Skip to main content

FinTech

FinTech

Practice Area Overview

Malta was one of the first jurisdictions to introduce a framework to regulate crypto-asset business way back in 2018. The Virtual Financial Assets (VFA) Act and its underlying framework brought about legal and regulatory certainty for operators wishing to provide services in relation to assets that are intrinsically dependent on, or utilise, Distributed Ledger Technology, in or from Malta. Having a regulatory framework governing crypto-asset activity puts the jurisdiction in an expedient position to adopt the proposed Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (MiCA) which forms part of the European Commission’s Digital Finance Package currently being negotiated at European-level. The transition from a home-grown regime to a European one is expected to be smooth and pragmatic.

Digital Finance goes beyond crypto. It encompasses a wider array of technology-enabled financial services offerings. In this context, the Malta Financial Services Authority (MFSA) proceeded to launch a FinTech Strategy and a FinTech Regulatory Sandbox with the objective of enabling FinTech adoption within industry incumbents and start-ups alike, and establishing a contained environment for FinTech operators to test their innovative products and services. Such initiatives show the jurisdiction’s openness in considering digitally innovative business proposals within financial services, supporting the fulfilment of Europe’s Digital Finance Strategy.

Mamo TCV’s reputation as one of Malta’s leading practices in the fields of technology and finance is without question. With the firm taking an active part throughout the various consultation processes which were undertaken by the Maltese Government and the MFSA over the past years, an excellent relationship was forged with all the involved entities and authorities, built on a mutual understanding of the policies regulating this sector. Our FinTech team is comprised of seasoned experts stemming from a variety of legal backgrounds, including finance, technology and corporate law.

Get In Touch
DORA: Is it applicable to you?
Find out more on our dedicated DORA section by clicking here
Scope of Services
  • Regulatory advice on the setting up of crypto-asset businesses and related ongoing obligations
  • Compliance support and assistance relating to the Virtual Financial Assets Act and its underlying framework
  • Tailored regulatory advice in relation to the licencing of business models proposing to use innovative technology arrangements in the traditional regulatory space
  • Support in the preparation of the MFSA FinTech Regulatory Sandbox proposal and application process
  • Compliance support for FinTech operators
  • Provision of bespoke regulatory training relating to Digital Finance
  • Drafting of documentation required to meet pre- and post-licencing obligations
  • Advice in relation to financial crime compliance
  • Drafting of contracts, T&Cs and agreements
  • Drafting of privacy policies and general data protection compliance
  • EU-wide management and consolidation of intellectual property portfolios

Key Contacts

Katya Tua - Mamo TCV Advoacates
Katya Tua

“Mamo TCV Advocates‘ fintech offering comprises specialists with financial services, banking, corporate and intellectual property expertise. The firm is equally adept at assisting with regulatory and transactional issues, and is thus instructed by clients from a range of major industry sectors, including leading local banks, pharmaceutical companies, domestic telecoms service providers, and multi-national software corporations. Katya Tua heads up the practice.”

The Legal 5002022

“The team at Mamo TCV Advocates offers advisory and transactional services to a range of clients from banks to telecoms providers to software companies. It has assisted clients in setting up a VFA exchange and advised on obtaining a license under the new virtual financial asset framework. The team is led by Katya Tua, who is experienced in investment services.”

The Legal 5002021

“What the team is known for A respected Maltese firm, Mamo TCV has developed an able and integrated FinTech practice assisting traditional financial institutions with the digital development of their businesses. The team is depended upon by a number of banks for advice in relation to data protection, IT outsourcing and IP matters, and by various FinTech entities in obtaining Malta's Virtual Financial Assets licence.”

Chambers Fintech2021

“They did not shy away from guiding us and enabling us in a very diplomatic manner with strong combined expertise.”

Chambers Fintech2021

Stay updated with our latest insights

Explore Insights
High rise in Malta
FinTech

Fintech Insights #10 –
Raising Funds Through Tokenisation

The EU’s process towards further harmonisation of its Capital Markets Union (“CMU”) provides a timely context for the implementation of tokenisation. The CMU aims to create a single, integrated financial market across the EU, fostering cross-border investments, mobilising citizens’ personal savings and reducing the reliance on bank-driven financing. The implementation of tokenisation within capital markets can help achieve these objectives by enabling frictionless trading and unlocking access to new pools of capital whilst increasing liquidity. As discussed in the previous insight on tokenisation in Malta, tokenisation reimagines asset representation by embedding ownership and legal rights into programmable tokens recorded on…
Euro symbol on banknote
FinTech

MFSA Consolidates Maltese CASP Supervision

On the 4th of April 2025, the Malta Financial Services Authority (“MFSA”) published a circular addressed to all crypto-asset service providers (“CASPs”) licensed under the Markets in Crypto-Assets Act, Chapter 647 of the Laws of Malta, which integrates the EU’s Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (“MiCAR”). The circular informs CASP licence-holders (“LH”) of the publication of the Crypto-Asset Service Provider Return (“CASP Return”). The CASP Return forms part of the MFSA’s efforts to build a consistent and transparent regulatory framework for CASPs in Malta. Through the introduction of formalised reporting obligations, the Authority will support greater regulatory oversight and contribute to…
Triangular Patterns
DORA

MFSA Issues Two Circulars on ICT Risk

On the 16th of January 2025, the MFSA published a circular on the register of information-reporting-timelines for MFSA-authorised persons. Subsequently, on the 17th of January 2025, the MFSA published another circular outlining several resources uploaded to its website to assist compliance with Regulation (EU) 2022/2554 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 14 December 2022 on digital operational resilience for the financial sector (“DORA”). The circular issued on 16th of January 2025 focuses on the Register of Information required under Article 28(3) of DORA. This register mandates financial entities to document all contractual arrangements with ICT Third-Party Service Providers (“ICT TPPs”), ensuring transparency in…
St James Cavalier Web Dome
DORA
DORA is Now in Force: What’s Next?
European Blockchain Sandbox
FinTech
European Blockchain Sandbox & MDIA Joint Webinar
Fintech Insights 9
FinTech
Fintech Insights #9 –
Tokenisation in Malta