News & Insights

Expert analysis on regulatory developments, practical guidance, and thought leadership from our team.

Regulatory Update

Spain Classifies Spot-Quoted and Perpetual Futures as CFDs — What CySEC-Licensed Brokers Serving EU Clients Must Know

Spain's CNMV has formally notified CySEC that spot-quoted futures and perpetual futures offered to Spanish retail clients must be treated as CFDs — triggering ESMA leverage caps and marketing restrictions. Belgium's blanket CFD ban remains in force. What CIF brokers need to review now.

June 10, 2026
Related Services
Cyprus CIF (CySEC) LicenseInvestment Licensing
Company Formation

Offshore Company Formation 2026 — Banking, Payroll & Accounting: The Complete Setup Guide

Complete 2026 guide to setting up an offshore or international company — jurisdiction selection, corporate bank account opening (Swiss, EU, Asian), private banking for directors, payroll, accounting, and compliance across 14 jurisdictions.

June 10, 2026
Related Services
Company FormationHong Kong CompanySingapore CompanyAccounting Services
VASP Licensing

How to Start a VASP, CASP or Crypto Company in 2026 — The Complete Licensing Guide

Complete 2026 guide to starting a VASP or CASP crypto company — MiCA CASP deadline July 2026, Dubai VARA, Mauritius VAITOS, Seychelles, Cayman, Labuan, El Salvador. Business models, technology stack, Travel Rule, and realistic cost breakdowns.

June 10, 2026
Related Services
Mauritius VASPDubai VARA
Payment Licensing

How to Start an EMI or PSP Company in 2026 — The Complete Licensing & Setup Guide

The complete 2026 guide to starting an EMI or PSP payment company — license types, jurisdiction comparison (Lithuania, Singapore, Mauritius, Labuan, Canada), technology stack, capital requirements, and realistic budgets from USD $50,000 to USD $500,000+.

June 10, 2026
Related Services
Payment LicensingMauritius PIS
Investment Licensing

How to Start a Forex Broker in 2026 — The Complete Guide to Licensing, Technology & Operations

The complete 2026 guide to starting a forex broker — business model, jurisdiction comparison across every tier, company structure, technology stack, AML/CFT, realistic cost breakdown, and timelines from SVG to CySEC.

June 10, 2026
Related Services
Investment LicensingCyprus CIF
Regulatory Update

Malaysia's New SC Advertising Rules: RM10 Million Fine or 10 Years Jail for Promoting Unlicensed Brokers

Malaysia's Securities Commission has introduced sweeping new advertising rules targeting unlicensed brokers and financial promoters. Penalties reach RM10 million and 10 years imprisonment. What brokers and affiliates operating in or targeting Malaysia need to know in 2026.

June 9, 2026
Related Services
Investment LicensingCompany Formation
Regulatory Update

Mauritius FSC Authorised Bank Signatory Regime for GBCs: What Changes in 2026

Mauritius is tightening oversight of Global Business Company bank account signatories under the FSC's authorised signatory regime. Here's what GBC holders, fund managers, and corporate service providers need to know in 2026.

June 8, 2026
Related Services
Mauritius GBCMauritius Authorised Company
Company Formation

Best Jurisdictions for a Holding Company in 2026: Known Leaders and Hidden Gems

A 2026 guide to the best jurisdictions for setting up a holding or investment holding company — from Singapore and the Cayman Islands to hidden gems like Estonia and Labuan. Updated tax data, substance requirements, and practical comparisons.

June 1, 2026
Related Services
Company FormationCyprus
Regulatory Update

SVG FSA Issues Updated Requirements for VASP Applicants

The Financial Services Authority of Saint Vincent & the Grenadines has issued revised requirements for Virtual Asset Business applications under the VAB Act, 2022 — including a new explicit requirement for on-shore physical presence.

May 22, 2026
Related Services
VASP LicensingCompliance
Regulatory Updates

CySEC CIF License in 2026 — What's Changed, Who's Getting Fined, and What Applicants Need to Know

47 new CIF licenses approved in 2025, €2.3M in fines, Triangleview suspended, new sanctions regime from August 2025. ESMA CSA 2026 inspections running now. Full guide including offshore counterpart structures in Mauritius and Seychelles.

April 26, 2026
Related Services
Investment LicensingCyprus CIF
Regulatory Updates

Mauritius FSC Clarification — Investment Dealers Are Not Permitted to Act as Liquidity Providers

The FSC Mauritius has clarified that investment dealer companies may not act as liquidity providers to other brokers. No current authorisation framework permits this activity except under an investment banking licence. Affected firms should seek immediate advice.

April 24, 2026
Related Services
Investment LicensingCompliance
Investment Licensing

UAE CFD & FX Broker Licensing in 2026 — CMA and DFSA Options Compared

CMA Category 1 (full brokerage, AED 10M) vs CMA Category 5 (introduction, 3–6 months) vs DFSA Category 3A (USD 500K, 12–14 months) vs DFSA Category 4 (USD 10K, 4–6 months). The four UAE licence pathways for CFD and FX firms explained.

