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CySEC Withdraws Licences And Memberships In Strategic Regulatory Action

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

September 5, 2025

Reinforcing Regulatory Compliance

The Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC) has taken decisive steps to ensure market integrity by withdrawing the Cyprus Investment Firm licence from Fibo Markets Ltd, following the firm’s own decision to renounce its authorisation. Concurrently, the regulator has terminated Investors Compensation Fund (ICF) membership for four additional firms, reflecting a broader push for heightened regulatory discipline.

Licence Withdrawal And Membership Termination

At its meeting on August 25, 2025, CySEC confirmed the withdrawal of Fibo Markets Ltd’s licence and the removal of Oasis Wealth Management Ltd, The Alternative GMI Ltd, Itrade Global (CY) Ltd, and Viverno Markets Ltd from the ICF. These measures come on the heels of earlier decisions to revoke operating licences for the affected entities, including the withdrawal of the licence for Oasis Wealth Management Ltd as a UCITS management company and the revocation of The Alternative GMI Ltd’s authorisation as an Alternative Investment Fund Manager.

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Client Compensation And Future Procedures

CySEC has underscored that former clients of these firms will still retain their rights to compensation for investment operations conducted prior to the regulatory changes, provided that the eligibility criteria are met. Moreover, the regulator has affirmed that the initiation of compensation procedures remains available where necessary, ensuring that client protections are maintained.

Industry Ramifications

This pronounced regulatory intervention not only safeguards investor interests but also reinforces the importance of continual compliance in a dynamic financial landscape. By retracting the licences and ICF membership of these entities, CySEC is setting a benchmark of accountability that may reverberate throughout the industry, prompting firms to re-evaluate their operational standards to remain competitive and compliant.

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FinTech’s Dominance In MENA: Three Strategic Drivers Behind Unyielding VC Success

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

September 11, 2025

Despite facing tightening global liquidity and macroeconomic headwinds, the FinTech sector continues to assert its leadership in the MENA region. In the first half of 2025, FinTech emerged as the most resilient and appealing arena for venture capital investments, proving its worth as a catalyst for financial innovation and inclusion.

Addressing Structural Financial Gaps

In many parts of MENA, a significant proportion of the population remains underbanked and underserved by traditional financial institutions. FinTech companies are uniquely positioned to address these persistent challenges by bridging critical access gaps and driving financial inclusion. With the proliferation of payment apps, digital wallets, and micro-lending platforms, investors have witnessed firsthand how these solutions pave the way for scalable growth and eventual exits. Early-stage momentum in the region is underscored by a doubling of pre-seed deals year-over-year, reinforcing the sector’s capacity for rapid innovation and sustainable expansion.

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Highly Scalable and Replicable Business Models

One of the key factors behind FinTech’s dominance is the inherent scalability of its business models. Once the necessary infrastructure and regulatory approvals are in place, these models have demonstrated robust performance across borders. The first half of 2025 saw a marked acceleration in deal activity, with payment solutions leading the charge with 28 deals in MENA—a significant increase over the previous year. Lending platforms, in particular, experienced a meteoric 500% year-over-year increase in funding, emerging as the fastest-growing subindustry. Such replicability makes FinTech an attractive proposition for investors seeking high-growth opportunities in diverse markets.

Supportive Regulatory And Government Backing

The strategic support offered by key government initiatives in the UAE and Saudi Arabia has been instrumental in propelling the FinTech sector forward. Progressive frameworks, such as the UAE’s open finance and digital asset directives, coupled with Saudi Arabia’s live-testing sandboxes, have materially lowered entry barriers for startups. These measures not only foster innovation but also streamline the path to commercialization. Consequently, the combined efforts of these regulatory bodies have enabled the UAE and Saudi Arabia to account for 86% of MENA’s total FinTech funding in H1 2025.

The resilience of FinTech in MENA is not merely a reflection of contemporary market trends—it signals a fundamental shift in the region’s economic fabric. With an unwavering commitment to addressing real financial challenges, scalable and replicable business practices, and robust regulatory support, FinTech is setting the benchmark for sustainable innovation. As capital markets become increasingly discerning, this sector stands out as a beacon of long-term growth and transformative impact.