Key fintech policy developments to watch in 2026
Regulatory initiatives across payments, digital assets, open finance and embedded finance are expected to progress this year.
#FinancialSectorConductAuthority
FSCA clears crowd-farming platform of unauthorised financial services
But the Authority fines Livestock Wealth and its CEO for displaying a partner FSP licence in a ‘misleading’ way.
FSCA issues multiple public warnings about unauthorised operators
South Africans should verify anyone offering financial services or investment opportunities.
FSCA licenses most crypto provider applicants – as enforcement tightens
The rising number of investigations and inspections underline a shift from registration to active supervision.
Exemption opens Lloyd’s specialist insurance to SA market
It is now easier for brokers and policyholders to place business with Lloyd’s, particularly for personal indemnity, cyber, marine trade, and mining exposures.
FSCA slaps Banxso and directors with record R2bn fine
The Authority says the penalties reflect the financial benefit gained from unlawful conduct and the harm to clients – handing 30-year debarments to several Banxso executives.
Multimillion-rand penalties levied across Medbond Group
The FSCA imposes a R197m fine on Medbond Insurance Brokers and its principal, whom it debarred for 30 years.
R12.6m fine, 15-year ban send strong warning on unauthorised insurance
The FSCA’s investigation concluded that South African Relocations and The Relocations Group offered marine insurance without registration.
Twenty-year debarment and R9m fine for unauthorised ‘forex trading’
The Authority found that most investor funds were used to pay ‘returns’ to other investors and cover personal expenses.
Transitional delegations under the FSRA pushed to 2028/29
New end-dates extend the temporary allocation of certain supervisory duties to the FSCA and PA while regulatory frameworks are finalised.
Alternative stock exchange resolves ‘opt out’ listings dispute with FSCA
A2X says it will pay the fine, adding the vast majority of the affected companies have elected to retain their secondary listings.
FICA compliance webinars for crypto firms
The FSCA has uploaded recordings of its five-part webinar series aimed at helping CASPs meet their FICA obligations.
FSCA and PA publish comprehensive study into AI use in financial sector
The regulators will issue a discussion paper to clarify governance, disclosure, and consumer-protection expectations.
R2.1m in penalties: FSCA shuts down unauthorised forex scheme
The FSCA has fined two individuals R2.1 million and debarred them for 20 years after uncovering an unauthorised forex-trading scheme that drew in hundreds of investors.
Ii-FSPs ezigwetyelwe ukusilela kwe-FICA – zohlwaywe zonke imali engange-R700 000
I-FSCA ifumanise ukuba zombini iifemu azinabuchule bokulawula umngcipheko, kubandakanywa ii-RMCPs ezinqongopheleyo, inkuthalo ephantsi yabathengi, kunye nokusilela ukuhlola ngokuchasene noluhlu lwezohlwayo.
New era for fund administration: unpacking Conduct Standard 2
Trustees and administrators face a modernised regulatory framework designed to raise standards, strengthen accountability, and ensure fair outcomes for members.
FSCA is aligning its work with COFI before the Bill becomes law
The new Integrated Regulatory System will deliver a single, unified view of entities and support an activity-based supervisory model aligned to COFI’s principles.