April 23, 2026
Related Services
Investment LicensingCompany FormationCompliance
About Zitadelle AG

Looking for a Fintech Consultant or Holding Company Registration Expert? Why Zitadelle AG Is the Right Choice

Zitadelle AG is a specialist fintech regulatory advisory firm led by Aleksandr Kazak — a former Swiss bank and MiFID II professional who has run ZAG for 10+ years. Supported by Valeria Teterina (ACCA, IFRS), Elena (EU attorney at law), Chrise Samuil (Malaysia corporate & finance), and Norshiela Binti Ahmad (fintech accountant, Labuan). We handle holding company registrations and financial licensing across Labuan, Mauritius, Cyprus, Seychelles, BVI, Cayman, and 25+ jurisdictions.

April 20, 2026
Related Services
Company FormationInvestment LicensingVASP LicensingCompliance
Virtual Assets

Seychelles Crypto License 2026 — VASP Act Reality Check, Who's Licensed, and What the FSA Actually Expects

OKX, Bybit, eToro, KuCoin, HTX, and BitMEX operate from Seychelles. The VASP Act 2024 ended the no-license era on September 1, 2024. In 2025 the FSA started enforcing: live system walk-throughs, genuine substance requirements, and a new Code of Corporate Governance effective January 2026. The honest 2026 picture.

April 14, 2026
Related Services
Seychelles VASP LicenseSeychelles FSA Securities DealerMauritius VASP LicenseCyprus MiCA CASP
Company Formation

DMCC Company Registration for Proprietary Trading Firms in Dubai (2026 Guide)

DMCC has been named Global Free Zone of the Year nine consecutive times and hosts 25,000+ companies. The 2025 FZCO suffix rule, tightened UBO obligations, and VARA's NOC pathway for crypto prop desks — everything you need to know about setting up a proprietary trading firm in Dubai in 2026.

April 13, 2026
Related Services
DMCC Company FormationMauritius Investment DealerSeychelles FSA LicenseCosta Rica & Panama VASP
Payment Licensing

Malaysia Merchant Acquiring License (BNM) 2026 — Regulatory Guide & Who Is Licensed

Malaysia processed 18.4 billion e-payment transactions in 2025, growing at 17% CAGR. BNM's registered merchant acquirer list includes Stripe, Razer Merchant Services, ShopeePay, TNG Digital, GHL, FIS Worldpay, and 40+ others. Full guide to BNM merchant acquiring registration under the Financial Services Act 2013.

April 13, 2026
Related Services
Malaysia Company FormationLabuan Payment LicenseMauritius Payment LicenseSingapore Payment License
Virtual Assets

Switzerland SRO Registration for Crypto & VASP Companies 2026 — What's Changing and What It Actually Costs

The Swiss Federal Council proposed two new FINMA license categories for crypto in October 2025 — the biggest shake-up to the Swiss framework in years. Crypto Valley hosts 1,749 companies. VQF SRO membership costs CHF 4,000–6,000 and takes 8–12 weeks. What the new rules mean, who is moving to Switzerland, and why the SRO route remains the smartest entry point for most crypto operators.

April 13, 2026
Related Services
Switzerland SRO RegistrationCyprus MiCA CASPMauritius VASP LicenseLabuan VASP License
Market News

Crypto Regulation News 2026: MiCA Crackdown, US Clarity Act & the Global VASP Licensing Rush

The regulatory landscape for virtual asset service providers has never moved faster. MiCA deadline July 1, 2026. US CLARITY Act advancing. Japan classifying crypto as financial instruments. Full VASP licensing guide across 17 jurisdictions.

April 12, 2026
Related Services
VASP LicensingCyprus MiCA CASPMauritius VASPSeychelles VASP
Company Formation

Cayman Islands Company Formation 2026: New Laws, CIMA Updates & Why It's Still the World's Top Offshore Structure

The Companies (Amendment) Act 2024 came into force January 2026. CRS 2.0 activated. Tokenised funds framework published. 17,741 private funds registered. Full guide to Cayman company formation, exempted companies, and CIMA licensing in 2026.

April 12, 2026
Related Services
Cayman Islands Company FormationCayman VASP LicenseBVI Company FormationHong Kong Company Formation
Virtual Assets

How to Register as a Digital Currency Exchange (DCE) Provider with AUSTRAC in 2026 — and Why the Rules Just Got a Lot More Serious

March 31, 2026 changed everything for crypto businesses in Australia. AUSTRAC's expanded regime, the Crypto Travel Rule, enforcement actions against Cryptolink/Binance/Revolut, and 32% of Australians now owning crypto. Complete guide to DCE registration.

April 12, 2026
Related Services
Australia DCE RegistrationMauritius VASP LicenseSeychelles VASP LicenseVASP Licensing

Showing 1–20 of 44 articles

Stay informed on regulatory changes

Subscribe to our newsletter for expert analysis delivered to your inbox.

💬 WhatsApp UsTelegramLinkedIn