruments being implemented in the area of sustainable finance at EU level, as well as the initiatives being taken by the MFSA in this regard. The European Union’s Green Deal is an ambitious new growth strategy plan which includes substantial regulatory changes with the overarching aim…

MFSA launches its FinTech Regulatory Sandbox

The Financial Services sector is a major contributor to the Maltese Economy when all economic effects are taken into account. In fact, the sector as a whole has been estimated to account for 11.2% of total Gross Value Added (‘GVA’) and 10.2% of employment, ranking with the highest contributors of the Maltese economy[1]. As innovation…

Shoreline Mall plc Bonds admitted to Listing on the Official List of the Malta Stock Exchange

Last Friday, the 31st of July, marked the first day of trading for Shoreline Mall p.l.c. on the Malta Stock Exchange. This followed a highly successful bond issue in which €40,000,000 of bonds were issued and subscribed to by the general public. The formal commencement of trading was followed by the traditional bell-ringing ceremony at…

The Maturing Cannabis Market in Europe

Published also in Med-Cann World Being at the centre of many debates worldwide throughout the years, Cannabis refers to a group of three plants known as Cannabis sativa, Cannabis indica and Cannabis ruderalis, which commonly possess psychoactive elements. Also referred to as marijuana, weed or pot, harvested and dried flowers of the aforementioned plants produces…

Cell Companies in the Shipping and Aviation Industries

By virtue of Legal Notice 248 of 2020 the Minister for Economy, Investment and Small Businesses introduced the Companies Act (Shipping and Aviation Cell Companies) Regulations (the “Regulations”) with the aim of regulating cell companies carrying on or engaged in the shipping or aviation business. The enactment of the Regulations was made possible by means…

Malta: Fostering the Recent Exponential Growth of Esports

Published also in SIGMA  Over the past few years, esports, which is best described as organised and competitive video game playing, has witnessed immense growth transforming it into a central form of entertainment all over the world, with the industry amassing one billion US Dollars in revenue for the first time in 2019. The growth…

The Shipping Industry: Responding and Adapting to a New Reality

Published also in Times of Malta (Click to access the content) The shipping industry, within the limits of today’s situation, continues to operate and keep crucial supply chains flowing across the globe. Having said this, the outbreak of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) has seen a widespread negative impact on the industry’s operations. It has affected many…