CySEC Steps Up AML Consultations As EU Rules Tighten

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

February 17, 2026

Regulatory Shift In Focus

The Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC) has issued a new circular informing regulated entities about recently launched public consultations by the Anti-Money Laundering Authority (AMLA). The notice applies to a wide range of market participants, including Cyprus investment firms, administrative service providers, UCITS management companies, alternative investment fund managers and crypto-asset service providers, highlighting a notable shift in the supervisory landscape.

Consultations On Draft Regulatory Technical Standards

AMLA has opened public consultations on draft Regulatory Technical Standards prepared under the European Union’s updated anti-money-laundering framework. The proposals focus on several core areas:

Follow THE FUTURE on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, X and Telegram

Business relationships: Draft standards under Article 19(9) set out criteria for establishing and maintaining business relationships, including rules for occasional and linked transactions and the introduction of lower reporting thresholds.
Customer due diligence: Under Article 28(1), the standards provide detailed guidance on customer identification and verification procedures, aiming to strengthen transparency during client onboarding.
Pecuniary sanctions and enforcement: Draft provisions under Article 53(10) address the handling of breaches, administrative penalties, and periodic penalty payments, reinforcing the enforcement architecture introduced by AMLD6.

Timelines And Participation

Clear deadlines have been set for stakeholder feedback. Comments on proposals concerning business relationships and customer due diligence are due by 8 May 2026, while responses related to enforcement measures must be submitted by 9 March 2026. An online public hearing dedicated to business relationships and due-diligence requirements is scheduled for 24 March 2026, with additional logistical details to be announced by AMLA.

Broad Implications And Strategic Developments

AMLA is encouraging participation from both financial and non-financial stakeholders, marking a more inclusive approach than earlier consultations led by European supervisory bodies. The authority stresses that early engagement will be particularly important for refining verification procedures, adjusting transaction-monitoring thresholds and ensuring smooth alignment with the evolving EU enforcement regime.

A Forward-Looking Governance Framework

In parallel, AMLA has unveiled its first multi-year strategic plan for 2026–2028, outlining the transition from a start-up phase to full operational capacity. The roadmap includes completion of the EU Single Rulebook, stronger supervisory convergence among member states, deeper cooperation between Financial Intelligence Units and a significant expansion of internal capacity, with staffing expected to grow from about 120 employees in late 2025 to more than 430 by the end of 2027

Conclusion

CySEC’s circular, together with AMLA’s strategic direction, points to a comprehensive strengthening of the EU anti-money-laundering framework. For Cyprus-based regulated entities, participation in these consultations represents both a compliance responsibility and a practical opportunity to help shape the standards that will guide future operational and reporting practices across the financial sector.

The Future Forbes Realty Global Properties

EU Services Production Grows As Information And Communication Lead

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

November 10, 2026

Services production continued to expand across the European Union in August 2026, with information and communication recording the strongest annual growth. However, performance varied significantly between industries and member states, while Cyprus reported a mixed picture, with business services expanding and hospitality-related activities declining.

Information And Communication Leads Sector Growth

Compared with August 2025, services production increased by 5.9% in the euro area and 5.8% across the EU in information and communication. Transportation and storage also recorded growth, rising by 2.1% and 1.9%, respectively.

Follow THE FUTURE on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, X and Telegram

Real estate activities increased by 1.6% in the euro area and 1.1% in the EU. Professional, scientific and technical activities grew by 1% in both areas, while administrative and support services advanced by 1.1% and 1.3%.

Accommodation and food services was the only major sector to record an annual decline, falling by 0.1% in both the euro area and the EU.

The monthly figures were more mixed. Information and communication remained the strongest performer, increasing by 1.2% in the euro area and 1% across the EU. Real estate activities rose by 0.4% and 0.9%, respectively, while transportation and storage edged up 0.1% in the euro area but declined by 0.2% in the EU.

Administrative and support services recorded modest gains of 0.2% in the euro area and 0.1% in the EU. Accommodation and food services fell by 0.3% and 0.4%, while professional, scientific and technical activities declined by 0.8% and 0.9%, respectively.

Slovakia And Greece Record Strongest Annual Growth

Romania recorded the largest monthly increase in services production, at 5.2%, followed by Malta at 1.8% and Portugal at 1.7%. Luxembourg experienced the steepest decline, with output falling by 5.1%, followed by Bulgaria at 2.3% and Denmark at 1.9%.

On an annual basis, Slovakia led with growth of 10%, followed by Greece at 9.3% and Malta at 7.5%. Hungary recorded the weakest performance, with services production declining by 5.6%. Denmark fell by 5.3%, while Italy recorded a smaller decrease of 0.3%.

Cyprus Sees Growth In Business Services But Weakness In Hospitality

Cyprus’ latest figures show a similar divide between expanding business services and weaker hospitality-related activities. According to the Statistical Service of Cyprus (Cystat), professional, scientific and technical activities recorded the strongest annual growth among the covered sectors in the second quarter of 2026, increasing by 3.4%.

Transportation and storage and information and communication both grew by 2.1%, while real estate activities rose by 1.6%. In contrast, accommodation and food services declined by 3.1% year on year, and administrative and support services fell by 2.2%.

First-half results were more favourable for several sectors. Between January and June, professional, scientific and technical activities grew by 3.5%, transportation and storage by 2.8%, real estate by 2.1% and information and communication by 1.3%.

Nevertheless, administrative and support services contracted by 1% over the six-month period, while accommodation and food services declined by 0.7%.

How Cyprus’ Figures Differ From Eurostat’s Data

The Eurostat and Cystat figures measure different aspects of economic activity and are not directly comparable. Eurostat’s services production index tracks changes in the volume of output, whereas Cystat’s Turnover Value Index for Services and Transport measures the value of sales at current prices.

The reporting periods also differ: Eurostat’s figures cover August, while the cited Cypriot data relate to the second quarter and first half of 2026.

Cystat transmits services production data to Eurostat but does not yet publish a separate national production index. Turnover figures therefore remain the main publicly available national indicator for the sector.

Taken together, the data point to continued growth in several of Cyprus’ business-oriented services, alongside persistent pressure on accommodation, food and administrative support activities.

Breaking news