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Financial Services Entities

Licensing, Advisory & Banking Support for Virtual Asset Businesses

We advise on licence structuring, manage the FSC licensing application for virtual asset businesses, and support the banking relationships they need to operate.

Overview

Overview

Fintech Advisory & Solutions covers the regulatory advisory and FSC licensing of virtual asset businesses, wallet providers, brokers, marketplaces, custodians, and advisers, and the banking support that follows once a business is licensed.

We advise on which licence class fits the intended business model, manage the licence application itself from business plan through to FSC approval, and support clients through the banking process, working with the limited set of banks currently willing to open accounts for licensed virtual asset businesses. This is regulatory and structuring advisory, we don't provide blockchain development or other technology infrastructure services.

5
Virtual Asset Licence Classes
Wallet Services, Broker-Dealer, Marketplace, Custodian, and Advisory.
5–9 Months
Typical Licensing Timeline
From incorporation and application submission through to FSC licence grant.
2 Resident Directors
Governance Requirement
Required for FSC-approved governance of a licensed virtual asset business.

What We Provide

Key Features

Licence Pathway Advisory
Advising on which Virtual Asset licence class fits the intended business model, and how it should be structured to meet FSC expectations.
FSC Licence Application
Preparing and submitting the licence application, including business plan, governance framework, and AML/CFT programme.
ITO Registration
Managing registration for businesses looking to conduct an Initial Token Offering.
Governance & Compliance Set-Up
Structuring the board, compliance function, and AML/CFT programme the licence requires.
Banking Introductions
Supporting the account-opening process with banks currently willing to work with licensed virtual asset businesses.
Ongoing Compliance & Advisory Support
Advising on regulatory developments and supporting ongoing FSC reporting once licensed.

Licence Classes

Virtual Asset Licences We Secure

Class O — Virtual Asset Wallet Services
Licensing to provide digital asset wallet services, including private key management.
Learn More about Class O — Virtual Asset Wallet Services →
Class M — Virtual Asset Broker-Dealer
Licensing to mediate virtual asset transactions between buyers and sellers.
Learn More about Class M — Virtual Asset Broker-Dealer →
Class S — Virtual Asset Marketplace
Licensing to operate a centralised or decentralised virtual asset exchange.
Learn More about Class S — Virtual Asset Marketplace →
Class R — Virtual Asset Custodian
Licensing to safeguard virtual assets on behalf of clients.
Learn More about Class R — Virtual Asset Custodian →
Class I — Virtual Asset Advisory
Licensing to provide advisory services on the issuance, offer, and sale of virtual assets.
Learn More about Class I — Virtual Asset Advisory →
Initial Token Offerings (ITO)
Registration for businesses conducting a token offering.
Learn More about Initial Token Offerings (ITO) →

Process

How It Works

01
Activity & Licence Assessment
Understanding the business model to advise on the right Virtual Asset licence class.
02
Structuring Proposal
Confirming the entity structure and governance framework the licence requires.
03
Documentation Preparation
Preparing the business plan, AML/CFT programme, and supporting application documents.
04
FSC Licence Application
Submitting the application and managing FSC queries through to approval.
05
Banking Introductions
Supporting the account-opening process with banks open to virtual asset business relationships.
06
Licensing & Ongoing Support
Finalising the licence and transitioning into ongoing compliance and advisory support.

Requirements

Requirements & Eligibility

When This Service Applies

  • A business wants to operate a wallet, brokerage, marketplace, custody, or advisory virtual asset business
  • A business wants to conduct an Initial Token Offering
  • A licensed virtual asset business needs support opening a bank account, or advice on its regulatory obligations

Licensing Considerations

  • Minimum capital requirements vary by licence class, and should be scoped against the specific business model early
  • At least two resident directors and FSC-approved senior executives are required for the licensed entity
  • Banking remains selective, we work with the banks currently open to virtual asset business relationships, but can't guarantee account approval

Common Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

That depends on the activity, wallet providers typically need Class O, brokers Class M, exchanges Class S, custodians Class R, and advisers Class I. We assess the business model against each class during the activity assessment stage.
These vary by licence class. We confirm the applicable minimum capital requirement once the right licence class is identified for the business.
Typically 5–9 months from incorporation and application submission through to FSC licence grant, depending on the licence class and how complete the application is at submission.
No, our service is regulatory advisory and licensing, not blockchain development or other technology infrastructure. We advise on licence structuring and manage the application; the underlying platform or technology is the client's own.
We support the account-opening process and work with the banks currently willing to open accounts for licensed virtual asset businesses. This remains a selective market, and we can't guarantee approval, but we manage introductions and the application itself.
Yes, we manage the ITO registration process for businesses looking to conduct a token offering, alongside any Virtual Asset licence the business also needs.

Continue Exploring

Related Services

Payment Solutions
Related licensing for payment businesses, both cross-border and domestic.
Learn More about Payment Solutions →
Ongoing Regulatory Compliance & Governance
AML, monitoring, and governance support across all licensed activities.
Learn More about Ongoing Regulatory Compliance & Governance →
Corporate Finance Advisory
Related advisory support for capital raising and transaction structuring.
Learn More about Corporate Finance Advisory →

Licensing a Virtual Asset Business?

Speak with our team about licence structuring, FSC application, and banking support for your virtual asset business.

Request a Consultation