Practical licensing explainers for founders comparing EMI, MSB, PI, VASP and gaming routes, with regulator expectations and filing sequence.
Practical licensing explainers for founders comparing EMI, MSB, PI, VASP and gaming routes, with regulator expectations and filing sequence.
Start with the regulated activity and customer flow, then compare capital, safeguarding, local substance, governance and banking dependencies. The founder's EMI guide explains how permissions map to an e-money product; the Canadian MSB comparison separates a fresh registration from an acquisition; and the change-of-control timeline maps regulator and completion sequencing for an authorised-entity acquisition. Use the archive to identify the questions a filing plan must answer before jurisdiction selection or document drafting.
Editorial archive
50 entries
A Swiss portfolio manager licence stays with the company when its shares change hands - but new owners of a qualified participation need prior FINMA approval, filed through the firm's supervisory organisation. The change-of-control playbook, with the official fees and transaction calendar.
Both centres use Category 3A for brokerage permissions, with different activity definitions: base capital is USD 500,000 in ADGM against USD 200,000 in the DIFC, the activity triggers differ, and the annual fee mechanics diverge after an identical USD 25,000 application fee. A rulebook-sourced comparison of capital, fees, people, stage gates and client fit - and the two ways SKY7 can get you there.
A share acquisition preserves the ADGM entity's Financial Services Permission while the FSRA assesses incoming controllers. Plan the GEN 8.8 thresholds, CIC disclosure list, officer transition and transaction timetable.
How a FINTRAC-registered Canadian MSB share acquisition coordinates ownership, registry updates, AML handover, banking and RPAA analysis.
A practical comparison of Canadian MSB and Foreign MSB routes for non-resident founders planning Canadian or cross-border payment, FX, remittance or virtual-currency activity.
Verify the FINTRAC entry, corporate authority, AML programme, activity fit, ownership, RPAA position, banking and transition plan before completion.
A practical banking-readiness plan for Canadian MSB buyers: provider continuity, ownership re-underwriting, AML controls, funds flows and the onboarding file.
FINTRAC MSB registration covers the AML framework for money services, while Bank of Canada PSP registration addresses operational payment functions under the RPAA. Map both workstreams to the product and funds flow before launch or acquisition.
Compare a Canadian MSB acquisition with a fresh FINTRAC registration by launch readiness, operating fit, AML implementation, ownership, banking and RPAA work.
Canada's Money Services Business registration is a practical route for regulated fintech operations in North America. Plan the service scope, compliance programme, banking workstream and ongoing reporting from one operating model.
Electronic Money Institution licences are the most common path for fintechs handling client funds across the EEA. This guide covers what an EMI licence enables, where it's typically filed, capital thresholds, and the operating shape post-authorisation.
Three Emirati regimes, three different theories of supervision. We unpack how the regulators differ on safekeeping rules, client asset segregation and capital - and where each makes sense depending on your operating model.
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