Home› Corporate Services› Compliance Services
Last updated: April 2026
Corporate Services · Regulatory Compliance · Global

Regulatory Compliance Services

Geneva coat of arms flags street — Regulatory Compliance Services

Compliance is no longer optional for crypto, fintech, and payment firms. Regulators across the EU, UK, US, and Asia are enforcing AML/KYC rules, MiCA requirements, the FATF Travel Rule, and PSD2 obligations with increasing severity. Our compliance services provide everything from policy design and MLRO appointments to ongoing audit support and regulatory monitoring.

MiCA
EU CASP framework
FATF
Travel Rule compliance
PSD2/PSR
payment firm compliance
Global
jurisdictions covered
At a Glance
FrameworksMiCA, FATF, PSD2, BSA
ServicesPolicy, MLRO, Audit, Training
JurisdictionsGlobal
MLRO ServiceOutsourced or in-house support
Geneva old town swiss cantonal flags — Regulatory Compliance Services
Overview

What Compliance Services Cover

Regulatory compliance for financial services firms involves far more than writing an AML policy. A functional compliance programme must align with the specific regulatory framework of every jurisdiction where you hold a licence or serve clients, be tailored to your actual business model and risk profile, and be maintained continuously as regulations evolve.

Our compliance services cover the full lifecycle: from pre-licensing gap analysis (identifying what you need to get licensed), through programme design and implementation (building the policies, procedures, and systems), to ongoing management (MLRO services, staff training, regulatory reporting, and audit preparation).

The core areas of compliance we cover include Anti-Money Laundering (AML), Counter-Terrorist Financing (CTF), Know Your Customer (KYC) and Customer Due Diligence (CDD), FATF Travel Rule for VASPs, EU MiCA for crypto-asset service providers, PSD2/PSR for payment institutions, US Bank Secrecy Act (BSA) compliance for US-regulated firms, MAS Notice PSN02 for Singapore payment firms, and bespoke frameworks for other regulated jurisdictions.

Service Modules

Core Compliance Modules

Regulatory Gap Analysis
Identify compliance gaps before regulators do
We review your current programme against applicable regulations and produce a prioritised remediation roadmap.
AML/KYC Programme Design
Full policy suite from scratch or update
Policies, procedures, risk matrices, CDD/EDD workflows, PEP/sanctions screening, and transaction monitoring rules.
MLRO-as-a-Service
Qualified MLRO on outsourced basis
SAR/STR filing, FIU liaison, board reporting, and oversight of day-to-day compliance operations.
Staff Training
AML, KYC, and sanctions training
Customised training programmes for front-line, compliance, and senior management staff with assessment and certification.
Regulatory Audit Prep
Prepare for regulator inspections
Mock audits, document review, gap remediation, and coaching for regulatory examination responses.
Ongoing Monitoring
Regulatory watch and update service
Monthly regulatory updates, policy amendments, and compliance calendar management across all your licenced jurisdictions.
MiCA Compliance

MiCA: EU Crypto Compliance 2024/2025

The Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (MiCA) is the EU's comprehensive framework for regulating crypto-asset issuers and service providers. It entered full application in December 2024, making it mandatory for any firm offering crypto services to EU clients to obtain CASP (Crypto-Asset Service Provider) authorisation from their home member state regulator.

MiCA covers ten categories of crypto-asset services: custody and administration, operation of a trading platform, exchange against fiat, exchange against other crypto-assets, execution of orders, placing, reception and transmission of orders, portfolio management, advice, and transfer services. Firms providing any of these services to EU clients without authorisation face significant penalties and operational disruption.

CASP authorisation requires a detailed application including: governance and organisational requirements, capital adequacy (minimum €50,000–€150,000 depending on service category), AML/KYC programme, cybersecurity policies, conflicts of interest policy, complaints handling, business continuity, outsourcing policy, and a detailed business plan. Our MiCA compliance service guides you through the full application process and ongoing compliance requirements.

MiCA Transition: Firms licensed under national frameworks (e.g., German BaFin crypto custody, French DASP, Lithuanian VASP) have until July 2026 to obtain full MiCA authorisation. Starting the process early is strongly recommended — NCAs are already reporting application queues of 12–18 months.

FATF Travel Rule

FATF Travel Rule Implementation

The FATF Travel Rule (Recommendation 16) requires Virtual Asset Service Providers (VASPs) to collect, verify, and transmit information about originators and beneficiaries in crypto transfers. This is the most technically complex compliance requirement for crypto firms, requiring both a compliance framework and technical integration with Travel Rule solutions.

The threshold for Travel Rule obligations varies by jurisdiction: EU AMLD6 / TFR (Transfer of Funds Regulation) applies to all transfers regardless of amount; US FinCEN applies to transfers of $3,000 or more; most other FATF member jurisdictions apply a $1,000 threshold. For transfers to unhosted (self-custodied) wallets, additional verification requirements apply in most jurisdictions.

