Forex License in Seychelles
Professional advice in getting a Forex license in Seychelles. From drafting all the paperwork and filling out an application form to successfully launching a Forex company in the Seychelles — LegalBison puts all the puzzle pieces together.
- Reputed offshore jurisdiction
- Ideal for Forex brokerage and trading platforms
- Securities dealing and exchange
- Possibility to create an investment fund
Our team of experienced professionals to assist you with any question and project pertaining to FinTech projects.
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Forex regulation/legislation in the Seychelles
The Seychelles Securities Dealer License is issued by the Seychelles Financial Services Authority (FSA), an official regulatory body formed by virtue of the Financial Services Authority Act of 2013. The FSA is the primary body accountable for the licensing and supervising of all the licensees in the Seychelles.
Being a large archipelago in the Indian Ocean, the Seychelles is a country remarkable for its financial stability and innovative approach to its very own regulatory framework. Registering a Forex business in the Seychelles can be a beneficial root for CEOs seeking innovation in Forex trading, paired with fair regulatory conditions.
What you need to know about the Seychelles’ Forex license
The only rightful body that can issue the Seychelles Securities Dealer License is the Seychelles Financial Services Authority, often shortened to the FSA. The FSA was established back in 2013 with the introduction of the fundamental legislation called the Financial Services Authority Act.
The Act gives the FSA the power to supervise, regulate, issue, and withdraw the licenses issued to financial service providers according to the Act itself and the financial services legislation of the Seychelles. In simple terms, any paperwork and monitoring, as well as reviewing the license applications and compliance with the country’s legal framework are the direct responsibility of the FSA.
The Seychelles License has a broad scope of financial services it covers, including currency trading, dealing in securities, mutual funds, and investment advisor’s licenses, to name a few. However, its flexibility is not the only reason future brokers pick Seychelles as their licensing authority.
Navigating and supporting its licensees at every step of the licensing process, Seychelles is a country that abides by the principles of the international organizations it is a part of, such as the United Nations, the Commonwealth of Nations, and the World Trade Organization. Hence the brilliant reputation of the Seychelles in terms of economic and social growth.
Seychelles Forex license: Process & Timeline
The FSA itself has sorted out the instructions for the licensing procedure in the Seychelles, including the application forms and checklists. However, it might be challenging to piece everything together without some professional legal assistance provided by LegalBison.
Generally speaking, the process of obtaining a Forex license Seychelles consists of three main steps:
- Company incorporation in the Seychelles (must have a local registered office)
- Preparation and submission of an application form along with the payment of an application fee (proof of payment must be attached to the application)
- Consideration and reviewing of the application form by the regulating authority
The duration of consideration of all completed applications by the FSA is thirty (30) working days. It is noteworthy that the licensing process does not always go through without delays, hence the standard is set only for those applications that are formed and submitted according to all the requirements and contain all the necessary information.
In case the application is considered incomplete by the Authority, it will be returned to the applicant with a resubmission period of 3 months. Since the regulation itself is not binding when it comes to the licensing duration, new applicants must understand that the final consideration period will depend solely on their particular company type and individual circumstances.
Main types of Forex licenses in the Seychelles
A Seychelles Forex license is suitable for different kinds of activities. Whether one wants to deal in securities, work as an intermediary in security exchange, or give investment advice, the Seychelles permit covers all these activities and more.
The main types of licenses issued by the FSA are classified by the Securities Act of 2007:
- Securities Dealer License. The Seychelles SDL is the main and the most popular type of license one can get for a Forex business registered in the country. This permit includes buying and selling securities, as well as managing securities portfolios of clients.
- Securities Exchange License. Slightly differs from the SDL in terms of requirements both in the application form and in the quarterly returns form. Any type of securities exchange is prohibited in the Seychelles unless conducted under this license. The license allows an applicant to operate a regulated exchange for buying and selling securities.
- Investment Advisor License. The license is issued to Persons (individuals or companies) that consult others concerning investment in securities, provide analyses or reports on specific securities, or manage a securities portfolio for another individual or a company.
- Fund Administrator License. Covers the permits to run Private and Public Funds, as well as Professional and Exempt Funds. In addition, includes Fund Administrator, Restricted Fund Administrator, and Approved Foreign Administrator licenses.
