Get Licensed to Run a Forex, CFD or Securities Brokerage from Seychelles
The FSA Securities Dealer Licence lets you deal in securities, forex and CFDs - including crypto CFDs - from a respected mid-tier jurisdiction. We handle the company formation and the full FSA application process for you.
What is a Seychelles Securities Dealer Licence?
A Securities Dealer Licence (SDL) is issued by the Seychelles Financial Services Authority (FSA) under the Securities Act. It authorises a Seychelles company to deal in securities - as principal or agent - which in practice covers running forex and contract-for-difference (CFD) brokerages. Since FSA Circular No. 3 of February 2025, licensed dealers can also offer CFDs on cryptocurrencies without a separate VASP licence. It's one of the main reasons Seychelles has become a hub for retail brokers.
Why choose Seychelles for a brokerage licence?
Lower capital than tier-1 hubs - US$100,000 minimum paid-up capital, versus the much higher thresholds in the UK, Cyprus or Australia.
Broad permissions - forex, securities and CFDs (including crypto CFDs) under one licence.
Competitive tax - held through a Special Licence Company (CSL), a licensed dealer is taxed at 1.5% on worldwide income, with access to Seychelles' double-tax treaty network.
Reasonable timeline - the FSA typically processes a complete application in three to four months.
Perpetual licence - since 2025 the SDL no longer expires annually; it stays valid unless suspended, revoked or surrendered.
Who is it for?
Good fit:
forex and CFD brokers
proprietary trading firms
investment managers and advisers
fintechs adding regulated trading to their offering
Not a fit: anyone who can't meet the capital and local-substance requirements, or who needs a tier-1 badge (FCA, ASIC, CySEC) for institutional clients. If you're early-stage and testing an idea, an unlicensed IBC won't let you legally take client funds - the licence is mandatory for that, so talk to us before you commit.
What it actually costs - read this first
Most pages quote a single low number. We won't. Our engagement fee - incorporation, application assembly, review and FSA liaison - starts at US$15,000. That is a small fraction of the real cost of getting and running a licensed brokerage. You also need to budget for US$100,000+ in paid-up capital, local directors and a compliance officer, a physical office, professional indemnity insurance, an auditor and ongoing compliance. A realistic all-in budget for a live, compliant securities dealer runs from the mid-six figures into seven figures in the first year. If your budget is below that, the licence isn't the right step yet - and we'll tell you so.
What the FSA Requires
Minimum paid-up capital of US$100,000 (the FSA can require US$250,000+ for higher-risk models), held with an approved bank
At least two fit-and-proper directors; resident participation is expected for substance
A qualified compliance officer and a Money Laundering Reporting Officer (MLRO) - in-house or outsourced
A physical office in Seychelles and at least one licensed representative available at all times
Professional indemnity insurance
A detailed business plan, financial projections and an AML/CFT framework
Fit-and-proper documents for each director and shareholder: certified passport, CV, qualifications, police clearance, bank and professional references, and proof of source of capital
What's Included in Our Seychelles Securities Dealer Licence Package
What our engagement fee covers:
Incorporation of the Seychelles company (commonly structured as a CSL)
Registered office
Company name reservation and constitutional documents
Help preparing the business plan and financial projections
AML/CFT and compliance manual templates
Assembling and reviewing the full FSA application pack
Submitting and liaising with the FSA through to a decision
Coordinating fit-and-proper documentation for directors and shareholders
Introductions for compliance officer, MLRO and auditor where needed
Guidance on the capital deposit and bank requirements
Not included
the US$100,000 capital itself · local director and staff salaries · office lease · professional indemnity premiums · audit fees · the FSA's own application and annual fees · ongoing post-licence compliance.
How It Works
01.
Scoping call
We confirm your business model and products (forex / CFD / crypto CFD) and whether the SDL is the right licence for you.
02.
Company formation
We incorporate your Seychelles company and put the registered office in place.
03.
Application build
We prepare the business plan and AML/CFT framework, and gather fit-and-proper documents for every director and shareholder.
04.
Capital & substance
You deposit the US$100,000 capital and we help line up local directors, a compliance officer and an MLRO.
05.
FSA submission
We submit the complete application and respond to the regulator's questions on your behalf.
06.
Licence & launch
On approval (typically 3-4 months in), you appoint an auditor within 30 days and begin operating; we stay on to handle your renewals and filings.
Seychelles Securities Dealer Licence Pricing
Engagement fee
from
Incorporation, application assembly, review and FSA liaison.
You also budget for:
US$100,000+ paid-up capital
US$6,000/yr FSA annual fee
Local directors, compliance officer & MLRO
Physical office and professional indemnity insurance
Auditor and ongoing compliance
Realistic first-year all-in: mid-six to seven figures.
Pairs Well With
What Our Clients Say
Thinking about a Seychelles brokerage licence?
Book a free scoping call. We'll tell you honestly whether the Securities Dealer Licence fits your model and budget - and map the full cost and timeline before you commit a cent.