Dr Thaer Sabri

Thaer is an expert on the legal and regulatory issues arising from financial technologies, including electronic money, payment services, cryptoassets, open banking and the regulatory treatment of emerging digital finance models. He has played a central role in the development of the modern payments regulatory framework, advising industry participants, regulators and policymakers on some of the most significant reforms in the sector.

Thaer is also highly experienced in financial crime regulation and has drafted industry AML and CTF guidance for the payments and e-money sectors. His work spans regulatory compliance, prudential and conduct requirements, and the evolving intersection between payments regulation and cryptoasset services, including MiCA and related EU frameworks.

He advised on the first successful UK e-money issuer licence in 2002 and the first Payment Institution authorisation in 2009, and has since supported many of the leading firms operating in the UK and European payments markets.

Thaer is actively involved in industry and regulatory engagement. He sits on the Banking Stakeholder Group of the European Banking Authority and has participated in a wide range of European and international bodies, including the Board of the European Payments Council, open banking forums, and European Central Bank working groups on the Digital Euro. He has been a member of the European Commission’s Payment Services Market Expert Group since its formation and has also served as a member of the UK Task Force on Payments.

He is the Chief Executive Officer of the Electronic Money Association and regularly represents the interests of the e-money, payments and cryptoasset sectors in discussions with EU and global regulators.

Thaer is a frequent speaker at international conferences and has published extensively on payments law, cryptoasset regulation and anti-money laundering matters. He continues to play a key role in shaping regulatory regimes affecting the future of digital finance.