Mariela
Petsova

Mariela Petsova is a Financial Services Regulatory Associate based in the Middle East. She specialises in advising a diverse range of financial institutions on complex regulatory matters, including banking, market infrastructure, and the rapidly evolving fields of crypto and payments across the region.

Mariela has extensive experience in guiding both crypto and payments firms, as well as international asset management firms, through their regulatory setup and establishment within the GCC. Her support extends beyond the initial setup phase, assisting clients in navigating ongoing regulatory requirements post-establishment.

She also advises on the regulatory implications of market entry and cross-border service strategies within the GCC, ensuring that clients’ proposed activities are strategically aligned with local regulatory frameworks from the outset.

With 7 years of direct industry experience at a leading CFD/retail FX brokerage and a major crypto firm, Mariela provides clients with insightful and commercially pragmatic guidance on regulatory compliance and risk management strategies.

Her UK regulatory expertise, gained during her time at Simmons & Simmons' London office, adds a valuable global perspective. This enables her to offer comparative insights between international and Middle Eastern regulatory practices, ensuring her clients benefit from a well-rounded and informed approach.