Our country has always chosen to be at the forefront of exploring and building a regulatory framework that attracts innovative and emerging industries – Prime Minister Robert Abela.
Prime Minister Robert Abela, together with the Minister for the Economy, Enterprise and Strategic Projects Silvio Schembri, inaugurated the offices of Blockchain.com – a company with a global clientele and platform for digital assets. During the inauguration, Prime Minister Robert Abela stressed that our country has always chosen to be at the forefront of exploring and building a regulatory framework that attracts innovative and emerging industries.
“We have seen this in different sectors, from financial services to remote gaming, from fintech to digital assets. Malta has consistently positioned itself as a jurisdiction that is ready to understand new models and regulate them with clarity. That approach has shaped the type of economy we are building,” stressed Dr Abela. He added that as a country we have always sought to attract companies that create added value and require expertise, and that contribute to a stronger and more resilient economic structure. The Prime Minister said that over the years, our country has moved from an economy where opportunities were limited, to one where new and quality career paths have been created.
He reiterated that this transformation is not accidental, but the result of deliberate choices, an effort of the capacity to adapt, where necessary, and to invest in sectors that broaden the range of opportunities for Maltese and Gozitans.
“Ultimately, this ties into a simple but important ambition, that of Malta becoming a place where our children can realistically aspire to build the careers they dream of, without feeling like they have to leave our country to do so,” noted Prime Minister Abela. This while stressing that the Government will remain committed to ensuring that our country’s economic environment keeps pace with those aspirations.
Dr Abela referred to our country’s long-term vision – the Malta Vision 2050, which is centred on sustaining a knowledge-driven economy, specialisation and better alignment with the industries of the future. As well as on strengthening the link between education, regulation and economic development. The Malta Vision 2050 is ensuring economic growth that translates into real opportunities for all, longer years of healthy life, better income and a more vibrant quality of life.
In this context, the Prime Minister reiterated, the continued development of sectors such as digital finance plays an important role. Not as an isolated pillar, but as part of a wider ecosystem that supports innovation while maintaining trust and accountability. “The flexibility, the ability to adapt, the sustained commitment and the stability that our country offers, allow companies to continue to operate in our country with confidence. It is precisely what allows an economy like ours to remain relevant in an ever-changing landscape,” concluded the Prime Minister.
Minister Silvio Schembri noted that with around 30 companies and over 400 people now working in the blockchain and crypto industry, we are seeing the vision set out in 2018 for the digital economy come to life in a decisive way. “Built on strong investor protection and regulatory clarity, this ecosystem continues to attract high-quality operators while placing Malta at the forefront of emerging innovation. As we look ahead, we are actively exploring new frontiers such as prediction markets, an area of growing global momentum that ensures innovation is accompanied by a clear, responsible and forward-looking legislative framework,” said Minister Schembri.
Founded in 2011 in the United Kingdom, Blockchain.com began as one of the first platforms to allow customers to use Bitcoin transactions. Over time, the company has grown into a global digital asset platform, with various services, to today serve approximately 90 million customers worldwide. In Malta, Blockchain.com has established a strategic presence, focused on governance, compliance and regulatory control. This company is licensed by the MFSA and is looking to further expand its operations in the European market.
Photos: DOI/OPM
