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CySEC Withdraws Licences And Memberships In Strategic Regulatory Action

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.

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.

Cyprus Hotel Bookings Recover, But Season Still Set For 20% Loss

Hotel bookings in Cyprus are showing signs of recovery after months of disruption linked to tensions in the Middle East. However, the island’s tourism industry is still facing an average loss of about 20 per cent for the remainder of the season, according to the president of the hotel managers association.

Booking Momentum Returns, But Losses Persist

Christos Angelides said the wave of cancellations recorded over the past two to three months has eased, with bookings improving both in the short term and for the remainder of the season.

Speaking to the Cyprus News Agency, he said demand has yet to recover sufficiently to offset earlier losses or deliver what would normally be considered a strong year for the tourism sector.

Hotels Adjust Pricing To Support Demand

Hotels and other tourism businesses are responding with more competitive pricing and targeted promotional campaigns, including offers aimed at the domestic market. Angelides noted that airfares and accommodation prices in competing destinations have also increased.

“Destinations which were previously considered cheaper than us no longer are,” he said. At the same time, he expects more Cypriots to weigh household budgets before choosing to travel abroad.

Airlines And Israeli Tourism Show Early Signs Of Recovery

Asked about flight cancellations and route adjustments, Angelides said airlines have reduced some services because of higher aviation fuel costs. He expressed hope that easing regional tensions would lower fuel prices and airfares, supporting a stronger autumn and potentially winter season.

Visitor numbers from Israel have also started to recover after falling to almost zero for roughly two to three months. Angelides said daily arrivals are increasing and that even short stays of two or three days would provide meaningful support to the tourism industry. Last-minute bookings, he added, are already helping to strengthen demand and could continue to support the sector through the rest of the season.

Protecting Cyprus’ Tourism Reputation

Despite weaker occupancy rates, Angelides said maintaining service quality remains essential. He identified two immediate priorities for the sector: recovering from the decline in hotel occupancy recorded in March, April and May, and safeguarding Cyprus’ reputation as “a quality and pleasant destination” built over many years.

Angelides also called for a sustained promotional campaign through the end of 2027 to help restore momentum in international markets and dispel any remaining concerns about Cyprus as a safe destination.

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