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Packages Forex License in the Seychelles
Are you considering registering your Forex startup in the Seychelles? LegalBison provides initial consultations as well as all-around assistance at every stage of the licensing procedure. Take a look at the service packages we offer to get your Forex business on the road.
Our team of experienced professionals to assist you with any question and project pertaining to FinTech projects.
+44 20 4577 0974
Experienced crypto and FinTech MLRO with company structuring and PI onboarding.
+44 20 4577 0974
Free consultation pertaining to the Forex license in Seychelles with a dedicated legal expert.
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Initial consultation
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Incorporation in the Seychelles
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Registered legal company address
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Professional and legal fees
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Full legal support for application to the Securities Dealer License
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Legal advisor and auditor consent
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Set of corporate documents
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Corporate account opening assistance
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Local AML/MLRO Officer
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Local Compliance Officer
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Local Auditor
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Physical office service
Complete Forex set-up in the Seychelles, including all the necessary items and assistance.
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Initial consultation
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Incorporation in the Seychelles
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Registered legal company address
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Professional and legal fees
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Full legal support for application to the Securities Dealer License
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Legal advisor and auditor consent
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Set of corporate documents
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Corporate account opening assistance
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Local AML/MLRO Officer
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Local Compliance Officer
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Local Auditor
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Physical office service
The complete package with additional services for localization of the business in the Seychelles.
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Initial consultation
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Incorporation in the Seychelles
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Registered legal company address
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Professional and legal fees
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Full legal support for application to the Securities Dealer License
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Legal advisor and auditor consent
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Set of corporate documents
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Corporate account opening assistance
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Local AML/MLRO Officer
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Local Compliance Officer
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Local Auditor
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Physical office service
What is possible with the Forex license in the Seychelles
Forex brokerage platform with a Forex license in the Seychelles
The Seychelles are home to multiple Forex brokerages, which pick the country for its political and economic stability. In addition, high leverage brokers Seychelles offer increased leverage ratios to their clients compared to the brokerages registered in other countries, both onshore and offshore.
The most suitable permit for running a Forex company in the Seychelles is the Seychelles Securities Dealer License. With such, it is possible to buy, sell, and trade securities on the foreign exchange market.
Portfolio management with a Forex license in the Seychelles
Portfolio Management is included in two main types of the Seychelles investment license: the Seychelles Securities Dealer License and the Investment Advisor License. By obtaining one of these permits, a company or an individual gets the right to manage a portfolio of securities for another person — albeit with a slight difference between the two. Unlike the SDL, the Investment Advisor License does not allow the portfolio manager to hold the property of the other person.
Securities issuance with a Forex license in the Seychelles
It is possible to issue securities under the Securities Dealer License from the FSA. With the SDL license, one can make agreements with third parties to acquire, dispose of, subscribe for, underwrite, or perform any other activity that causes a securities transaction. Such a person also obtains the right to buy or sell securities that are executed upon order.
All the activities which concern securities are performed by the licensee on behalf of their client.
Financial advising with a Forex license in the Seychelles
The capabilities under this license include issuing professional advice concerning trading and exchanging securities, investing in securities, and all Forex-related recommendations. In addition, it might include advice on investment strategies and opportunities overlooked by the client, as well as managing clients’ securities portfolios.
Issuance of derivatives with a Forex license in the Seychelles
Derivatives are an indispensable part of the Securities Dealer License or Securities Exchange License issued by the FSA of the Seychelles. In fact, “securities” is an umbrella term that encompasses, among other things, derivatives such as futures, swaps, options, forwards, and contracts for differences (aka CFDs).
In short, it is allowed to deal with various types of derivatives under the Seychelles SDL.
Operating a trading bot with a Forex license in the Seychelles
Launching and maintaining Forex trading bots or crypto trading bots is one of the activities permitted by the Seychelles investment license. In the era of rapid digitalization and automatization of all financial processes, using a trading bot eliminates the ordeal of managing one’s capital manually, which sometimes can be time-consuming and straight-up confusing, especially for new traders.
LegalBison provides professional advice and guidelines to every individual or company interested in launching a trading bot in the Seychelles.
Offering CFDs and Futures contracts with a Forex license in the Seychelles
CFDs and trading of futures are included in the scope of activities allowed by the Seychelles investment license.
In addition, the Securities Dealer License also involves options and forwards. For the companies or individuals providing financial advice, it is also possible to obtain an Investment Advisor License, allowing licensees to give recommendations on trading futures and dealing with the CFDs as integral components of the term “securities”.
