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CySEC launched online platform “CyTBOR”

16/05/2022 09:10

The Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC) announced the launch of the online platform for the Cyprus Beneficial Ownership Register of Express Trusts and Similar Legal Arrangements (CyTBOR), noting that it will be accessible to trustees as of 17/05/2022 and all involved parties as of 17/06/2022.

According to CySEC, the necessity for the creation of the platform derives from the Prevention and Suppression of Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing Law of 2007, in full accordance with the 4th and 5th European Directives on the Prevention and Suppression of Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing.

CySEC added that "CyTBOR" facilitates easy and immediate searches for up-to-date information and data about the bebenfical owners of Express Trusts and Similar Legal Arrangements.

For this reason, it is now possible to directly search and identify the settlors, trustees, protectors (if any), beneficiaries, and any other natural person exercising final control over the trust through direct or indirect ownership, or by other means, CySEC said.

As highlighted by the Chairman of CySEC, George Theocharides, "this is a very important project both for the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission and our country, helping to provide full transparency and compliance for all supervised entities, ensuring the credibility of the market.”

According to Theocharides, in addition to CySEC, all supervisory authorities, such as the Customs Department, the Taxation Department, MOKAS and the Police, will have unhindered access to the Register within the framework of their responsibilities.

Furthermore, according to CySEC's announcement, it is possible to provide timely information on the beneficial owners of express trusts and similar legal arrangements to the respective competent authorities of the other Member States of the European Union, while all liable entities will also have access to the Register, as part of due diligence and identification measures of their clients.

For further information regarding the legal framework and the operation of CyTBOR, you may refer to section 61C of the Prevention and Suppression of Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing Law of 2007, as amended and the Directive on the Register of Beneficial Owners of Express Trusts and Similar Legal Arrangements (the “Directive”), as well as to the User Manuals and the Q&A’s developed by CySEC, the announcement concludes.