Virtual asset transfer (FATF)
Conducting transactions that transfer virtual assets between addresses or accounts on behalf of clients internationally requires a virtual asset service provider (VASP) licence or a money transmitter registration under the FATF Glossary (iii). These national regimes enforce the FATF travel rule, requiring verifiable originator and beneficiary data transmission alongside qualifying blockchain transactions.
Definition
Conducting transactions that move virtual assets between addresses or accounts on behalf of another person.
- FATF, Glossary: virtual asset service provider (iii): official text
Which licence you need
Licence families that typically permit this activity:
- VASP · Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM)
Financial Services Permission with Virtual Asset Activities Endorsement
FSRA
- VASP · Australia
Registration as a virtual asset service provider (VASP) on the AUSTRAC Virtual Asset Service Provider Register (formerly the Digital Currency Exchange Register)
AUSTRAC
- VASP · Bermuda
Digital Asset Business Class F (Full) Licence
BMA
- VASP · Bermuda
Digital Asset Business Class M (Modified) Licence
BMA
- VASP · Bermuda
Digital Asset Business Class T (Test) Licence
BMA
- VASP · British Virgin Islands
Virtual Assets Service Provider Registration
BVI FSC
- VASP · Cayman Islands
Virtual Asset Service Provider Registration
CIMA
- VASP · Dubai (VARA)
Virtual Asset Transfer and Settlement Services Licence
VARA
- VASP · Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC)
Financial Services Permission with Crypto Token Activities Endorsement
DFSA
- VASP · El Salvador
Proveedor de Servicios de Activos Digitales (PSAD) registration
CNAD
- VASP · Ireland
Virtual Asset Service Provider AML/CFT Registration
CBI
- VASP · Mauritius
Virtual Asset Wallet Services (Class O)
FSC
- VASP · Seychelles
Virtual Asset Service Provider Licence / Registration (Wallet Provider, Exchange, Broking, Investment Provider) under the Virtual Asset Service Providers Act 2024
FSA
- VASP · South Africa
Crypto Asset Service Provider licence (an FSP authorisation category under FAIS, not a MiCA-equivalent regime)
FSCA
- VASP · Switzerland
Financial intermediary / VASP SRO affiliation (Finanzintermediär nach Art. 2 Abs. 3 GwG / AMLA)
FINMA
- VASP · United Kingdom
Cryptoasset Business Registration (MLRs 2017)
FCA
Where it can be licensed
Frequently asked questions
What threshold triggers the FATF travel rule for virtual asset transfers?
FATF standards recommend enforcing the travel rule for virtual asset transfers exceeding prescribed de minimis thresholds. However, several countries have removed minimum thresholds entirely, applying full information exchange requirements to all transactions.
How do non-EU jurisdictions regulate cross-border crypto remittances?
Cross-border crypto transfers are typically regulated under national money transmission laws or dedicated virtual asset regulations. In the United States, for example, providers must obtain state-level money transmitter licences alongside federal FinCEN registration.
Sources
- FATF Glossary: virtual asset service provider (iii) · retrieved 2026-09-24
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