Offering leveraged trading with a Forex license in the Seychelles
The Seychelles investment license creates a stable and favorable environment for different trading conditions. As experience shows, multiple high-leverage Forex brokerages that are currently active on the market are licensed by the FSA of the Seychelles.
The relative flexibility of the Seychelles license allows the existence of brokerages with leverage ratios of 1:500, 1:1000, and sometimes even higher.
Cryptocurrency trading platform with a Forex license in the Seychelles
A Forex company registered and licensed in the Seychelles can provide digital asset-related services if it has sufficient legal documentation to do so.
With the help of the experts from LegalBison, you can define whether Seychelles is the right jurisdiction for your particular project. For more information, read about the crypto license in the Seychelles.
- Forex Brokerage
- Portfolio Management
- Securities Issuance
- Financial Advising
- Derivatives
- Trading Bots
- CFD & Futures Trading
- Leveraged Trading
- Cryptocurrency
Forex brokerage platform with a Forex license in the Seychelles
The Seychelles are home to multiple Forex brokerages, which pick the country for its political and economic stability. In addition, high leverage brokers Seychelles offer increased leverage ratios to their clients compared to the brokerages registered in other countries, both onshore and offshore.
The most suitable permit for running a Forex company in the Seychelles is the Seychelles Securities Dealer License. With such, it is possible to buy, sell, and trade securities on the foreign exchange market.
Portfolio management with a Forex license in the Seychelles
Portfolio Management is included in two main types of the Seychelles investment license: the Seychelles Securities Dealer License and the Investment Advisor License. By obtaining one of these permits, a company or an individual gets the right to manage a portfolio of securities for another person — albeit with a slight difference between the two. Unlike the SDL, the Investment Advisor License does not allow the portfolio manager to hold the property of the other person.
Securities issuance with a Forex license in the Seychelles
It is possible to issue securities under the Securities Dealer License from the FSA. With the SDL license, one can make agreements with third parties to acquire, dispose of, subscribe for, underwrite, or perform any other activity that causes a securities transaction. Such a person also obtains the right to buy or sell securities that are executed upon order.
All the activities which concern securities are performed by the licensee on behalf of their client.
Financial advising with a Forex license in the Seychelles
The capabilities under this license include issuing professional advice concerning trading and exchanging securities, investing in securities, and all Forex-related recommendations. In addition, it might include advice on investment strategies and opportunities overlooked by the client, as well as managing clients’ securities portfolios.
Issuance of derivatives with a Forex license in the Seychelles
Derivatives are an indispensable part of the Securities Dealer License or Securities Exchange License issued by the FSA of the Seychelles. In fact, “securities” is an umbrella term that encompasses, among other things, derivatives such as futures, swaps, options, forwards, and contracts for differences (aka CFDs).
In short, it is allowed to deal with various types of derivatives under the Seychelles SDL.
Operating a trading bot with a Forex license in the Seychelles
Launching and maintaining Forex trading bots or crypto trading bots is one of the activities permitted by the Seychelles investment license. In the era of rapid digitalization and automatization of all financial processes, using a trading bot eliminates the ordeal of managing one’s capital manually, which sometimes can be time-consuming and straight-up confusing, especially for new traders.
LegalBison provides professional advice and guidelines to every individual or company interested in launching a trading bot in the Seychelles.
Offering CFDs and Futures contracts with a Forex license in the Seychelles
CFDs and trading of futures are included in the scope of activities allowed by the Seychelles investment license.
In addition, the Securities Dealer License also involves options and forwards. For the companies or individuals providing financial advice, it is also possible to obtain an Investment Advisor License, allowing licensees to give recommendations on trading futures and dealing with the CFDs as integral components of the term “securities”.
Offering leveraged trading with a Forex license in the Seychelles
The Seychelles investment license creates a stable and favorable environment for different trading conditions. As experience shows, multiple high-leverage Forex brokerages that are currently active on the market are licensed by the FSA of the Seychelles.
The relative flexibility of the Seychelles license allows the existence of brokerages with leverage ratios of 1:500, 1:1000, and sometimes even higher.
Cryptocurrency trading platform with a Forex license in the Seychelles
A Forex company registered and licensed in the Seychelles can provide digital asset-related services if it has sufficient legal documentation to do so.
