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Government Submits Bill To Parliament On US Visa Waiver Conditions For Cypriots

The Cyprus government has submitted a bill to the House of Representatives plenary, aiming at meeting the necessary preconditions for the Republic of Cyprus to join the United States Visa Waiver Programme.

The bill which was approved by the Cabinet on 19 June, authorised the Minister of Justice and Public Order to present it to the House of Representatives for enactment.

The primary objective of this bill is to ratify the agreement, following Article 169.2 of the Constitution, between Cyprus and the US governments on travel information cooperation. This agreement was signed in Washington D.C., on June 17, 2024.

The agreement establishes a framework for cooperation between the two countries in evaluating, reviewing, and exchanging travel information. It also aims to develop risk assessments to identify specific individuals travelling internationally, who may pose a security threat to either of the involved nations.

At present, Cyprus, Romania, and Bulgaria are the only EU member states whose nationals still need a visa to enter the US.

Chime’s Nasdaq Debut: A 37% Leap in the Fintech Arena

Chime set to debut on Nasdaq

On June 12, 2025, Chime had a groundbreaking debut on Nasdaq, where its shares surged by an impressive 37%. Initially priced above the expected range at $27, the shares closed the day at $37.11, setting a new market cap of $13.5 billion. From a valuation of $25 billion in its last venture round, this IPO marks a recalibration for Chime amidst evolving market dynamics.

The offering raised roughly $700 million, with an additional $165 million from existing shareholders. Despite the lower valuation, CEO Chris Britt highlights Chime’s commitment to serving Americans earning $100,000 or less, often overlooked by traditional banks. “We help our members avoid fees, access liquidity, and build savings,” Britt stated confidently.

Chime’s strong revenue momentum, with $518.7 million reported last quarter and a revenue increase by 32% year-over-year, underscores its growth potential. The company also achieved $25 million in adjusted profitability, improving its profit margin by 40 points over the past two years.

Chime now stands among fintech giants like eToro and Circle, rekindling investor interest in fintech IPOs. The future looks promising as other players like Klarna and Bullish eye public offerings.

For further insights into fintech innovation and investment opportunities, explore European Banking Evolution: Cyprus as a Catalyst for Regulatory Innovation and discover how Cyprus continues to play a pivotal role in financial advancements.

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