Nicosia, Cyprus. Retail proprietary trading is no longer among the European Securities and Markets Authority’s immediate regulatory priorities, according to Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission chairman George Theocharides. In Cyprus, AUB Mediterraneo and Cyta signed a memorandum of understanding, while Bank of Cyprus announced two honours at the EMEA Finance Achievement Awards 2025.
ESMA deprioritises retail prop trading
Speaking to Finance Magnates, Theocharides, who also chairs ESMA’s risk standing committee, said there are currently no substantial discussions underway on regulating the retail prop trading industry.
“To the best of my knowledge, ESMA is not currently engaged in any substantive discussions regarding retail prop trading,” Theocharides said.
His comments mark a shift from the regulatory stance seen over the past two years, when the sector had attracted growing attention in Paris amid suggestions that retail prop trading could eventually fall within the scope of MiFID II, particularly under provisions governing proprietary trading.
Just a year ago, Theocharides had described retail prop trading as being “on the radar”, but he indicated that the issue has since moved down the list of priorities.
AUB Mediterraneo and Cyta sign partnership
The American University of Beirut – Mediterraneo (AUB Mediterraneo) and Cyta signed a memorandum of understanding aimed at bringing academia and industry closer together, with a focus on innovation, research and hands-on learning in Cyprus.
The agreement sets the framework for a strategic partnership between the Paphos-based university and the telecommunications organisation, at a time when Cyprus is seeking to strengthen its digital skills base and support closer links between education, technology and business.
According to AUB Mediterraneo, the partnership reflects a shared commitment to preparing the next generation of professionals in areas such as technology, engineering, business and digital transformation.
Under the agreement, the two sides will work together on a series of initiatives, including student internship programmes, lectures by industry executives, workshops, research activities and social projects.
Bank of Cyprus receives finance awards
The Bank of Cyprus on Thursday announced that it received two major honours at the EMEA Finance Achievement Awards 2025 for its €300 million Tier 2 bond issuance.
The announcement follows the successful transaction completed in September 2025 and further strengthens the bank’s standing in international capital markets.
