South Africa

Licensed Companies
In South Africa

South Africa was among the first to bring crypto assets under a financial-services licence, which makes an FSCA-licensed entity a regulated African base rather than a registration.

2

positions listed today

4–12

weeks to source and transfer, typically

3

licence types covered here

A.I. Overview

A South African FSP licensed under FAIS — including one authorised for crypto assets — transfers with the company, and the FSCA is notified of the new shareholders rather than asked first. The buyer's key individual, however, needs FSCA approval before taking the role.

RegulatorFinancial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA), provincial gambling boards under the National Gambling Board
LicenceFSP licence with crypto asset authorisation (Category I) · Category II discretionary FSP licence · Provincial bookmaker / online betting licence
ReachDomestic market only
Transfer window4–12 weeks
Change of controlPrior regulator approval required
Last verified2026-09-29
Know this first

The licence depends on its key individual. Bookmaker licences are provincial and cannot be assigned: the provincial board approves any buyer of 5% or more, and online casino games are not what a betting licence permits.

Available now

What Is On The Shelf In South Africa

Each position was verified before it was published. The price is what you pay us, and it includes the transfer work.

South Africa Sourced to order

Category II discretionary FSP licence

Regulator: Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA)

Not in stock right now — we source it through the partner network. The final figure depends on whether the resident director stays and whether the bank account is re-papered.

No confirmed market range yet — we quote after sourcing.

Partner network Price on request
Ask for price ⟶
South Africa Sourced to order

Provincial bookmaker / online betting licence

Regulator: provincial gambling boards under the National Gambling Board

Not in stock right now — we source it through the partner network. The final figure depends on whether the resident director stays and whether the bank account is re-papered.

No confirmed market range yet — we quote after sourcing.

Partner network Price on request
Ask for price ⟶
Buy or build

Ready-Made Or From Scratch In South Africa?

Buying the entity shortens the queue, not the diligence. Getting the licence from zero is cheaper in fees and far longer in months — the trade is time against cost, and the numbers are on the jurisdiction page.

Ready-made

  • Live in 4–12 weeks
  • Licence already granted
  • Priced as an asset, audit included
  • You inherit the history — which is why we audit it

From scratch

  • Months, not weeks
  • Outcome not guaranteed
  • Lower cash cost, higher time cost
  • Clean history by construction
Questions

Questions Buyers Ask First

01How long does a transfer in South Africa actually take?
Typically 4–12 weeks from signed terms to the entity being yours. The variable is the regulator, not the paperwork: the change of control is assessed before completion, and that assessment sets the calendar.
02What does Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA) check about the buyer?
Fitness and propriety of the incoming owners and managers, the source of the funds, and whether the business model after the sale still matches what was authorised. A clean, documented answer to those three shortens the process more than anything else.
03Is a company in South Africa usable outside it?
Only within its home market, with cross-border work handled case by case. If you need reach across the EU, look at a jurisdiction whose licence passports instead.
04What if nothing is in stock right now?
Then the card says so. We source against a written brief through the partner network, quote a real figure once a position is found, and never claim to hold a company we do not. The first buyer who asks to see documents is the last one who would come back otherwise.

Ask about South Africa

Tell us what the company has to be able to do and when you want to be live. We come back with availability, a real price and the transfer timetable.

Open your shortlist ⟶ office@protegra.io