From Dubai to Hong Kong to Tokyo, WikiEXPO has built a reputation as one of the largest fintech and digital assets exhibition series worldwide. This autumn, the platform and its sister initiative WikiBit will expand into Cyprus for the first time.
The event will take place on September 24, 2025, in Limassol, led by Justin Gao, CMO of WikiGlobal and the driving force behind WikiEXPO. With previous editions attracting thousands of in-person participants and millions of online viewers, the arrival of WikiEXPO & WikiBit in Cyprus marks a new chapter for the island’s role in global finance.
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The expansion comes as CySEC launches a national Regulatory Sandbox (June 2024), offering fintech and regtech firms a supervised space to test new technologies, while the EU’s MiCA framework raises standards for crypto-asset services across the bloc, with transitional rules in place until July 2026. Combined with Cyprus’s position at the crossroads of Europe, the Middle East, and North Africa, these regulatory developments have reinforced the island’s role as a regional hub for financial services and trading. Limassol, in particular, has emerged as the country’s fintech capital, already hosting major industry gatherings such as iFX EXPO International. Against this backdrop, WikiEXPO’s Cyprus edition will convene regulators, innovators, and investors to tackle issues from compliance and liquidity to AI and sustainable finance.
1. Can you walk us through your personal journey? What led you to take on the role of CMO at WikiEXPO and drive its global expansion?
Justin Gao: I joined the fintech group WikiGlobal in 2019, motivated by the energy and rapid evolution of the fintech and foreign exchange markets. That same year, WikiGlobal launched WikiEXPO as a platform dedicated to global financial dialogue and innovation. At a time of increasing regulatory demands across sectors such as forex and cryptocurrencies, our mission was to enhance transparency, support the healthy development of the financial ecosystem, and empower investors worldwide. Since then, WikiEXPO has grown into a trusted bridge connecting regulators, innovators, and investors.
2. When did the WikiEXPO series begin, and which markets or countries has it already launched in successfully?
Justin Gao: WikiEXPO was launched in 2019, with its first event held in Sydney with great success. Since then, we have expanded to major financial centers including Tokyo, Hong Kong, Singapore, Dubai, Bangkok, and Kuala Lumpur, building a strong presence across the Asia-Pacific region and extending into Europe and the United States. Looking ahead, we plan to continue growing into other leading hubs across Europe and the Middle East. Alongside the in-person events, our digital platforms WikiFX and WikiBit support 17 languages and serve users in more than 180 countries and regions, ensuring that our reach goes far beyond geographical boundaries.
3. What kind of feedback or impact have you seen in places like Dubai, Bangkok?
Justin Gao: WikiEXPO has consistently received strong positive feedback and created tangible impact in key financial hubs such as Dubai, Bangkok, Hong Kong, and Tokyo. Our events have become a platform where regulators, industry leaders, fintech innovators, and investors come together to exchange ideas and build collaborations. In the past year alone, the Bangkok event attracted more than 5,300 in-person attendees and 1.48 million online viewers; Dubai drew over 3,500 in-person participants and 1.2 million online viewers; and Hong Kong welcomed more than 5,800 attendees with 1.3 million online views.
In Bangkok, policymakers, including Mayoon Boonyarat, Director of the Revenue Tax Policy Division at Thailand’s Ministry of Finance, and Narun Popattanachai, Senior Legal Advisor to the Office of the Council of Thailand, highlighted how WikiEXPO raised awareness of the importance of regulatory transparency in maintaining a healthy trading environment. This helps traders and service providers navigate increasingly complex market conditions.
In Dubai, speakers such as Andrew Crawford, Vice President at Franklin Templeton, spoke about WikiEXPO’s role in bridging traditional finance with digital assets, while Loretta Joseph, Chair of IDAXA and Consultant to the FSC Jamaica, emphasized the importance of global regulatory collaboration. Regulatory figures, including Braden Perry (Arbitrator, NFA & FINRA) and Dr. Emomotimi Agama (Fellow, U.S. SEC & Managing Director, Nigeria SEC) spoke about WikiEXPO’s role in advancing discussions on financial inclusion, adaptive regulation, and regional cooperation.
These examples show that WikiEXPO is not only a forum for thought leadership but also a catalyst for practical cooperation and market insight.
Why did you choose Cyprus as the next destination?
Justin Gao: Cyprus is strategically located at the crossroads of Europe, the Middle East, and North Africa, which makes it an ideal location for our next global exhibition. Beyond geography, the country offers an advanced regulatory environment, a growing fintech ecosystem, and a continuously improving digital financial infrastructure. The recent launch of CySEC’s Regulatory Sandbox has also fostered a unique RegTech developer community. Limassol, in particular, is becoming a center for innovation and investment, and this aligns closely with our commitment to promoting secure, transparent, and responsible growth in global finance.
