Guides & resources
Guides on financial licensing and technology
Original explanations with official sources. Use them alongside the interactive tools.
Licensing guides
8 min read
What Financial Licence Do I Need?
A structured way to work out which authorisation your business model actually triggers — by activity, not by label.
9 min read
How to Get an EMI Licence
EU and UK electronic-money licensing: capital, safeguarding, governance and the application file.
8 min read
How to Get a Payment Institution Licence
PSD2 payment services, capital tiers and when a PI is the right licence.
7 min read
UAE Financial Licensing
Onshore CBUAE, Dubai VARA, DIFC and ADGM explained.
9 min read
EU CASP Licensing under MiCA
Crypto-asset service provider authorisation, capital classes and passporting in the EU.
7 min read
UK Financial Authorisations Overview
Banks, EMIs, payment institutions and crypto registration in the UK.
7 min read
Singapore Financial Licensing
MAS payment institution classes and digital payment token services.
7 min read
How Much Does a Banking Licence Cost?
Separating capital from cost: what actually drives the budget for a regulated financial launch.
7 min read
How to Acquire a Licensed Financial Company
Change-of-control approval, due diligence and why buying a licence is rarely a shortcut.
10 min read
How to Start a Neobank
Licensing routes, partner models and the technology stack behind a digital bank launch.
Switzerland
9 min read
What Is a Swiss SRO?
Self-regulatory organisations supervise Swiss financial intermediaries for AML — here is what affiliation does and does not permit.
10 min read
How to Start a Swiss VASP
Exchange, transfer and custody models for crypto businesses in Switzerland, and which route each one triggers.
7 min read
The Swiss FinTech Licence Explained
The Art. 1b "banking licence light": deposit limits, capital, and who it suits.
Financial software
9 min read
What Software Does a Neobank Need?
A capability map of the systems behind a digital banking product — and which parts must come from licensed providers.
8 min read
Financial Software: Build vs Buy
A transparent framework for comparing in-house development, subscription platforms and licensed software.
6 min read
Perpetual vs Subscription Financial Software
How licensing models affect five-year ownership cost, control and exit options.
7 min read
Crypto Exchange and VASP Technology Infrastructure
Wallets, custody, liquidity, travel rule and compliance systems for crypto businesses.