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CIFA: A Year Of Strategic Growth And Opportunity For Investment Funds In 2025

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

The Cyprus Investment Funds Association (CIFA) is stepping into 2025 with renewed confidence, building on the significant achievements of the past years. Despite the global uncertainties that continue to unfold, Cyprus’ Investment Funds sector has firmly established itself as a vital contributor to the nation’s economic and social prosperity.

In 2024, Cyprus reached a major milestone, surpassing €9.3 billion in assets under management. This remarkable achievement highlights the sector’s impressive growth and resilience. The year also marked an expansion of Cyprus’ global presence, attracting new fund managers and investment opportunities, further cementing its status as a leading European hub for Investment Funds. This success was driven by strategic collaborations and the dedicated efforts of professionals within the sector, fostering the creation of specialized job roles and reinforcing Cyprus’ position as a robust financial centre.

Looking ahead to 2025, CIFA remains fully committed to promoting Cyprus as the premier destination for global investment funds. By working alongside key stakeholders, including the Ministry of Finance, the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission, and Invest Cyprus, CIFA aims to enhance the regulatory framework and drive innovative solutions for the industry. The timely approval of pending legislation that modernizes regulatory processes and introduces new investment structures is crucial for unlocking the full potential of the sector. These updates will provide the industry with the necessary tools to stay competitive and aligned with international best practices. CIFA urges all stakeholders to prioritize this agenda to ensure Cyprus continues to attract high-quality investments and talent.

In addition, CIFA recognises the importance of equipping individuals and businesses with essential financial knowledge. In 2025, the association plans to roll out initiatives designed to boost financial literacy across Cyprus. These will include workshops, partnerships, and digital campaigns aimed at enhancing understanding of investment funds and financial planning. By empowering citizens and professionals with the knowledge to make informed financial decisions, CIFA is contributing to the long-term economic resilience of Cyprus.

Maria Panayiotou, President of CIFA, shares her outlook for the year: “The success of the Investment Funds sector is a reflection of our adaptability, innovation, and ability to thrive in a competitive global market. In 2025, our focus will be on sustainability, technology-driven solutions, and strengthening our partnerships across markets. Our goal is to drive economic growth while delivering lasting value for society. With the combined expertise and dedication of our sector, I am confident that we will continue to play a transformative role in Cyprus’ economy, fostering resilience and creating opportunities for all.”

As Cyprus embarks on a year of revitalisation and resilience, CIFA remains steadfast in advocating for the interests of its members, elevating Cyprus on the international stage, and supporting initiatives that promote sustainable development within the financial sector. The association calls on all stakeholders to collaborate in advancing the innovation, sustainability, and resilience that will define Cyprus’ financial future.

X Bets On A Better Video Editor To Lure Original Creators And Reduce Recycled Content

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

X is rolling out new video editing and recording tools for its iOS app as the platform seeks to encourage more original content and strengthen its creator ecosystem.

A Push Toward Original Video

The update introduces several features aimed at helping creators produce and edit videos directly within the app. New tools include multilingual caption overlays with customizable styles and green-screen effects that can use photos from a user’s camera roll or other posts on X.

“One of our biggest priorities is to give creators the tools to create original content [and] reward those creators,” X Head of Product Nikita Bier wrote in a post on the platform.

“We have plenty more updates coming to the video editor in the coming weeks,” he added.

Encouraging Native Content

According to Bier, the goal is to make it easier for creators to publish original videos on X rather than reposting content from other platforms.

Video has become an increasingly important part of X’s strategy. Bier said posts containing video already account for nearly half of all impressions on the platform, investing in creator tools a key priority.

Competition For Creators Intensifies

The launch comes as major social media platforms compete to attract and retain creators through editing tools, audience reach and monetisation programmes.

While X already offers creator revenue sharing, it faces competition from platforms such as YouTube, TikTok and Meta, all of which provide more mature creator ecosystems and established content management tools.

Meta, for example, allows Reels creators to report unauthorised reposts and add attribution to eligible content, while YouTube has long relied on automated systems to identify copyrighted uploads.

Spam And Bots Remain A Challenge

The new editing tools also arrive as X continues its broader efforts to combat spam and automated accounts. Earlier this year, Bier said the company was detecting and suspending around 208 bots per minute, adding that a significant share of the product team remained focused on anti-spam development.

The challenge extends beyond X. Reddit has introduced AI-powered tools to combat increasingly sophisticated spam, while Digg shut down its app earlier this year after citing the growing difficulty of managing automated content.

For now, X’s new video editor and recorder are available only on iOS, while the Android version remains under development.

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