Financial Center News #106

🚀 Our member DIFC just released the third edition of its flagship "Future of Finance" series, in collaboration with Asia House.

📘 This new report explores how AI and emerging technologies, including blockchain, cloud computing, and digital tools, are reshaping the global financial services industry.

💡 From operational efficiency and cost reduction to financial inclusion and sustainable growth, the insights are both timely and impactful.

📍 Dubai continues to shine as a global innovation hub, supported by bold government initiatives, active funding, and a dynamic FinTech ecosystem.

👏 At World Alliance of International Financial Centers (WAIFC), we are proud to see our members leading the way. We also released our white paper on the Future of Financial Centers, highlighting the evolving role of IFCs in a rapidly transforming world.

👥 Inclusion is not a "nice to have" — it's a must. At World Alliance of International Financial Centers (WAIFC), we are deeply committed to advancing gender equity in finance and beyond. 💼

📊 A recent study shared by Men for Inclusion reveals that: 🔹 69% of women say their ideas are not considered unless repeated by someone else. 🔹 57% of women feel they don't have proper access to sponsorship to reach senior roles.

These numbers speak for themselves. There is still a long road ahead, and we need everyone at the table, including men, to drive change.

👣 At WAIFC, we are proud to promote inclusive leadership, support best practices, and highlight initiatives like our Women in Finance Toolkit to help move the needle.

The ADGM Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA) has implemented key amendments to its digital asset regulatory framework, effective immediately.

Following industry feedback on Consultation Paper No. 11 of 2024, the updates streamline the process for recognizing Accepted Virtual Assets (AVAs), refine capital requirements and fees for VA Firms, and formally prohibit the use of privacy tokens and algorithmic stablecoins within ADGM.

The scope of permissible investments by Venture Capital Funds has also been expanded. The updated guidance provides clarity for firms on applying AVA assessment criteria.

🌐 On June 9, #AIFC hosted a roundtable with representatives from Kazakhstan and #NorthMacedonia to discuss expanding #trade, #investment, and #tourism ties.

📌 AIFC showcased its platform to the North Macedonian delegation: 💠 3900+ companies from 80+ countries 💠 $14.8B+ in investments attracted since 2018 💠 Leading financial hub in Central Asia & Eastern Europe

The delegation from North Macedonia, led by Minister of Foreign Affairs and External Trade Timčo Mucunski, highlighted the country's potential in technology and tourism.

In 2024, bilateral trade grew by 64.4%, reaching $7.4M. 11 companies with North Macedonian capital are operating in Kazakhstan.

Busan is moving forward as a global hub city, powered by its strengths in the maritime and financial industries.

We're excited to welcome you to the WAIFC Annual General Meeting 2026 — and to showcase Busan's growing role as a global financial center.

Relive key moments from the CFC Insights Conference, held to mark the launch of our latest report Africa Insights. A gathering of leaders, experts, and key stakeholders committed to accelerating sustainable development across the continent.

From insightful presentations to dynamic panel discussions, the event fostered meaningful exchanges and forward-looking perspectives.

Discover the report: Catalyzing Africa's Sustainable Transition – a deep dive into the data, challenges, and solutions shaping the continent's green future.

#DIFC Beat — June edition: Opportunities in fixed income alternatives, new courses, and our third Future of Finance report.

H.E. Oskar Benedikt, Ambassador of the European Union (EU) to Mauritius, paid a courtesy call on 30 May 2025 to Mr. Mahen Kundasamy, CEO of the Economic Development Board (EDB) of Mauritius. This meeting reaffirmed the deep and lasting ties between the EU and Mauritius.

In a global geopolitical context characterized by a fragmentation of trade and a recomposition of international economic balances, Mauritius is perceived by the EU as an ideal platform for European companies wishing to diversify their value chains.

This attractiveness is based on Mauritius' political stability, the solidity of its legal framework, its modern infrastructure and a network of bilateral and multilateral agreements, including several Investment Promotion and Protection Agreements (IPAs) with African countries, which offer European companies concrete opportunities to diversify their presence on the continent.

We're here at London Tech Week! Together with the inMalta team, we're showcasing what Malta has to offer in tech, startups, and innovation. Excited to connect, share ideas, and show why Malta is the place to watch.

💰🌱 Can money protect the environment? Yes, if it's green. 💰🌿 Can money protect the planet? Yes — when it's green. #GreenFinance

📍 A look behind the scenes of the stock exchange — experience the Frankfurt Stock Exchange trading floor live.

A place where ARD, ZDF, n-tv & Co. report daily directly from the trading floor on current stock market events. It is the last active trading floor in Europe, where the traditional price board clacks every 10 seconds and the famous stock exchange bell is ceremoniously used on special occasions, such as IPOs or International Women's Day.

📈 In Deutsche Börse's Visitors Center, financial knowledge becomes tangible: interesting exhibitions, exciting lectures and real aha moments around stocks, cryptocurrencies and wealth creation.

💡 Admission is free of charge; an online reservation in advance is necessary.

19th Investment Funds Forum – Nałęczów, June 23–24, 2025

The digital transformation of the financial sector is accelerating. How can financial institutions effectively respond to new regulations such as the AI Act, #DORA, #MiCA, or #FiDA, while maintaining innovation and client trust?

These questions will be addressed on June 23 during the panel discussion "Financial institutions in the era of new solutions and digital regulations", moderated by Pawel Widawski, President of Future Finance Poland and Vice President of FinTech Poland.

