Regulatory Approaches to Fintech and the Challenges of Fintech-Regulation on Example of Slovakia
FinTech Regulation, Slovakia, National Bank of Slovakia (NBS), Regulatory Sandbox, Markets in Crypto-assets Regulation (MiCAR)
The article summarizes existing regulatory approaches to FinTech-based financial innovation. In this context, it is important to point out that, in general, there is no legal regulation at the EU level that would impose on Member States which regulatory approach they should choose and apply in relation to FinTech. The choice of the appropriate regulatory approach is therefore left to the Member States. Against this background, the author identifies the regulatory approach to FinTech applied in the Slovak Republic, while the platforms for institutional dialogue between the national regulator (National Bank of Slovakia) and FinTech companies are analyzed separately. The article also illustrates the regulatory trend within the EU that may prove decisive for the field of FinTech by reference to a specific regulatory instrument (the EU Regulation on Markets in Crypto-assets – MiCAR).
ČUNDERLÍK, ĽUBOMÍR
The Presence of Nonverbal Communication in (Procedural) Law
Nonverbal communication, legal proceedings, witness credibility, mediation, judicial decision-making
This study examines the role of nonverbal communication in legal contexts, with particular attention to its significance in Hungarian law and international jurisprudence. It argues that gestures, facial expressions, posture, eye contact, and vocal cues can provide valuable insight into emotions, intentions, and credibility, even though they are not formally recognized as independent means of proof. The paper first outlines the theoretical relationship between communication and nonverbal communication, then explores the growing relevance of nonverbal signals in areas such as mediation, civil procedure, criminal procedure, labour law, and family law. It also reviews selected international cases in which nonverbal behaviour influenced investigations, public perception, or judicial evaluation. The study concludes that nonverbal communication can support legal decision-making, but its interpretation remains complex due to subjectivity, cultural variation, and the effects of digitalisation. Therefore, greater professional awareness and training are needed to ensure its careful and responsible use in the service of justice.
SZATMÁRI, NIKOLETT
Environmental Governance and Legal Integration in the European Union under Digital Transformation
EU environmental law, sustainable development, governance, legal harmonisation, digital transformation
This paper examines how the European Union’s environmental governance and legal harmonisation are being reshaped by digital transformation. Using legal analysis, it explores how core environmental principles – such as the precautionary principle, the polluter pays principle, and the integration principle – are being operationalised through data-driven regulation, real-time environmental monitoring and cross-border digital cooperation. It analyses how these digital mechanisms can make regulation more targeted and adaptive, enhance compliance and transparency, and require new legal instruments for cross-border coordination. The findings suggest that digital tools have the potential to strengthen both environmental protection and legal harmonisation, while also posing challenges of data standardisation, interoperability, and institutional capacity. The paper concludes that EU environmental law can remain effective only if its legal frameworks are adapted to integrate these emerging digital instruments in a coherent and principle-based manner.
HOTTÓ, ISTVÁN
Data Localization, International Law Perspective
Data protection, data localization, data flow, international trade law, trade barriers, WTO panels
Although the core principles of the General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS) can extend the agreement to the movement of data, thereby enhancing the effectiveness of GATS in the digital age, there is very little to prevent governments from implementing wide data localisation measures, as GATS provides broad exceptions that create leeway for circumventing these obligations. Additionally, the ambiguity surrounding internet technology has given governments more justification. After all, how could anyone challenge these policies when technology and intelligent services themselves were once incapable of detecting what Edward Snowden later exposed? In response to these uncertainties, and the existing security exceptions in GATS, countries continue to invent new data localisation measures through different approaches. China forbids data transfers by default, only allowing them as exceptions, and emphasises national security with ambiguous discretionary limits. The GDPR limits transfers from outside the EU in order to balance privacy and trade but provides exceptions. The USA, without a unified federal legislative framework, has focused localization on areas such as taxation and defence, motivated mostly by national security. Given these dynamics, and the sensitivity of national security, the author argues that greater emphasis should be placed on reactivating the role of WTO panels and, at the very least, establishing broad boundaries for what constitutes security, even if the concept itself is difficult to define precisely.
ALI, SHAREEF SANAR
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