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Telecoms, Media & Technology

Cryptocurrencies in Malta – A Legal Perspective

Explaining CryptocurrenciesCryptocurrencies (also referred to as virtual currencies) are a form of digital currency which utilise encryption techniques for security. The same cryptography techniques are used in order to verify transactions involving virtual coins, and further coins are generated using complex mathematical algorithms in a process termed 'mining'. These digital instruments are increasingly being used to pay for goods and services, and such transactions are facilitated via the blockchain platform; peer-to-peer technology which ensures transparency and accountability. At present, the most traded cryptocurrencies are Bitcoin and Ethereum, however a host of other coins are also in circulation.Cryptocurrency vs Traditional CurrencyVirtual currencies…
MamoTCV
27th November 2017
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Employment and Industrial Relations

Limiting post-termination of employment restraints?

In a Court of Appeal judgment dated the 27th October 2017, in the names of Paul u martu Mariella Mizzi kif ezercenti l-kummerc that l-isem "The Foto Grafer" v David Serracino et, the court considered a clause in a contract which effectively bound an employee to his employer for a period of at least two years of employment, failing which the employee was liable to pay to the employer the sum of Lm10,000. This sum was to be repaid back in view of the investment made by the employer to train the employee for the initial two years and in…
Christine Calleja
22nd November 2017
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Investment Services & Funds

The Malta Financial Services Authority launches a Consultation Document aimed at regulating Collective Investment Schemes investing in Virtual Currencies

The Malta Financial Services Authority (the "MFSA"), Malta's single regulator for the financial services industry, has published a consultation document through which it has formally kick-started the process for the regulation of collective investment schemes having as their investment objective the investment in virtual currencies.The launch of the consultation document foreshadows the regulatory approach to be adopted by the MFSA in relation to this specific faction of the digital economy, and, simultaneously, offers market participants the potential to design a platform tailor made for certain categories of investors willing to invest in virtual currencies.In terms of the draft rulebook issued…
Katya Tua
17th November 2017
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Employment and Industrial Relations

€350,000 in damages for breaching fiduciary obligations

In the recent judgment of M.A.I.N. Services Limited et v Albert Galea et (case 1246/07 JZM) delivered on the 28th September 2017, the Court examined in quite extensive detail the nature and the effects of fiduciary duties.The defendant had been a director and a trusted employee of the plaintiff company. Following his resignation from the company, a major foreign supplier ceased its business relationship with the company and started doing business with the defendant. In its judgment, the Court deemed that even following his resignation from the company as employee and director, the defendant had remained a fiduciary of the…
Christine Calleja
27th October 2017
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Telecoms, Media & Technology

GDPR Administrative Fines: New Guidelines Recently Adopted

On 25 May 2018, Regulation 2016/679, the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) will come into effect across the European Union (including Malta). As has been widely reported, infringement of the GDPR may lead to fines as high as €20,000,000 or 4% of an entity's total worldwide annual turnover (whichever is higher). On 3rd October 2017, the Article 29 Working Party adopted guidelines on the application and setting of the said administrative fines under the GDPR. The guidelines are intended for use by supervisory authorities to ensure improved application and enforcement of the GDPR and to encourage its consistent interpretation and…
Claude Micallef Grimaud
25th October 2017
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Banking & Finance

Michael Psaila moderates securitisation panel during the launch of the Institutional Financial Services Market at the Malta Stock Exchange.

Mamo TCV partner Michael Psaila moderated a panel on "Opportunities within the Securitisation Sector" during an event organized by the Malta Stock Exchange on Wednesday 18th October 2017 to launch the Institutional Financial Services Market.The panel discussed matters recent securitization trends at a domestic and international level, Malta's attractive suite of securitization legislation and the effects of the recently STS/CRR legislative package that was successfully negotiated on at an EU level during Malta's Presidency of the Council of the European Union.
Michael Psaila
20th October 2017