Malta has made a remarkable jump in the 2025 Greenfield FDI Performance Index, climbing 50 places to 33rd globally, the largest leap of any country this year. This surge signals the effectiveness of Malta's focused strategy on fintech regulation, workforce development, and ESG integration.
Malta's early move to regulate digital assets via the Virtual Financial Assets (VFA) Act in 2018 positioned it well ahead of the EU-wide MiCA regulation introduced in 2025. Today, Malta offers regulatory clarity and a sandbox environment for FinTechs, EMIs, and PSPs looking for EU market access with built-in compliance.
Malta is working hard to build its international reputation by participating in EU initiatives, alongside a national focus on sustainability, which is helping to reshape Malta as an ESG-conscious jurisdiction.
Why Business Leaders Should Take Note of Malta
- EU market access with regulatory clarity
- Supportive sandbox environment for fintech testing
- Government-backed skills pipeline initiatives
- Strong ESG and governance trajectory
Bottom Line
Malta is emerging as a boutique hub for regulated, innovation-driven investment in the EU. For investors and fintech firms looking for a stable, agile, and reputation-conscious jurisdiction, Malta is worth a closer look.
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