With the help of the experts from LegalBison, you can define whether Seychelles is the right jurisdiction for your particular project. For more information, read about the crypto license in the Seychelles.
How to obtain a Forex license in the Seychelles
The licensing procedure in the Seychelles is straightforward and relatively hassle-free. The three steps below will help you set up a company and successfully operate as a Forex broker.
INCORPORATION OF A COMPANY IN THE SEYCHELLES
The incorporation of the company in the Seychelles starts with forming a local office with a registered address within the jurisdiction. In order to be subject to a 1.5% business tax, an applicant must meet the substantial activity requirements, which include:
- Employing a sufficient number of workers to carry out the core income-generating activities in a physical office in the Seychelles
- Incurring a sufficient amount of operating expenditures for such activities
Back Office and Middle Office operations must be carried out in a physical office in the Seychelles. At the same time, Front Office operations, such as meeting with clients who wish to buy or sell securities, can be run outside the Seychelles.
PREPARATION TO THE APPLICATION TO THE SEYCHELLES SECURITIES DEALER LICENSE
The Seychelles FSA provides an official application form for the Securities Dealer License on its website. Mainly, the application must consist of the following parts:
- A signed cover letter including the reasons behind applying for the license and the enumeration of all the included documents
- A filled-out application form
- A relevant application fee (for the SDL, it is set at US$1,500)
- Certified copies of the individual documents of the applicant
- Filled out Personal Questionnaire Forms by each Director, Securities dealer representative applicants, compliance officer, and other key individuals of the company
- Filled out Personal Questionnaire Forms by all the Beneficiaries and Shareholders
- Proof of source of funds
- Proof of physical substance of the office
- A detailed Business Plan & Business Continuity Plan
These are the primary documents to include in a license application.
APPLICATION TO THE SEYCHELLES FOREX LICENSE
Once a licensee has completed all the aforementioned steps, the application form along with all the attached documents must be submitted to the Chief Executive Officer of the FSA in Victoria, the capital city of the Seychelles. Once the application fee is paid, the consideration process begins.
- The primary step is to review the application form and define whether it is filled out in full and according to all the requirements
- Next, the credible authority starts processing the application; this step might cause additional delays should the application be deemed incomplete, which is rarely the case if LegalBison assists the licensee with filling out the application form
- The FSA might request additional info or even schedule a meeting/call with the applicant during the consideration process, if necessary
Finally, the authority shall inform the applicant whether the licensing has been approved or not.
Take the first step — for free
Do you intend to get a Forex license in the Seychelles but don’t know where to start? Get in touch with LegalBison and schedule a free call for the initial review of your project and drafting of a working licensing solution. We get back to you in 24 business hours.
Investment Dealer License in the Seychelles
The basic requirements for obtaining an Investment Dealer License in the Seychelles are as follows:
- Incorporation of a local company with a registered address within the jurisdiction;
- Having at least one local representative with a Representative License;
- A completed application form;
- Payment of an application fee;
- Minimum paid-up capital of 50,000 USD;
- Detailed business plan;
- Personal questionnaires of the shareholders and beneficiaries;
- A cover letter from the applicant.
- Types of licenses
- Licensing process
- Company registration
- Taxation
- Obligations
Different types of Forex licenses in the Seychelles
There are 3 main types of licenses a future Forex broker can get in the Seychelles: the Securities Dealer License, the Securities Exchange License, and the Investment Advisor License. Even though these licenses have multiple adjacent activities, they are not completely identical.
The Securities Dealer License covers such activities as dealing in securities (including derivatives, futures, options, forwards, and CFDs), dealing with any types of transactions involving securities, any types of sale or disposition of securities, whether the terms of payment be on the margin, installment or otherwise, or managing the securities portfolio of another person with the right of holding their property.
The Securities Exchange License includes the same scope of services as the SDL while being primarily concentrated on marketplaces for trading securities, commodities, derivatives, and other financial instruments.
The Investment Advisor License is issued by the FSA to persons who intend to advise others on investment in securities, issue, analyse, or report specific securities, and manage a portfolio of securities of their client without holding the client’s property.
Process to get a Forex license in the Seychelles
The licensing process in the Seychelles starts with drafting all the required documents and forming the economic substance for the future company.
Another essential part of the procedure is paying the licensing fee: even though the Seychelles Forex license cost differs for each license type, Seychelles remains one of the most pocket-friendly jurisdictions for Forex licensing.