Panelists: Krzysztof Korus (DLK Legal), Marcin Kosiński (PKO Finat Sp. z o.o.), Jakub Strysik (F-Trust iWealth), Marcin Zaniewicz (Asseco Poland).

📍 Venue: Hotel Arche Nałęczów

🌍 Uniting Financial Powerhouses: Hong Kong and the United Kingdom Deepen Strategic Ties

We are pleased to announce the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (#MoU) between the #FSDC and TheCityUK, marking a pivotal moment for collaboration between two of the world's leading international financial centers.

This partnership lays a foundation for deeper cooperation in key areas, including #TransitionFinance, #DigitalAssets, and #TalentDevelopment, reflecting a shared vision to foster #FinancialInnovation and seize opportunities.

The MoU was signed by Dr King Au, Executive Director of the FSDC, and Mr John Godfrey, Managing Director of Public Affairs, Policy and Research at TheCityUK, with the ceremony witnessed by Mr Christopher Hui, Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury Bureau (FSTB), HKSAR Government and Mr Bruce Carnegie-Brown, Chair of TheCityUK Leadership Council.

Together, we look forward to unlocking new opportunities, and shaping a future defined by resilience, sustainability, and global connectivity.

Türkiye's economy showed resilience during the global pandemic and is now positioned for steady growth through 2030.

Discover how Türkiye compares to emerging markets and what the International Monetary Fund projects for its economic path.

What are the five key trends shaping philanthropy among UHNWIs? From shifting ESG priorities to governance strategies, our latest report, produced in partnership with #WealthBriefing, offers valuable insights into the changing philanthropic landscape.

Last week, KIFC team, together with members of the Financial Sector Skills Council, conducted a benchmarking study tour in the UK. The visit aimed to strengthen the Council's capacity to support Rwanda's national goal of skilling, reskilling and upskilling its workforce for economic transformation.

During the visit, the delegation held bilateral meetings with: TheCityUK, The Chartered Institute for Securities & Investment (CISI), the Chartered Insurance Institute, ACCA, the Association of British Insurers, CIPFA, Skills England, and the Financial Services Skills Commission (FSSC).

The delegation also attended the Future Skills Conference 2025, organized by FSSC and TheCityUK, focused on addressing skills challenges and opportunities in financial and professional services.

During the European Central Bank's 2024 wholesale CBDC pilot, a key test case involved the issuance of a digital bond by the European Investment Bank (EIB) on Clearstream's D7 platform, with Luxembourg's Spuerkeess acting as a key investor.

The objective, as Christophe Medinger, Deputy Head of Digitalization at Spuerkeess, told us, "was particularly to guarantee that the security changes ownership at the same time as the cash changes hands on a blockchain. This allows automatic reconciliation and guarantees that no one runs any risk."

As we celebrate Eid Al-Adha, we extend our warmest wishes to you and your families. May this blessed occasion bring you happiness and harmony. 🕋 ✨

Finance Accelerator meets FRAMEWORX Startup Hub & Coworking Space 🤝

📍 Our Finance Accelerator offers coworking spaces for startups who are consulting with us directly at Feuersee in Stuttgart. Often, however, the start-ups grow so quickly that a larger space is needed.

🙌 Therefore, we are pleased to be able to offer our startups discounted prices for the first months of coworking at Frameworx as part of a new cooperation. Here you will find coworking spaces, team offices and office space — also for larger teams — with everything a founder's heart desires.

💪 Why the collaboration makes perfect sense for us: By joining forces, we can network our start-ups and the ecosystem even more closely — in all areas.

We are delighted to welcome Robert Hughes-Penney, Investment Director, Rathbones Group Plc, one of the UK's leading wealth and asset management firms, as the new Chair of TheCityUK's Business Council.

On his appointment, Robert commented, "I am very pleased to Chair the Business Council and further build on the strong momentum generated by my predecessor, Alasdair Haynes of Aquis Exchange, over the last four years since its inception. The Business Council has become known as a forum for high-quality discussion on important economic, regulatory and social topics, and I look forward to working with members as we continue to feed into the broad debate about how our industry can support the government's mission to drive economic growth."

TheCityUK's Business Council brings together senior leaders from innovative high-growth companies from across its membership with government, opposition MPs, policymakers, regulators and other key stakeholders to promote and champion the role of the financial and related professional services industry in driving UK economic growth.

A Toast to Partnerships: TRIFIC SEZ's Engaging Onboarding & Wine Tasting Event!

At Two Rivers International Finance & Innovation Centre SEZ, our vibrant partner ecosystem is a cornerstone of our go-to-market strategy.

On 30th May we had the distinct pleasure of hosting a unique wine tasting and dinner summit. The brilliant wine connoisseur and sommelier, Victoria Mulu-Munywoki from ETHNOVINO, guided us through the fascinating world of wines.

Our esteemed associates from media, real estate, tech, telco, and office leasing then engaged in a lively game of wits centered around TRIFIC SEZ, perfectly complementing the delicious full-course dinner.

We believe sales thrive on emotional connections, and the fantastic sign-ups that followed clearly show that TRIFIC made a meaningful connection with our customer acquisition ecosystem. We're not just offering a platform for our partners to diversify their revenue streams — we're also actively expanding our customs zone to create even more opportunities.