ATHENS, 26 OCTOBER 2026
Wealthyhood, the European wealth-building app operating in Cyprus as Wealthyhood x BoC in partnership with Bank of Cyprus, is launching an initiative to help Cypriot investors regain access to shares held in the Special Account (Ειδικός Λογαριασμός) of the Cyprus Stock Exchange’s Central Depository and Registry. Investors whose shares sit in the Special Account can now transfer them to Wealthyhood x BoC, where they can view, sell or trade them directly from their phone.
Wealthyhood has already completed Special Account transfers for Cypriot investors and is now opening the process to every investor affected. We have also contacted companies listed on the Cyprus Stock Exchange to propose information campaigns for their shareholders. Bringing these dormant holdings back into circulation benefits investors, listed companies and the liquidity of the Cyprus Stock Exchange as a whole.
Shares that belong to investors, but can’t be used
Every investor on the Cyprus Stock Exchange has an investor account (Μερίδα) at the CSE’s Central Depository and Registry. Shares in that account are held either through a Participant, such as a broker, bank or custodian, or, where no Participant has been appointed, in the Special Account.
Shares in the Special Account still belong to their owners, but they cannot be bought or sold on the market. To trade them, the holder must first transfer them to a Participant. Many holders never have: their shares were bought years ago, addresses have changed, and in many cases the shares have passed to heirs.
The scale of the issue became visible this autumn. When Demetra Holdings paid its latest dividend to almost 140,000 shareholders, only about 4,000 received it through a brokerage firm, according to the CSE’s Central Depository and Registry. The rest were sent cheques by post. The payment brought more people to the Cyprus Stock Exchange’s offices, checking whether they still own shares bought years ago.
For investors and the market, the result is:
- No trading: Shares cannot be sold or bought until they are moved to a Participant.
- Dividends by post: Dividends arrive as cheques sent to the address on the register, so holders who have moved risk missing them.
- Harder to pass on: When a holder passes, the shares stay in their name until the heirs complete a separate transfer process.
- Lost liquidity: Part of listed companies’ share capital sits outside trading, limiting the real liquidity of their shares.
Alexandros Christodoulakis, Co-Founder & CEO of Wealthyhood, emphasises:
“Tens of thousands of Cypriots own shares in companies they know well, and they can’t do anything with them. They can’t sell, they can’t trade, and many don’t even know the shares are still there. That isn’t the investors’ fault. It’s a system that never gave them a simple way in.
When almost 140,000 people receive a dividend and only around 4,000 of them get it through a broker, you can see how much of the Cypriot market is sitting idle. With Wealthyhood x BoC, putting those shares back to work takes a three-minute account opening and an email to our team. Every share in Cyprus should be in the hands of an investor who can actually use it.”
How Wealthyhood x BoC unlocks Special Account shares
- 100% digital account in about 3 minutes: Investors open a Wealthyhood x BoC account from their phone with a single document. The app is open to all Cypriot residents, whether or not they bank with Bank of Cyprus, and Bank of Cyprus customers can link their bank account instantly.
- Direct transfer, guided by our team: Shares move from the Special Account directly to the investor’s Wealthyhood x BoC account, saving time and cost. Wealthyhood’s team guides investors through each step of the process and any paperwork needed.
- Full control from the app: Once transferred, investors can see their holdings in the app and choose to sell or keep them, with the most competitive fees in the market.
- A complete investing app: Alongside their Cypriot shares, users can invest in Greek and international stocks and ETFs from €1, automate recurring investing with Autopilot, and learn through the app’s financial education hub.
How to get started
Investors who hold shares in the Special Account, or think they might, can email hello@wealthyhood.com. Wealthyhood’s team will explain the process and help them open a Wealthyhood x BoC account and transfer their shares.
Investors unsure whether they still own shares can request a statement of their holdings from the Cyprus Stock Exchange’s Central Depository and Registry.
Disclaimer
When investing, your capital is at risk. The value of your investments may go up as well as down. Wealthyhood does not render investment, financial, legal, tax, or accounting advice. Please read our Terms & Conditions before opening your Wealthyhood account. Wealthyhood Europe AEPEY is authorised and regulated to operate as an investment firm by the Hellenic Capital Markets Commission (HCMC) under activity licence number 3/1014. Investment services are provided exclusively by Wealthyhood Europe AEPEY. Bank of Cyprus does not provide investment services or investment advice and is not responsible for the services offered by Wealthyhood.
For more information:
Email: hello@wealthyhood.com
Website: wealthyhood.com
