APPLY FOR A VASP LICENSE
IN THE BAHAMAS

License Application Process

Following the transposition of the Digital Assets and Registered Exchanges (DARE) Act into Law in the Bahamas, a legal definition for digital assets and a regulatory framework was established for digital asset businesses and activities. Under the Act a person or entity intending to provide a digital asset business service must apply to the Securities Commission of the Bahamas for registration.

The applicant must complete the relevant forms (forms 1, 2 and 3), accompanied by:

A detailed business plan,
Evidence that the Applicant is in good standing,
Certified copy of the applicant’s Memorandum of Association or equivalent
Schedule of proposed fees for services rendered by the business,
Evidence of the applicant’s registration with any other regulatory authority,
Any other information or document as may be required by the Commission,
The application fees.
A Legal Entity must also provide the commission, for their approval, a copy of the rules of the exchange for admission to listing of digital assets on the exchange.

Upon filing the complete application for registration, the commission may investigate the financial and business experience, responsibility and professional conduct of the Applicant.

PROCESS DARE

FEES & EXPENCES DARE

License Fees and Expenses

Digital Token Exchange $5,000.00

Digital Token Exchange registration fee $15,000.00

All other digital asset businesses $3,000.00

Capital Requirements

The commission will prescribe the minimum amount of capital which must be maintained by the registrant at all times. The commission may prescribe requirements for specific categories of registrants, which may be dependent on the following factors:

The registrant’s total assets
The registrant’s total liabilities
The actual and expected volume of digital asset business activity
Whether the registrant is already licensed or regulated by the commission under the laws of the Bahamas, and whether the registrant is in good standing in such capacity
The amount of leverage
The registrant’s liquidity position
The financial protection that the registrant provides for its customers through a trust account or bond
The types of entities the registrant will service
The types of services or products that will be offered

What Can FAI Comply do for Your Business?

We undertake the preparation and submission of applications for DARE licensing and provide post-submission support leading up to the granting of the license, which authorises companies to provide investment services in accordance to applicable EU laws and regulations. Services include:

Overall coordination of services and management of the process to completion

Consulting on the Virtual Asset Service Provider (VASP) structure

Due diligence requirements

Assistance with the completion and submission of application forms to the Securities Commission

Review and collection of all necessary documentation from the Company to support the application process

Creation of required documents to accompany the application (AML policies and procedures, business plan, Business Continuity manual, Operational manual and job descriptions documents)

Application follow-up during the process of assessment by the Commission