MFSA Notice – Bitcoin and Autotrader

The Malta Financial Services Authority has become aware of an entity by the name of Bitcoin & Autotrader, which has an internet presence at https://bitcoinautotrader.co/ and a physical address at 361 Triq l-Imdina, Ħal Qormi QRM 9012.

The website claims that the entity’s owner and CEO is Jomic Calleja going by the last name Grech.

The website claims to be a certified trading platform. The entity and individual are promoting the provision of the service of buying and selling of virtual financial assets through the above website and through social media. The provision of the services of buying and selling VFAs is an activity which requires a license under the Virtual Financial Assets Act (CAP 590 of the Laws of Malta) (the ‘Act’).

The Authority would like to inform the public that Bitcoin & Autotrader is NOT a Maltese registered company, additionally, Jomic Calleja and the entity are NEITHER operating under the transitory provision in terms of Article 62 of the Act NOR are authorised to provide any financial services in or from Malta.

The MFSA would like to remind consumers of financial services not to enter into any financial services transaction unless they have ascertained that the entity with whom the transaction is being made is authorised to provide such services by the MFSA or another reputable financial services regulator. Financial regulations oblige licenced businesses to comply with strict legal requirements in the interest of investors and the markets. The activities of unlicensed entities are unregulated making transactions with such entities risky for consumers.

A list of MFSA licensed entities is available and can be viewed on the official website of the MFSA at https://www.mfsa.mt/financial-services-register/.