Practice Areas > Investment Services, Fintech & Capital Markets
Overview
Malta has acquired international recognition as a centre of excellence in financial services. Despite a time of international market uncertainty and economic turmoil, the financial services sector in Malta continued to grow. Today, the Malta Financial Services Authority reports that Malta is registering significant growth in the number of investment services companies licensed in Malta. The country registered growth also in the number of financial institutions such as payment service providers and electronic money institutions as well as insurance companies licensed to undertake non-life insurance services. Following the enactment of industry-leading legislation, Malta also registered an exponential growth in the registration of fintech companies in the blockchain and regtech spaces.
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Today, the financial services industry accounts for over 12% of the country’s gross domestic product. This figure, in itself, is testament to the country’s commitment to the industry and to its ambition of becoming a top financial services jurisdiction.
The Malta Financial Services Authority, Malta’s single regulator for financial services, has ensured that this growth is coupled with regulation which, although flexible, is also serious and transparent so that Malta is regarded as a highly reputable jurisdiction.
Its one-stop shop constitution also provides for a streamlined and consistent approach to licensing and regulation, reducing bureaucratic burden and additional costs associated therewith. These advantages couple with the tax benefits of selecting Malta as a home jurisdiction for the provision of financial services, continues to make the country highly attractive for the licensing of international banking activities, fintech & blockchain activities, insurance and re-insurance, investment services including online forex, payment services, e-money services as well for the setting up and licensing of retail and professional funds.
The Process
Specialising
Lawyers
David Gonzi is managing partner of Gonzi & Associates, Advocates and has more than ten years experience in the provision of legal advice in the fields of financial services, IT and gaming.
In particular, David has assisted various companies with acquiring Malta licenses for the provision of investment services, financial institutions, online forex/binary options, emoney, payment services, funds, collective investment schemes and remote and land-based gaming.
He has a Masters (MA) in Financial Services from the University of Malta, a Masters in IT and Telecoms Law (LLM) from the University College of London, a Doctorate of Law from the University of Malta and a Diploma in Taxation from the Malta Institute of Taxation.
Education
2013: Diploma in Taxation, Malta Institute of Taxation
2009: M.A. Financial Services, University of Malta
2003: LL.M (IT and Telecommunication Law), University College of London
2002: Doctor of Laws, University of Malta
2001: Diploma of Notary Public, University of Malta
1999: Bachelor of Arts in Legal and Humanistic Studies, University of Malta
Professional Experience
2002 to present: Founder and Partner at Gonzi & Associates, Advocates
2002 - 2005: Malta Communications Authority, Senior Legal Adviser
Professional Memberships
Chamber of Advocates, Malta
Institute of Financial Services Practitioners, Malta
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