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Gender Equality Remains A Top Priority, Says Cypriot President

Gender equality remains a core priority for the Government, President Nikos Christodoulides stated on Wednesday during the presentation of the Commissioner for Gender Equality Josie Christodoulou’s report for March–December 2023.

Highlighting the Government’s commitment, President Christodoulides remarked, “There is still much work ahead, but we are encouraged by the progress we’re seeing. It is precisely these results that compel us to continue.” He emphasized that the report’s findings would be thoroughly examined by the Secretariat for Monitoring the Government’s Work to identify obstacles and inefficiencies, ensuring they are addressed in the 2025 annual planning.

Commissioner Christodoulou underscored the Government’s integrated approach, noting that policies promoting work-life balance, the increasing number of women in the Council of Ministers, education reforms, and comprehensive measures to combat violence against women are accelerating progress toward true gender equality. She also informed the President that Cyprus had climbed to 20th place in the European Institute for Gender Equality rankings this year.

“By integrating gender considerations across all Ministries and Deputy Ministries, we are advancing toward substantive equality between women and men,” Christodoulou said while acknowledging that significant challenges remain.

Deputy Minister to the President, Irene Piki, also attended the meeting, reflecting the Government’s united front on gender equality.

A Broader Perspective

While Cyprus doubles down on its commitment to gender equality, the global narrative presents a contrasting picture. In recent months, some companies and institutions have shifted away from Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives, citing either a re-evaluation of priorities or criticism of their efficacy. Cyprus’ steadfast focus on equality amidst this backdrop serves as a reminder that achieving substantial change requires persistence, adaptability, and a clear vision—values that remain at the heart of the Christodoulides administration’s policies.

Cyprus Crypto Users Face New Risks As MiCA Rules Take Effect

Why Investors Need To Check The Company Behind Their Crypto Platform

Crypto users in Cyprus are being urged to verify exactly which company holds their assets after the EU’s Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (MiCA) transition period ended on July 1, 2026.

MiCA rules for crypto-asset service providers have applied since December 2024, but Cyprus allowed companies operating under its previous national framework to continue temporarily. CySEC required providers wishing to remain in the market to apply by February 27, 2026.

The end of the transition means that appearing on an old national register is no longer enough. Investors must check the specific legal entity providing the service and the activities it is authorised to perform.

Two Regulatory Routes

CySEC maintains separate registers for providers authorised under Article 63 and companies using the Article 60 notification route.

The lists should not simply be treated as a count of licensed crypto exchanges. Providers have different regulatory statuses and may be authorised for different services, including custody, transfers, exchanges or operating trading platforms.

Companies authorised elsewhere in the EU can also serve Cypriot customers through MiCA passporting. Investors should therefore check the wider ESMA register.

Familiar Brands Can Still Be Used In Scams

MiCA authorisation applies to a specific legal entity, not automatically to every website, subsidiary or service using the same brand. Fraudsters can copy a legitimate company’s name, logo and licence number while changing its website or payment details.

The regulatory transition creates another opportunity for scammers. They can imitate legitimate notices about account closures or transfers and claim that customers must urgently move their assets to a new “regulated” platform.

In its July announcement, CySEC warned that customers using unauthorised providers do not receive MiCA protections and advised investors to verify providers through ESMA.

A Wider European Shake-Up

The changes affect the broader European crypto market. VASPnet estimated that more than 1,700 unlicensed crypto companies could face closure, relocation or restructuring after the transition period.

ESMA’s register contained 323 authorised providers at the end of July, while TRM Labs identified 1,343 operating providers in the European Economic Area on July 1, including 281 with MiCA authorisation. The different figures reflect different methodologies, but point to a substantial number of providers operating without the new authorisation.

ESMA instructed unauthorised companies to stop accepting new EU customers, opening accounts and marketing their services, while allowing limited activity needed for an orderly withdrawal.

What Investors Should Check

MiCA introduces common requirements for areas such as governance, disclosures and safeguarding client assets, but it does not make crypto investments risk-free.

For Cyprus users, the key questions are which legal entity provides the service, what it is authorised to do and whether the website or contact details are genuine.

Requests to transfer assets urgently, pay recovery fees, reveal private keys or install remote-access software should be treated as red flags. MiCA may bring greater clarity to the market, but the transition has also created a new opportunity for criminals to exploit a very real regulatory change.

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