Licence Types
Forex Broker Licence
UK forex trading licences fall into three main categories:
- Dealing on Own Account (MM) — market maker providing an independent trading platform; can hold client funds and trade own account. Minimum capital: €730,000.
- Matched Principal / STP — intermediary arranging matched trades; can hold client funds but cannot trade own account. Minimum capital: €125,000.
- Introducing Broker — promotes regulated firms; cannot hold client funds. Minimum capital: €50,000.
E-Money Licence (EMI)
An EMI can provide all payment services plus additional banking-like functions: payment accounts, card issuance, consumer lending, blockchain-based stablecoin issuance, and P2P lending (via additional authorisation). Minimum initial capital: €350,000. Typical approval timeline: 4–5 months.
Payment Institution Licence
Covers international payment and transfer services: payment accounts, third-party transfers, card/e-wallet issuance and money remittance. Minimum capital from €20,000 (remittance) to €125,000 (payment accounts). Approval: 6–12 months.
Trust Company Licence (Jersey)
Two main options: Managed Trust Company (operated under an existing licensed firm, lower approval threshold) or Full Trust Company Business Licence (manage trusts globally; more complex, longer process). Approval: 6–8 months. Requires local office, minimum 5 directors (majority Jersey residents), separate compliance officer and AML officer.
Virtual Asset / Crypto Licence
We assist with crypto and blockchain licences across multiple jurisdictions including Poland, BVI, Cayman Islands and Malta. We also support MiCAR CASP applications in the EU.
Consumer Credit Licence (UK)
Available as a Limited Licence (consumer leasing, ancillary credit brokering) or Full Licence (all credit types, debt management, P2P lending platforms). No minimum capital requirement except for debt management. Applied via the FCA Connect portal.
Consumer Credit Licence (Lithuania & Estonia)
Lithuania: fast approval 2–3 months after full submission; can be combined with EMI/PI licence for EU passport coverage. Estonia (Finantsinspektsioon): no expiry date, covers creditor and mortgage creditor roles; approval 6–8 months.
Our Services
- Advise on the most suitable licence type for your business model
- Local company incorporation
- Prepare pre-application materials and questionnaires; accompany or represent clients at pre-application meetings with regulators
- Draft application forms, business plans, operating programmes and financial projections
- Build management team: licensed persons, compliance officers and directors
- Assist with IT system development
- Respond to regulator queries post-submission and provide additional information as required
Regulators We Work With
- UK FCA
- Central Bank of Ireland
- Bank of Lithuania
- Banco de Portugal
- FINMA / Swiss SRO
- Jersey Financial Services Commission (JFSC)
- Various EU and offshore regulators