Tangle Solutions
Financial, crypto and gaming licence routes
We help regulated businesses navigate payment institution, EMI, banking, MSB, crypto, gambling and trading licence authorisations — from route selection through to post-authorisation compliance.
Choose your licence route
Each route targets a different regulatory framework and client activity. Select the family that matches your business model to see authorisation requirements, timelines and compliance obligations.
Payment institution
Authorised to provide payment services across the EEA under PSD2. Covers account information, payment initiation, money remittance and card-based services.
Electronic money institution
Issues electronic money and provides associated payment services. Broader scope than a PI — the EMI may hold client funds as e-money floats.
Banking licence
Full credit institution authorisation under CRD5/CRR2. Enables deposit-taking, lending, FX and the widest range of payment and investment services.
Money services business
Covers currency exchange, money transmission and cheque cashing under local AML registration schemes. Common entry route in the UK, Canada and USA.
DLT and tokenisation route
Distributed-ledger and tokenisation routes for infrastructure, tokenised market rails and specialist DLT operating models. Separate from the crypto route catalogue.
Gambling operator licence
Permits online casino, sports betting, poker and lottery operations in regulated markets. Jurisdiction choices range from Malta and Gibraltar to Isle of Man.
Investment firm (trading)
MiFID II authorisation to operate trading platforms, execute client orders, deal on own account and provide investment advice on financial instruments.
Crypto routes (legacy + MiCA)
Full suite of individual crypto licence routes: VASP, MSB crypto, DLT provider, MiCA CASP and jurisdiction-specific registrations.
Key parameters across licence types
Use this matrix to compare fundamental parameters before selecting a route. Requirements vary by jurisdiction — treat figures as indicative starting points.
| Criterion | PI | EMI | Bank | MSB | CASP | Gambling | Trading |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hold client funds | Safeguarded | E-money float | Deposits | Limited | Custody only | Player accounts | Segregated |
| EEA/EU passport | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes (MiCA) | No | Yes |
| Crypto assets | No | No | Limited | Some regimes | Yes | No | Tokenised only |
| Typical timeline | 6–12 months | 9–18 months | 18–36 months | 2–6 months | 12–24 months | 3–12 months | 12–24 months |
| Minimum capital | €20k–€125k | €350k | €5 million+ | Varies | €50k–€150k | Varies | €75k–€730k |
All figures are indicative. Minimum capital thresholds, timelines and eligibility conditions vary by jurisdiction and supervisory authority.
What we do for our clients
We cover the full licensing lifecycle — from strategy through authorisation to ongoing compliance — across financial technology, regulated financial services, crypto and online gaming.
Licence strategy and route selection
We assess your business model, target jurisdictions and regulatory budget to recommend the optimal licence route before any application is filed.
Regulatory application management
End-to-end preparation of application packs, regulatory business plans, fit-and-proper submissions and ongoing correspondence with supervisory authorities.
AML/CFT programme design
Policies, procedures, risk assessments and transaction monitoring frameworks built to meet FATF standards and local regulatory expectations.
Corporate structure and SPV formation
Entity incorporation, shareholding design and group-level governance arrangements optimised for the target licensing jurisdiction.
Compliance officer and MLRO supply
Placement of qualified in-country compliance officers and MLROs where local residency or experience requirements must be satisfied.
Ongoing regulatory support
Periodic regulatory health-checks, reporting submissions, exam preparation and licence variation applications as your business grows.
A specialist licensing practice built for regulated industries
Tangle Solutions is a regulatory consultancy focused exclusively on financial technology, regulated financial services, crypto and online gaming licensing. We do not operate as a law firm — we work alongside legal counsel to deliver the operational and regulatory intelligence that application processes demand.
Exclusive focus on licensing
Every engagement we take on is a licensing mandate. We do not dilute attention across broader consulting disciplines.
Regulatory intelligence across jurisdictions
Our team tracks supervisory expectations in the EEA, UK, Isle of Man, Malta, Gibraltar, Canada, USA and emerging markets.
Integrated compliance and governance
We deliver the full stack: entity setup, AML programme, compliance officer placement, board advisory and post-authorisation monitoring.
No-nonsense timeline expectations
We provide realistic timelines derived from actual application experience, not marketing estimates. Clients know what to expect before they engage.
Measured by outcomes
Our practice is defined by the depth of our network, the breadth of our experience and the consistent results we deliver for clients across licensing categories.
Which licence do I need?
Find your starting point. Select the statement that best describes your intended activity and follow the pointer to the relevant route page.
I want to send money on behalf of clients in the EU.
Payment institution (PI) or EMI
I need to issue prepaid cards or e-wallets.
Electronic money institution (EMI)
I want to accept deposits and lend money.
Banking licence
I want to offer currency exchange or remittance outside the EU.
Money services business (MSB)
I want to operate a crypto exchange or custody service.
MiCA CASP or legacy crypto route
I want to operate an online casino or sportsbook.
Gambling operator licence
I want to run a trading platform or offer investment advice.
MiFID investment firm (trading)
How to use jurisdiction-specific route reviews
Use the route pages above to select the correct framework first. Jurisdiction-level reviews are then used to compare regulator posture, timing, substance, banking feasibility and ongoing operating burden within that framework.
Frequently asked questions
A Payment Institution (PI) authorises the holder to provide payment services such as payment initiation, account information and money remittance. An Electronic Money Institution (EMI) has a broader scope: it may also issue electronic money — prepaid balances held in e-wallets or on prepaid cards — and provide the associated payment services. EMIs are subject to higher minimum capital requirements (€350k vs €20k–€125k for PIs).
Not typically. Traditional payment services (PSD2) and crypto asset services (MiCA) operate under separate regulatory regimes. A PI or EMI authorisation does not cover the custody or exchange of crypto assets. Firms that require both will normally need separate authorisations — a PI/EMI and a MiCA CASP — and should consider whether a combined group structure can share compliance infrastructure.
Timelines vary significantly by jurisdiction and licence type. MSB registration can take 2–6 months; a PI or EMI authorisation in a well-resourced EU jurisdiction typically takes 6–18 months; a banking licence can require 18–36 months or more. Preparation quality is the single biggest factor under applicant control: incomplete packs or unqualified key function holders are the most common causes of delay.
Yes, in almost all cases. Regulators require the licensed entity to be incorporated in the jurisdiction, to have sufficient local substance (directors, compliance officers, operations), and to demonstrate genuine control and governance from within that jurisdiction. Brass-plate structures are routinely rejected. Tangle Solutions assists with entity formation and local substance planning as part of the licensing mandate.
Licensed entities are subject to ongoing prudential reporting, annual audited accounts, AML programme maintenance, incident reporting, regulatory capital monitoring, consumer protection obligations and periodic supervisory examinations. The specific requirements depend on the licence type and jurisdiction. We offer post-authorisation compliance support to help licensees meet these obligations.
No. Tangle Solutions is a regulatory consultancy, not a licensed financial institution or law firm. We advise and assist with the licensing process but cannot act as your regulated entity, legal representative or compliance officer. We work alongside qualified local counsel and, where required, can place experienced compliance officers into client entities.
Content on this page is informational only and does not constitute legal, regulatory or financial advice. Requirements and timelines vary by jurisdiction and are subject to change. Engage qualified legal and regulatory counsel before making any licensing decision.
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