# Laws and regulations

Source page: https://protegra.io/licensing/laws/

Every licence rests on a law. The Atlas lists 44 of them, from EU regulations such as MiCA and PSD2 to national acts, each with a plain-English summary, the key articles, the licences it creates, and a direct link to the official full-text file checked by the Atlas.

## European Union

- [Directive 2011/61/EUAlternative Investment Fund Managers DirectiveThe AIFMD requires managers of alternative investment funds: hedge funds, private equity, real estate and other funds that are not UCITS: to be auth](https://protegra.io/licensing/laws/eu-aifmd-2011-61/)
- [Directive (EU) 2015/849Fourth Anti-Money Laundering Directive (as amended by the fifth, 2018/843)The fourth AML Directive, as amended by the fifth (Directive (EU) 2018/843), is the basis of the national anti-money-laundering laws in force today. T](https://protegra.io/licensing/laws/eu-amld-2015-849/)
- [Regulation (EU) 2024/1624Anti-Money Laundering Regulation (single rulebook)The AMLR replaces most of the anti-money-laundering directives with a directly applicable EU rulebook. It defines the obliged entities: including cre](https://protegra.io/licensing/laws/eu-amlr-2024-1624/)
- [Directive (EU) 2023/2225Consumer Credit Directive (CCD2)The second Consumer Credit Directive updates the EU rules on consumer lending and brings buy-now-pay-later and other small or short credits into scope](https://protegra.io/licensing/laws/eu-ccd2-2023-2225/)
- [Directive 2013/36/EUCapital Requirements DirectiveThe CRD governs who may take deposits and grant credit as a bank in the EU. It requires authorisation as a credit institution before starting business](https://protegra.io/licensing/laws/eu-crd-2013-36/)
- [Regulation (EU) No 575/2013Capital Requirements RegulationThe CRR sets the directly applicable prudential requirements for banks in the EU: how much and what kind of capital they must hold against credit, mar](https://protegra.io/licensing/laws/eu-crr-575-2013/)
- [Regulation (EU) 2022/2554Digital Operational Resilience ActDORA sets one set of rules on information and communication technology (ICT) risk for almost every regulated financial entity in the EU, including ban](https://protegra.io/licensing/laws/eu-dora-2022-2554/)
- [Regulation (EU) 2020/1503European Crowdfunding Service Providers RegulationThe ECSPR creates a single EU licence for platforms that match businesses seeking funding with investors, through loans or transferable securities, fo](https://protegra.io/licensing/laws/eu-ecspr-2020-1503/)
- [Directive 2009/110/ECDirective 2009/110/EC on the taking up, pursuit and prudential supervision of the business of electronic money institutionsDirective 2009/110/EC (EMD2) establishes the European Union regulatory framework for electronic money issuance, prudential supervision, and market con](https://protegra.io/licensing/laws/eu-emd2-2009-110/)
- [Regulation (EU) 2023/1114Markets in Crypto-Assets RegulationMiCA is the EU-wide regime for crypto-assets that are not already financial instruments, deposits or e-money. It requires issuers of asset-referenced](https://protegra.io/licensing/laws/eu-mica-2023-1114/)
- [Directive 2014/65/EUDirective 2014/65/EU on markets in financial instrumentsDirective 2014/65/EU (MiFID II) establishes the European Union regulatory framework for investment services, financial instruments trading, and financ](https://protegra.io/licensing/laws/eu-mifid2-2014-65/)
- [Regulation (EU) No 600/2014Regulation (EU) No 600/2014 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 15 May 2014 on markets in financial instruments and amending Regulation (EU) No 648/2012Regulation (EU) No 600/2014 (MiFIR) establishes uniform EU-wide rules governing financial markets trading, market transparency, and transaction report](https://protegra.io/licensing/laws/eu-mifir-600-2014/)
- [Directive (EU) 2015/2366Directive (EU) 2015/2366 on payment services in the internal marketDirective (EU) 2015/2366 (PSD2) establishes the European Union regulatory framework for payment services and electronic payments within the internal m](https://protegra.io/licensing/laws/eu-psd2-2015-2366/)
- [Regulation (EU) 2023/1113Transfer of Funds Regulation (travel rule)The Transfer of Funds Regulation applies the FATF travel rule in the EU. Payment service providers must send information on the payer and the payee wi](https://protegra.io/licensing/laws/eu-tfr-2023-1113/)
- [Directive 2009/65/ECUCITS DirectiveThe UCITS Directive is the EU framework for retail investment funds. Each UCITS fund and its management company must be authorised, the fund must foll](https://protegra.io/licensing/laws/eu-ucits-2009-65/)

## Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM)

- [Financial Services and Markets Regulations 2015Financial Services and Markets Regulations 2015The Financial Services and Markets Regulations 2015 (FSMR) provide the foundational regulatory framework for financial services in Abu Dhabi Global Ma](https://protegra.io/licensing/laws/ae-adgm-fsmr-2015/)

## Australia

- [Act No. 169, 2006 (Cth), registered compilation C2026C00274Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing Act 2006The AML/CTF Act 2006 (Cth) is Australia's primary anti-money-laundering and counter-terrorism-financing statute, administered by AUSTRAC. It obliges '](https://protegra.io/licensing/laws/au-aml-ctf-act-2006/)
- [Act No. 50, 2001 (Cth), registered compilation C2026C00382Corporations Act 2001The Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) is Australia's principal companies and financial-markets statute, administered by ASIC and Treasury. Chapter 7 ("Finan](https://protegra.io/licensing/laws/au-corporations-act-2001/)

## Bermuda

- [2018 : 28Digital Asset Business Act 2018The Digital Asset Business Act 2018 is Bermuda's licensing statute for digital asset business, administered by the Bermuda Monetary Authority. It rest](https://protegra.io/licensing/laws/bm-digital-asset-business-act-2018/)

