The European Blockchain Sandbox (the ‘Sandbox’) is a pan-European dialogue between innovators who come up with particularly interesting, original and useful applications for blockchain technology, and the relevant regulatory authorities that would be involved in such a project. The Sandbox is running from 2023 to 2026 and each year is supporting 20 use cases on the European Blockchain Services Infrastructure (EBSI). Applications for the third and final cohort are now open. Maltese companies (including start-ups) interested in participating have until the deadline of 31 January 2025 to apply. More information, including the application form and the terms of the application…
Family offices which choose to manage their global investments from Malta have been given a new legal exemption through a recent amendment in the applicable investment services rulebook of the Malta Financial Services Authority (“MFSA”). On the 27th of November 2024, the MFSA issued a circular titled “Establishment of Single Family Offices in Malta”. The circular provides that a Notified Professional Investor Fund (“NPIF”) which is set up to solely manage the investment of a single family office (without raising external capital) does not require a licensed fund manager anymore. This is a beneficial exemption which reduces cost and bureaucracy…
Dr Annalies Muscat was invited to address the prestigious Annual Company Law Conference organised by the Malta Chamber of Advocates at the University of Malta Valletta campus on 20 November 2024. Dr Muscat spoke about the local experience in the control of mergers and acquisitions. She highlighted the importance of knowing when a concentration notification needs to be made to the Office for Competition and explained how the process is carried out, with particular reference to two local case studies. The Conference is now in its twenty-first year and has become a staple in the legal practitioner’s diary, covering topical…