Once the applicant forms a company and pays the corresponding fee, the process of filling out the application form and attaching all the necessary documents to it. We have listed all the main document requirements above; however, the FSA secures the right to demand additional information from the applicant should it decide that the application package is incomplete.
In cases where LegalBison assisted clients with forming the company and drafting the paperwork according to the law of Seychelles, there have never been any objections to the provided information. Henceforth, we encourage you to contact us for a free preliminary consultation where you can get all the essential assistance for your specific project.
Company formation in the Seychelles for a Forex license
Building up a company is not the only thing that falls under the notion of company registration in the Seychelles. One of the jurisdiction’s main benefits is that it does not currently require applicants to have a local office in the country; instead, there is a requirement to have a “registered address”, as well as the address of the principal place of business, added to the SDL application form.
However, a certain degree of domestic presence still exists. For instance, according to the Consolidated Securities Act of 2007, the jurisdiction requires any securities dealing company registered in the Seychelles to have at least one local representative with a Representative License.
In addition, the document package requires audited Financial Statements of the applicant for the past 2 years except in cases where the applicant was incorporated within the last 12 months.
Taxation of Seychelles Forex companies
The Seychelles is known for its stable and favorable taxation policy.
Multiple Securities Dealers and Forex brokers resort to this license type mainly due to the moderate tax rate of 1.5% applicable to the gross income. Besides, there are no further taxes on dividends or interest included under the Seychelles SDL as long as all the substantial activity requirements are met by the Dealer.
The same business tax of 1.5% is applied to the Investment Advisor License, under identical conditions.
Obligations to fulfill with a Seychelles Forex license
As soon as the company is active, there are certain obligations to keep track of and fulfill as the Forex business develops. First and foremost, every Securities Dealer under the license must run their business in compliance with the Securities Act of 2007. According to the Act, a license holder must have sufficient and properly equipped premises for the conduct of business, competent employees to do so, and adequate automated systems to meet emergencies and security arrangements.
More to that, every license holder is required to fill out a Quarterly Returns Form, which can be found on the official website of the SFSA. The form includes, among other things, informing of any changes in the corporate or material form of the licensee, information on active clients, a geographical breakdown of clients, and a breakdown of transactions and trading statistics.
Alternative Forex Licenses to the Seychelles
Here is a curated list of alternative licenses and top jurisdictions
Forex License in Anjouan
on request-
Forex and other financial services
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Cheapest & fastest FX license
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Simple requirements
Forex License in SVG
on request-
Forex broker and exchange license
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Beneficial corporate conditions
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Fast set-up
Forex License in Mauritius
on request-
Give financial advice
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Manage portfolios
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Issue securities
Company Formation in Seychelles
from 790 €-
0% Tax
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No reporting
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Cheap and easy
About the Forex license in the Seychelles
Yes. A license is required for persons (individuals or companies) who intend to offer Forex trading services to other people. At the same time, trading one’s own funds does not require a permit.
Yes. It is important to acknowledge the technical and legal specificity of a Forex trading platform before jumping into this business. LegalBison gets you covered for the legal parts and we will be happy to advise and recommend trusted partners for the IT part of your project.
The licensing fee depends on the license type, as well as a particular project and the licensee’s circumstances. For more precise information, feel free to contact LegalBison at any time.
The main advantages of launching a Forex company in the Seychelles are relatively low licensing fees, fast application and consideration process, cost-effectiveness, and the absence of ongoing taxes.
Yes, certainly. For specific guidelines on how to start a Forex brokerage, you can always book a free consultation with LegalBison’s team.
Yes, the FSA of Seychelles has a long-standing reputation for being a reliable authority that, in addition, lists very flexible and moderate licensing requirements for potential applicants.
Yes, definitely. The Seychelles is home to multiple financial services provider companies, such as Forex brokerages, offshore banking entities, and crypto exchanges. Those companies have local registered offices in the Seychelles and comply with the country’s legal framework, which allows them to enjoy relative flexibility and moderate business tax rates.
Get your free consultation today
Request a free consultation today. Our experts will guide you into designing the best possible solution for your Seychelles Forex business. We tailor our advice for your project!
Our team of experienced professionals to assist you with any question and project pertaining to FinTech projects.
Experienced crypto and FinTech MLRO with company structuring and PI onboarding.
