Foreign exchange (Forex) license selection is a critical business choice that involves several factors, such as following a certain set of regulatory processes and meeting local, state, and federal laws and regulations.
To this end, it is important to first determine which regulatory jurisdiction provides the most favorable conditions for the successful operation of your firm.
As the foreign exchange (forex) industry matures and becomes more regulated, competitive, and demanding, a rising number of Forex brokerage firms are emerging and obtaining licenses. Because of the possibility that any number of circumstances might play a deciding role, it is essential that each case be carefully examined.
The most important factors to think about when selecting the best forex license for your company’s operations are laid down:
- Find a forex attorney who accompanies you at all stages of registration and obtaining a license.
- Costs associated with establishing a new business company and maintaining its legal existence vary widely from jurisdiction to country. The incorporation procedure is easier and faster in certain countries because of the cheap costs and regulations.
- Forex licenses for brokers – As the number of unregulated offshore countries for Forex brokerage businesses decreases, many brokers must decide whether or not to operate a regulated company and, if so, in what jurisdiction to do so.
- Getting a broker’s license may cost a lot of money and take a long time (anything from a few weeks to a year). Though the Forex market may be uncontrolled in certain offshore jurisdictions, you should be aware that this may be seen unfavorably by your partners (investors, customers, and banks).
With an FX license, You can…
- provide any kind of investing service and/or custody of Client Funds/Assets;
- increase earnings by subjecting companies to little or no taxation;
- work on a global scale;
- increase the percentages of sales commissions;
- to control the Forex market, one must first secure licenses from the most prestigious regulators, such as the MFSA, FSP, and CySEC.
- Ensure the nation of choice has a well-established legal system, open and transparent economic policies, a stable currency, and no limits on the repatriation of investment funds. As an added precaution, there must be no chance that the tax exemption will be selected due to a change in government or foreign political pressure.
- Taxation system – Some offshore systems have reduced taxes, while others have zero-taxation status. However, the lack of a tax burden is not always the deciding factor.
- When it comes to the worldwide battle against money laundering and terrorist funding, “black lists” identify those countries that are not cooperating at the global level. The FATF often revises this list.
Cyprus’s forex license is the most sought-after
In recent years, a major Mediterranean island has risen to prominence as a prime place from which to receive a Forex license. Individuals may run a Forex company in a tax-friendly jurisdiction because to the country’s favourable tax framework and its EU Member status, as well as its mix of highly-skilled professional services, modern infrastructure, and a broad array of investment prospects.
Cyprus’ 12.5% business tax rate is among the lowest in Europe. It takes between 4 and 8 months to receive a license from the Cyprus Securities and Exchange (CySEC), which is a licensing and regulating agency for the foreign exchange market and is widely regarded as one of the best in the world.
Costs associated with securing the necessary license(s) might run anywhere from €2,000 to €51,000. Share capital requirements vary per licensing but generally fall between 80,000 EUR and 1,000,000 EUR and must be maintained at all times.
This article was written by Valeriy Matyash, an experienced intellectual property and compliance expert.