Technical implementation requires integration with a Travel Rule protocol solution. Major solutions include Notabene, Sygna Bridge, Shyft Network, and TRM Labs' TravelRule. Each integrates with different counterparty VASPs and has different jurisdiction coverage. We advise on solution selection, assist with technical integration, and design the operational procedures around Travel Rule compliance.

JurisdictionFrameworkThresholdUnhosted Wallet Rules
EUTransfer of Funds Regulation (TFR)All amountsIdentity verification + self-declaration
USAFinCEN Travel Rule / BSA$3,000Enhanced due diligence
UKMoney Laundering Regulations£1,000Risk-based assessment
SwitzerlandFINMA VQF / SRO rulesCHF 1,000Strict — beneficiary verification required
SingaporeMAS PSN02SGD 1,500Permitted with enhanced CDD
UAE (ADGM/DIFC)CBUAE / FSRAAED 3,500Permitted with risk assessment
PSD2/PSR

PSD2 & PSR Compliance for Payment Firms

Payment institutions, e-money institutions, and account information service providers regulated under PSD2 (EU) or the Payment Services Regulations (UK) face extensive compliance requirements including safeguarding of client funds, strong customer authentication (SCA), open banking API obligations, and regulatory capital requirements.

The UK PSR (Payment Services and Electronic Money Regulations) diverged from EU PSD2 after Brexit but maintains broadly similar requirements. UK payment firms must comply with FCA expectations on safeguarding, operational resilience, and consumer duty (from July 2023), creating an additional layer of compliance obligations beyond pure payment regulation.

Our PSD2/PSR compliance service covers: safeguarding structure design (segregated accounts or insurance), SCA implementation review, operational resilience framework, regulatory capital monitoring, incident reporting procedures, open banking compliance (for AISPs and PISPs), and preparation for FCA/NCA supervisory reviews.

Cost of Non-Compliance

The Cost of Getting Compliance Wrong

Regulatory fines for AML and compliance failures in the financial sector have escalated dramatically since 2020. For crypto and fintech firms specifically, enforcement actions have resulted in nine-figure penalties, licence revocations, executive bans, and criminal referrals.

FirmRegulatorFineBreach
BinanceFinCEN/DOJ/OFAC$4.3 billionAML / sanctions violations
BitMEXFinCEN/CFTC$100 millionBSA / KYC failures
KrakenOFAC/FinCEN$362 millionSanctions + BSA failures
Robinhood CryptoNYDFS$30 millionAML / cybersecurity
BitfinexNYDFS/CFTC$42.5 millionReporting / customer protection
◆ COMPLIANCE LANDSCAPE

Key Metrics for 2026

47
Jurisdictions with active crypto licensing frameworks
18–24 months
Average regulatory approval timeline (MiCA, BitLicense, FCA)
€2.5M–€8.2M
Estimated annual compliance spend for mid-sized CASP
68%
Of crypto firms require multi-jurisdiction compliance overhaul by Q3 2026
14
Core regulatory modules (AML, KYC, Travel Rule, Market Abuse, Custody)
92%
Compliance audit failure rate without professional guidance (pre-2025 data)
◆ INVESTMENT

Compliance Services Cost Breakdown

Regulatory Framework Assessment & Gap Analysis
Initial audit across target jurisdictions (MiCA, FINMA, FCA, DFSA)
CHF 45,000–65,000
AML/KYC Programme Design & Implementation
Policy drafting, system integration, staff training, ongoing monitoring
CHF 72,000–125,000
Travel Rule & VASP Compliance Setup
FATF Rec. 16 implementation, corridor mapping, API integration
CHF 38,000–58,000
Custody & Asset Safeguarding Controls
Cold storage architecture, insurance verification, audit trails
CHF 28,000–48,000
Ongoing Compliance & Regulatory Monitoring
12-month retainer: regulatory updates, quarterly reviews, incident response
CHF 36,000–60,000
Regulatory Licence Application & Submission Support
Application preparation, regulator liaison, approval coordination (per jurisdiction)
CHF 15,000–28,000
Total Year-1 Investment (Single Jurisdiction)
Multi-jurisdiction scaling: add 35–50% per additional framework
CHF 234,000–384,000
FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

