The Guernsey Financial Services Commission (GFSC) has collaborated with 11 other financial regulators and related organisations around the world to establish the Global Financial Innovation Network (GFIN).

The creation of GFIN builds on a building on a proposal to create a 'global sandbox'. Recognising the global nature of today's financial services the network will seek to provide a more efficient way for innovative firms to interact with regulators worldwide, helping them navigate between countries as they look to scale new ideas and technologies.

It will also create a new framework for co-operation between financial services regulators on innovation related topics, sharing different experiences and approaches. Guernsey's participation in this network builds on the GFSC's existing Innovation Soundbox initiative, allowing global innovative firms to be welcomed in the Bailiwick.

Other regulators involved include the UK's Financial Conduct Authority and the Hong Kong Monetary Authority.

The outcomes this enterprise is looking to achieve include: bringing about improvements to the broader financial services market that benefit consumers and other market participants; ensuring regulatory authorities understand the latest market and technological developments; working with innovate firms to help them understand what regulatory requirements they need to meet; and reducing the time it takes to bring ideas to international markets.

GFIN contributes to Guernsey's jurisdictional strategy for financial services, which includes technology - the aim of which is to create an environment in Guernsey conducive to the widespread adoption and application of technology in financial services.

Guernsey Finance Chief Executive Dominic Wheatley said: "Innovation in financial services is one of the island's key strengths as a global finance centre, and the GFSC's involvement in GFIN is further proof of Guernsey's ambition to be leaders in fintech.

"Seeing co-operation between so many different regulatory bodies around the world also demonstrates an encouraging mandate of innovation for the benefit for the finance sector globally."

For more information about Guernsey's finance industry please visit www.weareguernsey.com.

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