Africa & Indian Ocean · SC
Seychelles
A jurisdiction frequently used for international brokerage entities, now with a dedicated virtual asset service provider framework.
At a glance
- Status
- Sovereign state
- Region
- Africa & Indian Ocean
- Regulated sectors
- CryptoInvestment
- Authorities
- FSA
- Licensing routes
- 2
Overview
The framework
The Seychelles Financial Services Authority licenses securities dealers and other non-bank financial services, and is the authority for virtual asset service providers under the Virtual Asset Service Providers Act 2024.
Seychelles entities are commonly used within broker groups to serve international clients. Banks and counterparties will assess such entities in the context of the whole group; we prepare the group-level file they review.
Authorities
Who regulates what
- Financial Services Authority (FSA)
- Securities dealers, VASPs and other non-bank financial services.
Regimes
Licensing routes
Securities dealer licence
For brokerage and dealing in securities and derivatives.
Sectors: Investment
VASP licence
Licensing under the Virtual Asset Service Providers Act 2024.
Sectors: Crypto
Our Regulatory & Licensing practice prepares the applications for these routes and manages them through to the regulator's decision.
Considerations
What to weigh up
- Present the whole group transparently: it is essential for banking and counterparty acceptance.
- Document carefully how clients are allocated between group entities.
This overview is general information, summarised at a high level. Requirements change and depend on the specific activity; seek advice on your circumstances before acting.
Across jurisdictions
Cross-jurisdiction capabilities
Services we support across the jurisdictions in our directory, described once on their own pages. We deliver each to the requirements that apply locally, coordinating local specialists where local law, registration, representation or professional requirements require it.
- Privacy & Data ProtectionExternal DPO services and working privacy programmes: GDPR and global privacy laws, DPIAs, data mapping, transfers and ISO/IEC 27701.
- Information Security & CybersecurityFractional CISO support, ISMS and security programmes, certification and audit readiness, DORA, NIS2 and customer assurance for enterprise sales.
- AI GovernanceGovernance that lets AI adoption scale: EU AI Act readiness, ISO/IEC 42001 management systems, AI risk and impact assessments, and vendor risk.
- AML & Financial Crime ComplianceAML/CFT programmes, MLRO-as-a-Service, independent AML/CFT audits, risk assessments, monitoring, sanctions and inspection support.
- IP Registration & ProtectionTrademark and patent registration, copyright, domain disputes and enforcement that protect your brand, software and content across markets.
- Legal OpinionsRegulatory, business model, perimeter, payment, gaming, crypto-asset and cross-border opinions that answer what banks and investors ask.
- Bank Account OpeningHelp organising your banking with banks and EMIs that fit your model, from the onboarding file and account structure to periodic reviews.
- Merchant Account / Acquiring SetupMerchant applications, acquiring structure and negotiated terms for online and high-risk merchants that need stable card and local payment acceptance.
Support
Seychelles: how we support your business
- Regulatory & LicensingStrategy, applications and regulator engagement for the crypto and investment routes listed above.
- Corporate StructuringGroup architecture, incorporation, substance and governance built around your licences, banking and investors.
- Market Entry & Regulatory StrategyMarket prioritisation, regulatory roadmaps and launch readiness that let you expand into new jurisdictions in the right order.
Seychelles: the right fit for your business?
We look at your product, target clients and banking needs to see whether this jurisdiction fits or another would serve you better, then send a written proposal with scope, timetable and fee.