Choosing where to license your brokerage
Jurisdiction choice affects cost, timeline, market access and the regulatory obligations you'll operate under. We help you weigh the trade-offs and coordinate with independent licensed legal and compliance advisers who handle the formal application.
St. Vincent & the Grenadines
SVGCaribbean
A lean international business company structure often used as an accessible entry point for new brokerages.
British Virgin Islands
BVI FSCCaribbean
A well-established offshore licensing route recognized widely across the trading industry.
Cayman Islands
CIMACaribbean
Securities investment business licensing within a mature, internationally recognized offshore framework.
Seychelles
FSA SeychellesAfrica
A widely used jurisdiction for securities dealer licensing with a comparatively efficient setup process.
Labuan
Labuan FSAAsia-Pacific
Money-broking and investment dealer licences positioned within the Asia-Pacific financial hub.
Hong Kong
SFCAsia-Pacific
A regulated pathway for firms targeting institutional and retail markets across Asia.
Vanuatu
VFSCAsia-Pacific
A cost-conscious offshore dealer licence commonly chosen by market entrants.
Cyprus
CySECEurope
EU MiFID-aligned licensing that enables passporting across the European Economic Area.
Dubai (Onshore)
SCAMiddle East
Licensing through the UAE Securities & Commodities Authority for firms operating within mainland UAE.
Abu Dhabi Global Market
ADGM FSRAMiddle East
Regulated licensing within Abu Dhabi's international financial free zone.
Dubai Virtual Assets
VARAMiddle East
Licensing for virtual asset service providers operating within Dubai.
Australia
ASIC AFSLOceania
An Australian Financial Services Licence pathway for firms serving Australian and international clients.
South Africa
FSCAAfrica
Over-the-counter derivatives provider licensing under South Africa's conduct authority.
Canada
FINTRACNorth America
Money services business registration for firms operating payment and trading-adjacent services.
Mauritius
FSC MauritiusAfrica
An established jurisdiction serving African and Indian Ocean market access.
How we approach jurisdiction selection
We look at the regulatory scope you'll need, substance and staffing requirements, tax treatment, banking accessibility, and how each jurisdiction is perceived by the markets you intend to serve. From there, we help you shortlist realistic options and connect with independent licensed legal and compliance advisers who manage the formal application on your behalf.