GOLD New Issue - Cyprus Investment Firms: Regulation, Technology, Transparency & Supervision

In the new issue of GOLD, available on newsstands from Sunday, 20 October, we feature Cyprus’ evolution into a centre for cross-border activities creating new opportunities for the local economy.

According to the latest figures from the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC), there are 253 registered brokerage firms – referred to as Cyprus Investment Firms (CIFs) – with 28 new or pending applications, reflecting a 14% increase over the last seven years. The European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) has reported that Cyprus now hosts 20% of all firms involved in cross-border investment activities across the EU/EEA, positioning the country as the main hub for the bloc. One major factor contributing to this growth is Cyprus' proximity to Israel, a country with numerous firms seeking access to European markets, while since Brexit in 2020, more and more UK-based firms have been looking at Cyprus for the same access. The country’s attractive 12.5% corporate tax rate has been a deal sweetener for many firms to set up shop here.

A competent regulator has also been crucial in fostering the industry’s expansion. Beyond ramping up its regulatory activities to meet the challenges of the evolving market, CySEC has been actively involved in educating investors, particularly retail clients, about the risks of investing, the pitfalls of listening to "finfluencers" claiming to hold the secrets of investment strategies and the sophisticated scams impersonating both legitimate firms and the regulator itself. In this cover story, CySEC Chairman George Theocharides discusses the rapidly evolving market conditions, we profile 18 leading Cyprus Investment Firms and feature interviews with five CEOs, who offer their insights into how regulation is affecting their operations, the reasons behind the local market’s growth, as well as major challenges ahead and the opportunities presented by technological trends.

• Capital.com - Christoforos Soutzis, Executive Director
• Windsor Brokers - Johny Abuaitah, CEO
• Match-Prime Liquidity - Andreas Kapsos, CEO
• Libertex - Michael Geiger, CEO
• Freedom24 - Evgenii Tiapkin, Executive Director

Finally, in a two-page infographic, we present the size of the local market in numbers, as well as CySEC’s activities.

Special Features:

• Cyprus Investment Firms
• Investment Funds in Cyprus
• Corporate Sustainability & Responsibility in Cyprus

Exclusive interviews & features:

• A Cluster of Juxtapositions - Symeon Kassianides, Chairman and CEO, Hyperion Systems Engineering Group
• Empowering People to Be Their Best - Lefteris Adilinis and Vivienne Ladommatou, Founders, Next Level Coaching
• Keeping a Close Watch on Hublot - Julien Tornare, CEO
• Long-term Growth, Innovation and Sustainability - Stefan Linn, Executive Chair, Remedica

My Way: Ilya Aristov

Five Minutes With: Tassos Kazinos

Start Me Up: Placy

You can download the magazine app on AppStore / GooglePlay /WebApp using the keywords GoldMagazine for Gold Magazine. You can also read the magazine online at the link https://www.magloft.com/app/goldmagazine#/shelf/view/default

All this and more in Issue 163 of GOLD magazine, out on Sunday, 20 October. Click here to read the digital edition.