Practice Areas > Investment Services, Fintech & Capital Markets > E-Money Licence
Overview
At Gonzi & Associates, Advocates we combine our knowledge of the financial market and our understanding of the regulatory frameworks in force to offer Clients a fully tailored service in managing their corporate finance demands.
Why Malta?
Malta is considered to be an attractive jurisdiction for investing in capital markets. Malta joined the European Union in 2004 and adopted the Euro in 2008. Since then it has positioned itself so as to develop into a Financial Centre of excellence and offers:
- Attractive taxation rules: A company tax of 35% is available as a credit to shareholders when the distributions are made to them. Upon dividend payment, the shareholders become entitled to claim refunds of 6/7ths which effectively results in a tax rate of 5%. Furthermore, non-resident investors in listed securities are not subject to withholding tax on dividends and capital gains.
- EU Passporting Rights– Where Malta is the Home Member State and an Admission to Listing is provided for in one or more Member States or EEA States, other than Malta, the Prospectus approved by the Listing Authority and any supplements thereto shall be valid in any number of host Member States or EEA States, provided that ESMA and the regulatory authority of each Host Member State or EEA State is notified.
- Robust regulatory regime: Besides a pro-business attitude to regulation and a highly qualified work force.
Why List?
Listing creates a unique opportunity for your company to raise capital and also increase in size. By offering the opportunity to investors to invest in a percentage of your company and listing this percentage on a capital market, company owners will generate capital which in turn can be invested in the company to stimulate growth.
The Malta Financial Services Authority (MFSA) is the single regulator for financial services in Malta. The MFSA is also the Listing Authority that approves and recognizes Listing on the Malta Stock Exchange (MSE).
The Listings offered by the MSE are:
- The Official List– the principal market for qualifying companies under Chapter 3 of the Listing Rules;
- Alternative Companies List (ACL)– a market for companies that do not qualify under the Listing Rules for admissibility in the official list;
- Prospects– a new domestic capital market platform designed to cater for small and medium sized enterprises;
- The European Wholesale Securities Market (EWSM)-a regulated market for wholesale fixed income securities.
Each listing offers something unique and appealing to different enterprises. Whether it’s a large multinational, SMEs or something in between. These enterprises can choose the capital market that is right for them and which meets their needs.
Select your interest
How we can assist.
Prior to being admitted to List, any prospective issuer requires ‘Admissibility to Listing’ from the MFSA. The prospective issuer will need to find a Sponsor/Corporate Advisor, this is where we come in. Gonzi & Associates, Advocates will guide you through the entire Listing process and will also liaise with the MSE and the Listing Authority on your behalf.
The Process
Specialising
Lawyers
David Gonzi is managing partner of Gonzi & Associates, Advocates and has more than thirteen 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
Latest News
MFSA Guidance for MLROs in the Financial Services Sector
On 14 March 2024, the Malta Financial Services Authority (the "MFSA") published a guidance note entitled 'A Guidance for Money Laundering Reporting Officers in the Financial Sector' (the "Guidance") motivated…
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