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CySEC’s 2025 Supervisory Priorities: AI, Fin-fluencers, And Compliance Mandates

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

February 13, 2025

The Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC) has outlined its supervisory priorities for 2025, focusing on emerging regulatory challenges and the evolving financial landscape. Key areas of attention will include artificial intelligence (AI), financial influencers (fin-fluencers), and compliance within fund management operations.

Focus On AI And Fin-fluencers

CySEC aims to adapt to the growing impact of AI on financial markets, as well as the influence of online financial promoters (fin-fluencers). With an increase in supervised entities, now at 834, the regulator is setting stricter compliance expectations for firms. Dr. George Theocharides, CySEC Chairman, emphasized that the supervisory priorities will guide regulated entities to enhance governance, and risk management, and address emerging market risks such as AI adoption and online financial promotions.

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Digital Operational Resilience And MiCA

A major part of the 2025 agenda is the implementation of the Digital Operational Resilience Act (DORA) and the Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (MiCA). These regulations aim to strengthen investor protection and ensure market stability. Firms will be required to review their policies, revise internal governance structures, and improve risk management frameworks to comply with these new requirements.

ESG And Technology Investment

ESG compliance remains a critical priority for CySEC in 2025. Firms will need to establish robust sustainability practices and improve reporting and disclosure standards. Additionally, investment in technology will be essential to enhance ICT risk management and ensure operational resilience. CySEC plans to issue circulars and technical documentation to clarify expectations for DORA and MiCA adherence.

Stakeholder Engagement And Interim Reviews

To assist firms in meeting these expectations, CySEC will host workshops and webinars to engage directly with stakeholders. These events will provide practical guidance for compliance and foster a culture of proactive regulation. Interim reviews will also be conducted to assess firms’ progress and provide feedback for continued compliance.

Conclusion

CySEC’s 2025 supervisory agenda reflects its commitment to maintaining market integrity, safeguarding investors, and ensuring that firms can successfully navigate the evolving regulatory landscape. By focusing on AI, fin-fluencers, and sustainable growth, CySEC aims to build a more resilient and transparent financial sector in Cyprus.

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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.