Opens in a new tab

Breaking news

Central Bank of Cyprus Imposes Significant €350,000 Fine on Payabl. Cy Ltd

Central Bank Enforces AML Compliance

The Central Bank of Cyprus has sanctioned Payabl. Cy Ltd, formerly known as Powercash21 Ltd, with a fine totaling €350,000. This penalty comes as a direct consequence of the company’s failure to comply with specific provisions of the 2007 legislation governing the Prevention and Suppression of Money Laundering from Illegal Activities.

The Basis for the Decision

Grounded in Article 59 of the relevant law, the decision was finalized on September 30, 2025, following a 2020 audit. The regulatory process was conducted in strict accordance with administrative law procedures, ensuring that Payabl. Cy Ltd was afforded the opportunity to submit a defense prior to the final ruling.

Regulatory Oversight and Strategic Enforcement

In exercising its supervisory mandate, the Central Bank of Cyprus is empowered to implement administrative measures and impose penalties for lapses in compliance with applicable laws and directives. This enforcement action reinforces the bank’s strategy to promote transparency and combat money laundering within the financial sector.

Corporate Response and Future Steps

A representative of Payabl. Cy Ltd remarked that the fine pertains to an investigation conducted in 2020, linked to customer relationships from the period 2014–2018—a period during which the company had already ceased relations with those clients. The spokesperson emphasized that the current operations, leadership, and client base remain unaffected by these historical findings. Additionally, the company has significantly bolstered its AML compliance framework since then. Payabl. Cy Ltd has indicated its intention to appeal the decision before the Administrative Court, contesting the ruling as disproportionate given the historical nature of the case.

Cyprus-Based ASBIS Hits Record $1.05bn In Monthly Revenue, Up 216% Year On Year

The technology distributor ASBIS Group, headquartered in Limassol, has exceeded $1 billion in monthly sales for the first time in its history, reporting preliminary consolidated revenue of $1.05 billion in September 2026, more than three times the amount recorded a year earlier.

The figure represents a 216% increase from $332 million in September 2025, making it the highest-revenue month in the company’s history.

ASBIS reported its strongest sales growth in servers and server components, while CEO Serhei Kostevitch pointed to growing demand for artificial intelligence solutions and computing infrastructure as an opportunity for the business.

For a company operating across Europe, the Middle East and Africa, September marked a new sales milestone following several months of substantial year-on-year growth.

Kostevitch attributed the record performance to the group’s existing operations, highlighting its broad product portfolio, international market presence and strong relationships with manufacturers and trading partners.

“Most importantly, this result is the outcome of our regular operating activities,” he said.

The CEO also highlighted the company’s portfolio of projects as a reason for confidence in continued AI-related development.

However, the group’s growth was not limited to AI-related technologies. Smartphones also performed strongly in September, with Kostevitch stressing that “we are growing beyond the AI segment as well.”

Kazakhstan, the United Arab Emirates and Ukraine accounted for the largest shares of ASBIS’s September revenue, followed by Slovakia and Poland.

Growth Follows Record First Half

September’s results follow a period of strong financial performance for ASBIS.

In July, the company reported preliminary consolidated revenue of $531 million, an increase of 89% compared with the same month in 2025. August brought a further rise to $604 million, up 91% year on year.

September’s $1.05 billion figure represents a substantial increase on both months, although the company has not provided a detailed breakdown explaining the acceleration.

The results also follow a record first half of 2026, when ASBIS generated approximately $2.97 billion in consolidated revenue, up 76% year on year.

Net profit after tax reached $80.6 million, compared with $19.4 million in the same period in 2025.

The second quarter was particularly strong, with revenue reaching $1.69 billion, an increase of 78.7%, while quarterly net profit more than tripled to $44.3 million.

ASBIS has emphasised that its September revenue figures are preliminary estimates and may differ from the final reported results.

Aretilaw firm
Uol
eCredo
The Future Forbes Realty Global Properties

Become a Speaker

Become a Speaker

Become a Partner

Subscribe for our weekly newsletter