Estrella facilitates acquisitions of Seychelles VASP licensed companies — Financial Services Authority (FSA) registered virtual asset service providers operating under the Seychelles Virtual Asset Service Providers Act 2024.
A Virtual Asset Service Provider (VASP) license in Seychelles is issued by the Financial Services Authority (FSA) under the Virtual Asset Service Providers Act 2024. Seychelles became one of the first jurisdictions to implement a comprehensive standalone VASP framework, offering legal clarity for crypto exchanges, custodians, and related service providers.
Licensed Seychelles VASPs may provide cryptocurrency exchange services (fiat-to-crypto, crypto-to-crypto), virtual asset custody and wallet services, virtual asset transfer services, virtual asset administration and management, and participation in token issuances. The framework is technology-neutral and accommodates a wide range of digital asset business models.
Seychelles offers a category-based licensing approach, with classes covering exchange operators, wallet providers, brokers, advisors, and investment managers. Each class has its own minimum capital and operational requirements proportionate to the activity’s risk profile.
Acquiring a licensed Seychelles VASP provides immediate operational capability in a recognized offshore jurisdiction with international credibility. The fresh-application process can take 4–8 months including substrate document preparation, FSA review, fit-and-proper assessments of directors and beneficial owners, and post-approval set-up. Acquiring a pre-licensed entity bypasses this entire timeline.
Seychelles offers a highly competitive tax environment for licensed VASPs operating outside the local market — qualifying International Business Companies typically benefit from territorial taxation on foreign-source income. Combined with the country’s growing reputation as a credible crypto-friendly jurisdiction, this makes Seychelles particularly attractive for global crypto exchanges and custodians serving non-Seychelles customers.
Pre-licensed entities also come with established regulatory relationships, accepted compliance frameworks, and — critically in the crypto sector — banking and payment relationships that have already passed enhanced due diligence.
Seychelles VASPs are regulated under the Virtual Asset Service Providers Act 2024 and supervised by the Financial Services Authority (FSA). The framework is aligned with FATF Recommendation 15 on virtual assets and incorporates international best practices for AML/CFT compliance.
Key obligations include FSA licensing under the appropriate VASP class, fit-and-proper assessments of directors, senior management, and beneficial owners, implementation of comprehensive AML/CFT policies and procedures, appointment of a Money Laundering Reporting Officer (MLRO), customer due diligence including KYC for all clients, transaction monitoring and suspicious activity reporting, regular regulatory reporting to the FSA, and minimum capital requirements proportionate to the licensed activity (typically USD 50,000 to USD 500,000 depending on class).
The FSA conducts periodic supervisory reviews and reserves the right to inspect VASP operations, examine records, and impose corrective measures where necessary. The Seychelles framework is designed to be commercially practical while maintaining standards expected by international banking and payment partners.
Estrella maintains a curated portfolio of Seychelles VASP companies available for immediate acquisition. Each entity comes with complete FSA licensing documentation, AML/CFT compliance manuals, corporate records, and where applicable, banking relationship details.
Our team manages the full ownership transfer including FSA notification of beneficial ownership change, share transfers, directorship appointments, and compliance program updates. We also provide post-acquisition support during the transition period to ensure regulatory continuity.
For current availability, license class details, and pricing, please contact our acquisitions team for a confidential discussion.
Seychelles VASP acquisitions typically complete within 6–10 weeks. The process includes due diligence, share purchase agreement, FSA notification of change in control (which may require regulatory non-objection), corporate filings with the Seychelles Registrar, and compliance program transition. Timelines may vary based on the license class and operational complexity.
Depending on the license class held, a Seychelles VASP may perform virtual asset exchange (fiat and crypto pairs), custody and wallet services, transfer services, brokerage, advisory, and investment management activities. Estrella will confirm the specific scope of any entity under consideration.
Capital requirements vary by license class. Smaller-scope licenses (e.g., advisory) require approximately USD 50,000 in paid-up capital, while exchange and custody operators may require USD 200,000 to USD 500,000 or more. Acquired entities typically have capital already in place at the required level for their license class.
Yes, Seychelles welcomes foreign ownership of licensed VASPs with no nationality restrictions. The entity must maintain a registered office and registered agent in Seychelles, and at least one director may be required to be locally resident depending on the license class. Estrella can advise on specific governance requirements.
Seychelles operates a territorial tax system. International Business Companies that qualify under specific structures may benefit from favourable tax treatment on foreign-source income. Specific tax planning should be discussed with a qualified Seychelles tax advisor based on the entity’s operational structure and revenue sources.
Contact Estrella to explore available FSA-licensed VASP companies. Our team provides end-to-end support from initial assessment through ownership transfer and post-acquisition compliance continuity.
© 2024 Estrella | All Rights Reserved