A compliance programme for a crypto firm includes: AML/KYC policy documentation, risk-based customer due diligence procedures, transaction monitoring system configuration, FATF Travel Rule implementation (for VASPs), MLRO appointment and ongoing oversight, staff training, regulatory reporting procedures, and an internal audit schedule. For EU firms, MiCA compliance adds CASP authorisation requirements and ongoing market integrity obligations.
MLRO-as-a-service provides your firm with a qualified Money Laundering Reporting Officer on an outsourced basis. The MLRO fulfils all regulatory obligations including receiving internal suspicious activity reports, filing SARs/STRs with the financial intelligence unit, maintaining compliance records, liaising with regulators, and overseeing the AML programme — without the cost of a full-time senior compliance hire, which typically runs €80,000–€150,000+ per year in the EU.
MiCA applies to crypto-asset service providers (CASPs) operating in the EU from December 2024. Any firm offering crypto custody, exchange, portfolio management, or advisory services to EU clients must obtain CASP authorisation from their home member state regulator. Firms already licensed under national transitional frameworks (e.g., German BaFin, French AMF) have until July 2026 to obtain full MiCA authorisation.
The FATF Travel Rule (Recommendation 16) requires Virtual Asset Service Providers (VASPs) to collect and transmit originator and beneficiary information for crypto transfers above certain thresholds. It applies to any regulated VASP — crypto exchanges, custodians, and transfer services — in FATF member jurisdictions. The EU TFR regulation applies to all transfer amounts regardless of value, while US FinCEN applies a $3,000 threshold.
Compliance service costs vary by scope. A basic AML policy package for a startup typically costs €3,000–€8,000 one-time. MLRO-as-a-service for a small fintech firm runs €2,000–€5,000 per month. Full compliance programme design including MiCA or PSD2 readiness typically costs €15,000–€50,000 for initial implementation, plus ongoing monthly retainer for monitoring and policy updates. Contact us for a tailored quote based on your jurisdiction and business model.
The timeline depends on your firm's complexity and current compliance infrastructure, but most crypto businesses can achieve full MiCA compliance within 3-6 months. Initial assessment and documentation gathering typically takes 4-8 weeks, followed by policy implementation and staff training. If your firm already has a basic compliance framework, you may achieve compliance in as little as 8-12 weeks.
FINMA requires a comprehensive application package including your business plan, organizational chart, detailed compliance programme, CVs of key personnel, financial statements, beneficial ownership documentation, and risk assessment reports. For payment system operators and crypto asset service providers, you'll also need proof of capital adequacy (typically CHF 100,000 to CHF 1 million depending on services offered) and detailed AML/KYC procedures. The complete submission can range from 50-200 pages depending on your firm's scope.
While not always mandatory before applying, having secured banking relationships significantly strengthens your application and accelerates approval timelines. As of 2026, Swiss banks are increasingly willing to work with properly licensed crypto firms, though banking relationships may take 2-4 months to establish. We recommend having at least one banking relationship or a signed term sheet before final FINMA submission.
Non-compliance with the FATF Travel Rule can result in regulatory fines up to CHF 500,000 for Swiss-licensed firms, customer transaction blocks, and license suspension or revocation. Additionally, failure to implement adequate travel rule compliance may prevent your firm from operating on major exchanges or custody platforms, effectively shutting down your business operations. Most regulators globally are actively monitoring travel rule compliance, making this a critical implementation priority.
Yes, annual compliance maintenance typically costs 15-30% of your initial setup investment, including regulatory reporting, staff training, audit fees, and systems updates. For a firm with CHF 500,000 in initial compliance setup costs, expect CHF 75,000-150,000 annually. These costs may increase if regulatory requirements change, new services are added, or if your firm experiences significant growth in transaction volumes.
An in-house CCO typically costs CHF 150,000-250,000 annually plus benefits and recruitment time (3-4 months), while our MLRO-as-a-service model costs CHF 80,000-120,000 annually with immediate deployment. Our advisory service provides access to specialists across multiple regulatory jurisdictions without the burden of permanent headcount, which is particularly valuable for startups or firms operating in multiple territories. However, very large firms (50+ employees) typically benefit from having dedicated in-house compliance staff alongside external advisory support.
Swiss crypto firms must comply with VAT regulations (some crypto services are VATable), direct tax requirements at cantonal and federal levels, and reporting obligations under the Common Reporting Standard (CRS) and DAC6. EU-licensed firms must additionally navigate different VAT treatments across member states, with most crypto trading services currently exempt but subject to change in 2026. We recommend engaging a specialized crypto tax advisor early, as improper tax classification can trigger audits and penalties ranging from CHF 50,000-500,000 depending on jurisdiction and violation severity.

Compliance Consultation

Get expert compliance guidance for your crypto, fintech, or payment firm — from policy design to MLRO services.

Request Consultation →
Frameworks Covered
EU CryptoMiCA / AMLD6
Global VASPsFATF Travel Rule
EU PaymentsPSD2 / TFR
USABSA / FinCEN
SingaporeMAS PSA / PSN02
Related Services
AML/KYC Policies→
FinTech Licensing→
Crypto Licences→
Practitioner Insight

Practical Licensing Insight

Based on CryptoLicenses.net consulting data, 2024-2026

MH
Dr. Marcus Hartmann
Senior Licensing Consultant · LL.M. International Financial Law
22 years in financial services regulation. Advised 400+ crypto licensing mandates across 60+ jurisdictions. Based in Zug, Switzerland.
Free Consultation

Ready to Get Licensed?

Tell us about your project and we'll identify the right jurisdiction, outline the requirements, and give you a realistic cost estimate — at no charge.

  • 🇨🇭 Swiss-registered firm, Zug
  • ⚡ Response within a few hours
  • 🔒 Strictly confidential
  • ✓ 80+ jurisdictions covered

Confidential · No obligation · No spam