Finance & Equity

Many people dream of financial freedom, but the path to achieving it is often misunderstood. It’s not a destination you can reach overnight but rather a carefully navigated journey. To succeed, you must focus on the long term, make smart adjustments and understand the importance of managing risks and diversification.

As of June 2024, the Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA) has issued 138 crypto asset service provider (CASP) licences. With the rolling out of licences, the discussion around the crypto industry shifts. It now moves from whether crypto assets should be regulated, to more detailed topics around "what should be regulated?" and "how should it be regulated?"

The significance of having a robust Risk Management and Compliance Programme (RMCP) for combating Money Laundering (ML), Terrorist Financing (TF) and Proliferation Financing (PF), cannot be taken lightly.

In an era where the intersection of finance and sustainability is becoming increasingly critical, blended finance stands out as an innovative tool driving economic and environmental objectives. Here is why these financial strategies are gaining traction, particularly in South Africa, and how they're shaping the landscape for investors, governments and society at large.

Designated Non-Financial Businesses and Professions (DNFBPs) registered with the Financial Intelligence Centre (FIC) have shown positive efforts. Importantly, their commitment has significantly contributed to progress. And as a result, South Africa is now closer to exiting the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) grey list.

The repo rate, inflation and the Reserve Bank’s decisions all play a role in shaping our finances, from savings and loans to monthly payments. Understanding how these factors influence our financial well-being can help us make informed decisions and prepare for economic changes.

With South Africa tightening its grip on crypto regulations, Crypto Asset Service Providers (CASPs) must act now to avoid compliance failures. As of April 30, 2025, new crypto compliance rules in form of Directive 9 will introduce stricter requirements for tracking and reporting crypto asset transactions.

Earned wage access (EWA) trends signal explosive industry growth, with EWA projected to reach a $24 billion market value globally by 2025. As the industry matures, we are leading the transformation, developing earned wage access platforms into comprehensive financial wellness solutions. We are also leveraging financial technology and personalisation to meet the needs of an increasingly digital workforce.

As South Africans braced for a heavier tax burden, the 2025 Budget Speech delivered a mix of relief and reality. While tax increases were lower than feared, financial advisers will soon need to navigate a complex landscape of regulatory reforms.

We have released its 2024 Public Inspections Report, highlighting important strides in audit quality across South African audit firms inspected. The report also presents the key deficiencies, themes and trends observed during the year’s inspections cycle.