Breaking news

Visa Launches Cyber Threat Intelligence Platform For Financial Institutions

Visa has launched the Visa Threat Intelligence Platform (VTIP), a new cybersecurity solution designed to help financial institutions identify and contain cyber threats before they lead to fraud, financial losses or operational disruption.

A Shift From Response To Prevention

VTIP builds on the same cybersecurity technologies Visa uses to protect its global payments network. Rather than focusing solely on fraudulent transactions, the platform aims to detect the earlier stages of an attack, including credential theft, data breaches and system compromise.

Those threats can emerge anywhere across the payments ecosystem, from merchants and card issuers to acquirers and payment service providers, with stolen data often ending up on illicit marketplaces before being used for fraud.

Detecting Threats Earlier

“Fraud is often the result of cyber attacks that are not identified in time,” said Nikos Petrakis, Country Manager of Visa in Greece.

“With the Visa Threat Intelligence Platform, we are helping financial institutions identify risks earlier and respond more effectively before they evolve into fraud or financial losses.”

According to Petrakis, combining cybersecurity intelligence with payment data enables financial institutions to strengthen customer protection, reduce fraud-related losses and reinforce trust in digital payments.

Developed Inside Visa’s Own Network

Visa said the platform was created by its internal cybersecurity teams and tested across the company’s global payments network before being offered to customers.

The company says it blocks around 90 million cyberattacks and 11 million phishing emails every month across more than 200 countries as part of its efforts to maintain uninterrupted payment services.

Built For Financial Institutions

VTIP is designed for cybersecurity, fraud prevention and risk management teams.

Its capabilities include detecting malware and indicators of compromise, identifying organisation-specific vulnerabilities, monitoring brand impersonation, protecting executives and employees from identity-based attacks, and identifying stolen payment credentials circulating on the dark web.

By combining multiple intelligence sources, the platform helps financial institutions prioritise risks and respond before cyber incidents escalate into large-scale fraud.

Growing Investment In Payment Security

The launch reflects Visa’s broader investment in cybersecurity as digital payment ecosystems become increasingly complex. The company said it has invested more than $13 billion over the past five years in technologies designed to strengthen network security and reduce fraud.

As cyber threats continue to evolve, Visa aims to give financial institutions access to the same intelligence capabilities it uses to protect its own global payments infrastructure.

Cyprus Property Deals Reach €286 Million Despite Second-Quarter Uncertainty

Cyprus’ high-end property market remained active in the first half of 2026, although geopolitical uncertainty may have weighed on investment activity during the second quarter.

€286.4 Million Across The 50 Largest Deals

Property transactions worth a combined €286.4 million ranked among Cyprus’ 50 highest-value deals completed between January and June, according to real estate analytics firm Ask Wire.

Examining the country’s biggest sales across all districts, the report found that the 10 largest transactions alone accounted for €161.7 million, highlighting the concentration of activity at the upper end of the market.

Limassol Extends Its Lead

A €55 million sale involving a building and adjoining fields in Moni was the largest property transaction recorded during the period.

Six of the country’s 10 biggest deals took place in Limassol, with a combined value of €117.2 million. Paphos followed with three transactions worth €35.5 million, while Larnaca recorded one €9 million sale.

Across the broader ranking, Limassol’s 10 largest transactions reached €148.2 million, representing 51.7% of the total value of the top 50 deals. Paphos followed with €68.8 million (24%), while Nicosia recorded €26.7 million. Famagusta narrowly surpassed Larnaca, reaching €21.4 million compared with €21.2 million.

Land Continues To Drive High-Value Deals

According to Ask Wire CEO Pavlos Loizou, land acquisitions continue to dominate Cyprus’ largest property transactions.

“The land market dominates the list of the 10 highest-value property transactions, with seven sales involving fields and plots.”

Many of those sites are expected to be developed into luxury residential and hospitality projects, he added.

Office Demand Remains Strong

Growing demand for office space also reflects the expansion of international companies establishing operations in Cyprus, Loizou said.

“We continue to observe growing demand for office properties, reflecting the expansion of the new ecosystem of international companies that has been establishing itself in Cyprus in recent years.”

Eight of the 10 largest transactions were completed during the first quarter of 2026, with activity slowing in the following three months.

Loizou said the slowdown may reflect investor caution linked to the conflict in the Middle East, which appears to have influenced investment decisions during the second quarter.

The Future Forbes Realty Global Properties
Aretilaw firm
eCredo
Uol

Become a Speaker

Become a Speaker

Become a Partner

Subscribe for our weekly newsletter