Service

Licensing strategy and compliance

From pre-application readiness to regulator interviews, we align governance, capital, and operational requirements to secure and maintain licenses.

Who it is for

Who this service is designed for

We tailor scope and evidence requirements to your operating model and license mix.

  • Startups entering regulated financial services for the first time
  • Groups expanding into new jurisdictions or license categories
  • Firms transitioning from offshore to onshore operations

Scope of engagement

Scope of engagement

Typical inclusions that define the engagement perimeter.

  • Licensing feasibility and route selection
  • Regulator engagement preparation and evidence planning
  • Application documentation and submission support
  • Post-approval compliance roadmap

Typical deliverables

Typical deliverables

Concrete outputs mapped to regulator expectations.

License feasibility review

Regulatory perimeter mapping and licensing options.

Application documentation pack

Governance, risk, and operational evidence aligned to regulators.

Submission plan and tracker

Timeline, dependency, and regulator query log.

Post-approval roadmap

Compliance and reporting plan for the first 12 months.

Engagement timeline

Engagement timeline

Indicative ranges based on complexity and jurisdiction.

Typically 8 to 12 weeks to prepare the submission pack. Regulator review timelines vary by authority.

Client responsibilities

Client responsibilities

Inputs and collaboration required for efficient delivery.

  • Provide business model, ownership, and financial inputs
  • Assign decision makers for governance and submission approvals
  • Support regulator meetings where required
  • Provide timely feedback on drafts and evidence requests

What success looks like

What success looks like

Conservative outcomes we aim to achieve with your team.

  • Clear licensing route aligned to the operating model
  • Submission pack complete with supporting evidence
  • Regulator queries managed with consistent responses
  • Post-approval compliance plan established

Process

How we deliver

A structured approach that balances speed, regulator expectations, and operational realities.

Step 1

Route selection

Compare licensing options, costs, and regulatory intensity based on the operating model.

Step 2

Submission build

Prepare application packs, governance documentation, and operational evidence.

Step 3

Regulatory engagement

Coordinate responses, meetings, and remediation steps throughout the review cycle.

Risk-aware note

Regulatory outcomes depend on evidence and regulator review

We focus on defensible documentation and controls, but regulators determine outcomes.

We prepare submissions and evidence for regulators, but licensing approvals are determined solely by the regulator.

Case study

Related execution example

An anonymized engagement that reflects the scope and outcomes for this service.

Related industries

Fintech Companies

From licensing strategy to operational controls, we help fintechs scale without compliance surprises.

Forex Brokers

Compliance programs, execution oversight, and licensing support tailored to multi-entity brokerage groups.

Cryptocurrency Exchanges

Regulatory alignment for virtual asset service providers across licensing, AML, custody controls, and reporting.

Related insights

Insights tied to this service

Relevant guidance and practical playbooks for this service area.

Core Controls for VASP Licensing

A regulator-facing view of custody, travel rule, and transaction monitoring controls for virtual asset service providers.

Choosing the Right Jurisdiction: A Decision Framework

How to compare licensing routes based on regulatory intensity, market access, and operational cost.

Building a Regulator-Ready Licensing Pack

Avoid delays by aligning governance, capital, and operational evidence before submission.

FAQ

Service questions

If you need a tailored scope, we can walk through the details.

Can you assess which license we need?

Yes. We map products and target markets to licensing categories and regulatory expectations.

Do you manage regulator queries during the process?

We coordinate responses and provide evidence so the regulator receives a consistent submission.

What if we already submitted our application?

We can step in mid-process to review gaps and close regulator questions.

Next step

Scope a tailored compliance program

Book a call to discuss jurisdiction priorities, timelines, and evidence requirements.