MFSA launches groundbreaking international academic journal

The Malta Financial Services Authority (MFSA) has achieved a significant milestone in positioning Malta as a global thought leader in financial regulation with the launch of the Journal of Financial Supervisors Academy (JFSA), an international academic journal focusing on innovation in financial supervision.

The journal's launch comes at a crucial time for Malta's financial services industry, which continues to expand its international footprint and attract foreign investment across digital finance, capital markets and fintech sectors.

In a ceremony at San Anton Palace, Attard, Maltese president Myriam Spiteri Debono received the first volume from the MFSA editorial team.

“It is a pleasure and an honour to be a patron of the Journal of the Financial Supervisors Academy,” Spiteri Debono said. “At its core, financial supervision supports the growth of the financial system while protecting its integrity and the interest of citizens. In today’s world, supervision cannot be static. It must evolve, adapt and anticipate threats – whether they arise from technological disruptions, cybercrime or misconduct.”

The first volume features contributions from leading international academics, economists, legal scholars and supervisory professionals, covering areas including digital finance and fintech regulation, capital markets supervision, regulatory independence frameworks, and cross-border collaboration between national authorities and academic institutions.

MFSA CEO Kenneth Farrugia emphasised the strategic importance of the launch, describing it as “demonstrating our commitment to shaping regulatory thought leadership and strengthening the intellectual foundations of financial supervision."

According to Professor Christopher P. Buttigieg, Chief Officer Supervision and Editor-in-Chief, "The Journal of the Financial Supervisors Academy was established to bridge the gap between academic research and practical supervision.” He outlined future developments, including the upcoming Volume II which will “delve deeper into the evolving nature and art of financial supervision”.

Published by the MFSA's Financial Supervisors Academy in open-access format, the journal ensures global accessibility to Malta's regulatory insights and innovations. It is available at https://www.mfsa.mt/fsa/jfsa/.