5. What distinguishes the Cyprus edition from previous events in terms of scale, themes, or structure? What can participants expect to experience in Limassol?
Justin Gao: WikiEXPO Cyprus, scheduled for September 24, 2025, in Limassol, will be one of Europe’s largest gatherings focused on fintech, forex, and cryptocurrencies. We expect more than 8,000 attendees and over 100 leading companies. What makes Cyprus unique is its emphasis on regulatory excellence and its role in serving emerging markets. The conference program will feature high-level panels and a dedicated regulatory forum covering key issues such as anti-money laundering frameworks, green finance, climate funds, AI integration, and liquidity solutions.
Confirmed guests include Marios Tannousis, CEO of Invest Cyprus and Board Member of EFAMA; Demetris Skourides, Chief Scientist, CTO, and Chief AI Officer of the Republic of Cyprus; and Andreas Spyrides, Head of Risk Advisory and Quantitative Risk at Grant Thornton Cyprus. In addition, our signature hybrid format will ensure that both in-person and online participants can engage meaningfully, wherever they are in the world.
6. Who are the main types of attendees you’re targeting, and how does WikiEXPO create meaningful connections for them?
Justin Gao: Our events are designed for decision-makers, regulators, investors, entrepreneurs, and professionals across forex, fintech, cryptocurrency, Web3, and regulatory sectors. We place strong emphasis on creating high-quality networking opportunities through roundtables, fireside chats, and exclusive meetups. By facilitating direct connections between attendees, project founders, institutional leaders, and regulators, WikiEXPO serves as a bridge linking global innovation with local influence.
7. Which core topics or technologies will take center stage this year, and why are they timely in 2025?
Justin Gao: For 2025, we will prioritize topics that reflect the evolving needs of the financial industry. These include regulatory compliance for foreign exchange and cryptocurrencies, digital asset infrastructure, anti-money laundering practices, derivatives trading, liquidity solutions, and sustainable investment vehicles such as green bonds and climate funds. Artificial intelligence will also be a major topic, particularly its applications in risk management and compliance automation. These areas are timely given the tightening of regulatory standards, growing investor demand for transparency, and the increasing importance of sustainable finance. At the same time, we remain committed to promoting safe trading practices and strengthening investor education.
8. How do you go about curating speakers and partners for each edition? Can you preview any major names or standout sessions coming to Cyprus?
Justin Gao: We select speakers and partners with proven expertise in fintech, regulatory policy, digital assets, and emerging technologies such as blockchain and AI. We aim to invite leading voices in their respective fields, including regulators, key opinion leaders (KOLs), and pioneering entrepreneurs. The Cyprus event will feature sessions on foreign exchange, cryptocurrencies, financial security and compliance, regulatory transformation, private equity, emerging markets, liquidity infrastructure, and ESG investment trends. The full lineup is still being finalized, and updates will be shared on our official channels, including our website and social media (LinkedIn, X). Ahead of the event, we will also host a private welcome reception for speakers and sponsors to encourage premium networking. Interested parties can contact me directly at Justin@wikiglobal.com.
9. What kind of measurable value do you believe WikiEXPO delivers for exhibitors and attendees?
Justin Gao: WikiEXPO delivers measurable value on several levels. Each event attracts between 5,000 and 8,000 registered attendees and reaches millions more through livestreams. For exhibitors, it offers opportunities for brand visibility, B2B matchmaking, and access to new markets. For attendees, it provides practical insights and long-term partnerships. With more than 75 successful events to date, we have supported thousands of collaborations and continue to influence conversations in the global fintech industry. At its core, our mission is to foster a safe, fair, and informed trading environment.
10. What kind of long-term impact do you hope WikiEXPO Cyprus will leave on the local financial and tech ecosystem?
Justin Gao: We see WikiEXPO Cyprus 2025 as a catalyst for long-term growth in the region. By bringing international attention and encouraging cross-border collaboration, our aim is to help strengthen Limassol’s position as a fintech hub. The event is designed to create dialogue between local institutions and global innovators, support the development of regulatory frameworks, and promote a safer and more transparent trading environment. Ultimately, our goal is not only to deliver a successful event but to contribute to a stronger and more connected financial ecosystem in Cyprus and beyond.
For more information about WikiEXPO Cyprus 2025 and how to join, visit WikiEXPO.com
