Fintech licensing in South Africa
In South Africa, fintech and crypto licences are issued by the Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA). The Atlas covers 4 licence types there, in 2 families: investment firm and virtual asset service provider. Each licence page lists its legal basis, fees and decision period with sources.
Financial regulators in South Africa
Fintech licences available in South Africa
Investment firm / broker-dealer
- IF · South Africa
Financial Services Provider licence - Category I (advice and/or intermediary services, non-discretionary, incl. crypto assets)
FSCA
- IF · South Africa
Financial Services Provider licence - Category II (discretionary FSP)
FSCA
- IF · South Africa
Over-the-Counter Derivative Provider (ODP) authorisation under the Financial Markets Act
FSCA
Virtual asset service provider (non-MiCA)
Main laws
- Financial Advisory and Intermediary Services Act, 2002: Act No. 37 of 2002
Path to market
Start by mapping the activities you plan to offer onto the licence types above; the activity pages show which licence permits each one. The application goes to FSCA, together with the capital, governance and AML documentation the licence page lists.
Need this licence, or a different one?
Tell us your business model and target markets. We check the fit before you spend on an application, then handle the licence end to end.
A free preliminary assessment: we check your business model against the licence before you spend on an application. We handle this licence and any other fintech licence, including jurisdictions the Atlas does not cover yet.