🇪🇺 European Union
MiCA / CASP (Crypto)
Indicative timeframe3–6 months
EU-wide passporting, custody, trading, token issuance
Discuss this route ↗Crypto & fintech licensing
A clearer route to
your financial licence.
We help fintech and crypto companies obtain the right licenses to operate in regulated markets — across Europe (EU/EEA), the UK, Canada, Australia, Hong Kong, and beyond.
MiCA / CASP license in EUEMI license in Lithuania, UK, and EUMSB license in CanadaCrypto license in Hong Kong and UKAFSL for operations in Australia
Compare your options
Licensing by jurisdiction.
Typical timelines and scope signals. Final requirements depend on your product and regulator/bank decisions.
Timeframes are indicative estimates, not guaranteed approval dates. Discuss your business model and intended services with our team before choosing a route.
🇱🇹 Lithuania
EMI (Fintech)
Indicative timeframe4–6 months
Issue e-money, SEPA access, broad fintech permissions
Discuss this route ↗🇬🇧 United Kingdom
EMI (Fintech)
Indicative timeframe6–9 months
UK-specific EMI license with FCA regulation
Discuss this route ↗🇨🇦 Canada
MSB (Crypto/Fintech)
Indicative timeframe2–4 weeks
Covers crypto exchange, transfer, FX, KYC/AML via FINTRAC
Discuss this route ↗🇺🇸 USA
MSB (Crypto/Fintech)
Indicative timeframeVaries by state
State-by-state money transmission licenses (MTR) + FinCEN registration
Discuss this route ↗🇭🇰 Hong Kong
MSO / TCSP (Crypto)
Indicative timeframe4–8 months
Covers crypto OTC & custodial services under new VASP regime (2024–2025)
Discuss this route ↗🇨🇭 Switzerland
SRO Membership (e.g. VQF, OSIF)
Indicative timeframe2–3 months
Enables crypto services under FINMA oversight via self-regulatory orgs
Discuss this route ↗🇦🇺 Australia
AFSL (Fintech / Crypto)
Indicative timeframe6–9 months
License for securities, DeFi, tokenized assets; regulated by ASIC
Discuss this route ↗🇦🇺 Australia
DCE or AUSTRAC Registration
Indicative timeframe1–3 months
Required for digital currency exchanges; KYC/AML compliance
Discuss this route ↗Compare all routes in a table
| Jurisdiction | License Type | Timeframe | Key Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🇪🇺 European Union | MiCA / CASP (Crypto) | 3–6 months | EU-wide passporting, custody, trading, token issuance |
| 🇱🇹 Lithuania | EMI (Fintech) | 4–6 months | Issue e-money, SEPA access, broad fintech permissions |
| 🇬🇧 United Kingdom | EMI (Fintech) | 6–9 months | UK-specific EMI license with FCA regulation |
| 🇨🇦 Canada | MSB (Crypto/Fintech) | 2–4 weeks | Covers crypto exchange, transfer, FX, KYC/AML via FINTRAC |
| 🇺🇸 USA | MSB (Crypto/Fintech) | Varies by state | State-by-state money transmission licenses (MTR) + FinCEN registration |
| 🇭🇰 Hong Kong | MSO / TCSP (Crypto) | 4–8 months | Covers crypto OTC & custodial services under new VASP regime (2024–2025) |
| 🇨🇭 Switzerland | SRO Membership (e.g. VQF, OSIF) | 2–3 months | Enables crypto services under FINMA oversight via self-regulatory orgs |
| 🇦🇺 Australia | AFSL (Fintech / Crypto) | 6–9 months | License for securities, DeFi, tokenized assets; regulated by ASIC |
| 🇦🇺 Australia | DCE or AUSTRAC Registration | 1–3 months | Required for digital currency exchanges; KYC/AML compliance |
Licensing services
Choose your scope.
EU Licensing
Licenses for operations within the European Economic Area (EEA), including passporting rights.
- MiCA / CASP authorisation
- EMI / PI— Electronic Money / Payment Institution
- AISP / PISP — For Open Banking services
- Crypto Asset Services under MiCA — Custody, exchange, issuance
- Passporting
Global Licensing
Licenses for regulated entry into key non-EU financial markets.
- UAE — VARA VASP (Dubai), DMCC
- United Kingdom — EMI (FCA-licensed)
- Canada — FINTRAC MSB
- Hong Kong — VASP (SFC), TCSP
- Switzerland— SRO (VQF, OSIF)
- Australia — AFSL / AUSTRAC DCE
Our process
A clear path to your fintech licence.
01
Strategic Assessment & Roadmap
We analyze your business model to either validate your chosen jurisdiction or recommend the optimal one. This initial phase delivers a clear project roadmap, ensuring you avoid costly strategic mistakes and are perfectly positioned for success.
02
Bulletproof Application Package
Our team partners with you to prepare a bulletproof application package, from business plans to AML/KYC policies, ensuring it is designed to meet the strictest regulatory standards.
03
Submission & Regulator Liaison
We don’t just submit and wait. Our team serves as your primary contact with the regulator, expertly managing all inquiries to ensure a professional and timely response.
04
Approval & Post-Licensing Support
Our support continues after approval. We guide you through license activation and operational setup, then connect you with vetted partners for ongoing compliance and banking needs.
Fees & scope
Financial clarity from day one.
Comprehensive, All-Inclusive Quotes
Our quotes are comprehensive. We clearly itemize every cost (government fees, legal drafting, service fees, and due diligence) so you know exactly what’s included. What you see is what you get.
Our “No Hidden Costs” Promise
We stand by our quotes. The price we agree upon is the price you pay, period. You won’t face unexpected invoices or last-minute charges unless the project scope changes at your request.
Value Beyond Paperwork
You are not paying for form-filling. You are investing in speed, certainty, and risk mitigation. You’re paying for our expertise in navigating regulatory minefields, our network of vetted buyers and partners, and a dedicated project management team that saves you hundreds of hours of complex work.
Success stories
Explore our experience.
Gateway to Asia: A Fast-Track Acquisition of a Hong Kong Crypto License (MSO)
Read the story ↗Unlocking the APAC Market: Securing a Full AFSL License in Australia
Read the story ↗Questions & answers
Crypto & fintech licensing FAQs.
What’s the difference between an EMI and a PI license?
An EMI (Electronic Money Institution) license allows companies to issue and manage e-money, offer payment services, and hold client funds. A PI (Payment Institution) license permits payment services only, without e-money issuance or long-term fund storage. EMI licenses provide broader financial functionality.
Is Canada’s MSB license sufficient for operating a crypto exchange?
Yes. Canada’s MSB (Money Services Business) license, regulated by FINTRAC, is mandatory for operating a crypto exchange. It covers crypto trading, foreign exchange, money transmission, and digital payments. However, it does not permit dealing in securities or derivatives.
Do I need separate licenses to operate in each EU country?
No. Under MiCA and EMI frameworks, once licensed in one EU or EEA country, you can "passport" that license across all member states. This enables operations in 30+ countries using a single regulatory approval.
Can I buy a company that already holds one of these licenses?
Yes. Demire Finance offers ready-made companies with active EMI, VASP, or MSB licenses. Acquiring an existing licensed entity allows faster market entry, pending regulatory approval of ownership transfer.
What license is best for a global crypto startup?
For Europe: MiCA / CASP or Lithuanian EMI.
For North America: Canadian MSB or US MSBs.
For Asia-Pacific: Hong Kong VASP or Australian AFSL.
We’ll help you find the best fit based on your roadmap, product, and compliance goals.
Do you guarantee that my license application will be successful? What happens if it’s rejected?
No reputable firm can guarantee the decision of a sovereign regulatory body. However, our guarantee is one of quality and diligence. We ensure that your application package will be prepared to the highest professional standard, meeting all formal requirements and best practices to maximize the probability of a successful outcome.
The timelines on your website seem optimistic. What is a realistic timeframe for getting a license?
The timeframes provided in our table are indicative estimates based on our experience under ideal conditions. The final timeline can be influenced by many factors, including the complexity of your business model and the regulator’s current workload.Following our initial consultation, we will provide you with a personalized project roadmap. This roadmap will outline a more precise and realistic timeline based on your specific case, allowing you to plan with greater certainty.
You only offer licensing services, but I need a full-service solution (incorporation, accounting, etc.). Is your focused approach a disadvantage for me?
Demire Finance deliberately focuses on licensing. This specialization allows us to be exceptionally efficient and effective in navigating the complexities of the regulatory process.However, as part of the established Demire Group, we offer seamless access to our network of trusted partners for corporate structuring, accounting, and ongoing compliance. This model gives you the best of both worlds: the deep expertise of a licensing specialist managed by a single, dedicated project manager, with the option of an end-to-end solution through our coordinated network.
Your next step
Start with your business model.
Tell us your target markets, intended services and timeline.