## British Virgin Islands

- [No. 17 of 2022Virtual Assets Service Providers Act, 2022The Virtual Assets Service Providers Act, 2022 (No. 17 of 2022), passed by the House of Assembly on 24 November 2022 and assented to on 23 December 20](https://protegra.io/licensing/laws/vg-virtual-assets-service-providers-act-2022/)

## Canada

- [S.C. 2000, c. 17Proceeds of Crime (Money Laundering) and Terrorist Financing ActThe PCMLTFA (S.C. 2000, c. 17) is Canada's principal anti-money-laundering and counter-terrorism-financing statute. It establishes FINTRAC (the 'Centr](https://protegra.io/licensing/laws/ca-pcmltfa/)

## Cayman Islands

- [Law 14 of 2020 (2024 Revision)Virtual Asset (Service Providers) Act (2024 Revision)The Virtual Asset (Service Providers) Act (2024 Revision) is the Cayman Islands' framework for virtual asset business, administered by the Cayman Isla](https://protegra.io/licensing/laws/ky-virtual-asset-service-providers-act/)

## Curaçao

- [P.B. 2024, no. 157National Ordinance of 20 December 2024 laying down rules on games of chance (National Ordinance on Games of Chance)The LOK re-regulates all games of chance in Curaçao, replacing the National Ordinance on Offshore Games of Hazard (NOOGH). It establishes the Curaçao](https://protegra.io/licensing/laws/cw-national-ordinance-games-of-chance/)

## Dubai (VARA)

- [Law No. (4) of 2022Law No. (4) of 2022 Regulating Virtual Assets in the Emirate of DubaiLaw No. (4) of 2022 establishes the comprehensive legal framework regulating virtual assets across the Emirate of Dubai. Enforced by the Dubai Virtual](https://protegra.io/licensing/laws/ae-du-law-4-2022/)
- [Virtual Assets and Related Activities Regulations 2023Virtual Assets and Related Activities Regulations 2023The Virtual Assets and Related Activities Regulations 2023 establish Dubai's comprehensive regulatory framework governing virtual assets and related a](https://protegra.io/licensing/laws/ae-du-vara-regulations-2023/)

## El Salvador

- [Decreto Legislativo N.º 643Digital Assets Issuance Law (Legislative Decree No. 643)Decreto Legislativo No. 643 (Ley de Emisión de Activos Digitales), passed by the Legislative Assembly on 11 January 2023, is El Salvador's framework f](https://protegra.io/licensing/laws/sv-digital-assets-issuance-law/)

## Georgia

- [Law of Georgia No 6304-Is of 25 May 2012Law of Georgia on Payment System and Payment ServicesThe Law of Georgia on Payment System and Payment Services (No 6304-Is, 2012) sets the framework the National Bank of Georgia (NBG) uses to regulate an](https://protegra.io/licensing/laws/ge-law-on-payment-systems-and-services/)

## Hong Kong

- [Cap. 571 (enacted as Ord. No. 5 of 2002)Securities and Futures OrdinanceThe SFO is Hong Kong's principal statute for securities and futures markets, consolidating 10 earlier ordinances. Part II establishes the Securities a](https://protegra.io/licensing/laws/hk-securities-and-futures-ordinance/)

## Malaysia (Labuan)

- [Act 704Labuan Financial Services and Securities Act 2010Act 704 provides for the licensing and regulation of financial services and securities carried on in, from or through Labuan, Malaysia's international](https://protegra.io/licensing/laws/my-labuan-financial-services-and-securities-act-2010/)

## Malta

- [Cap. 583Gaming ActThe Gaming Act (Cap. 583), in force since 1 August 2018 (gaming-premises/device provisions from 1 January 2019), governs gaming services and products](https://protegra.io/licensing/laws/mt-gaming-act/)

## Mauritius

- [Act No. 21 of 2021The Virtual Asset and Initial Token Offering Services Act 2021The VAITOS Act empowers the Financial Services Commission (FSC) Mauritius to license and supervise virtual asset service providers (VASPs) and to regi](https://protegra.io/licensing/laws/mu-vaitos-act-2021/)

## Seychelles

- [Act 8 of 2007 (Cap. 208)Securities ActThe Securities Act, 2007 (Act 8 of 2007, Cap. 208) is Seychelles' core capital-markets statute. As downloaded from fsaseychelles.sc, the text is capti](https://protegra.io/licensing/laws/sc-securities-act-2007/)

## Singapore

- [Act 2 of 2019 (2020 Rev. Ed.)Payment Services Act 2019The Payment Services Act 2019 establishes Singapore's licensing regime for payment service providers under the Monetary Authority of Singapore. It cov](https://protegra.io/licensing/laws/sg-payment-services-act-2019/)

## South Africa

- [Act No. 37 of 2002Financial Advisory and Intermediary Services Act, 2002The FAIS Act (No. 37 of 2002) is South Africa's core law regulating the rendering of financial advice and intermediary services to clients. It require](https://protegra.io/licensing/laws/za-fais-act-2002/)

## Switzerland

- [SR 955.0Federal Act of 10 October 1997 on Combating Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing (Anti-Money Laundering Act, AMLA)The Anti-Money Laundering Act (AMLA, SR 955.0) governs the prevention and detection of money laundering, terrorist financing, and the concealment of c](https://protegra.io/licensing/laws/ch-anti-money-laundering-act/)
- [SR 952.0Federal Act of 8 November 1934 on Banks and Savings Banks (Banking Act, BankA)The Federal Act on Banks and Savings Banks (BankA, SR 952.0) provides the primary statutory foundation for banking regulation, deposit-taking, and pru](https://protegra.io/licensing/laws/ch-banking-act/)
- [SR 954.1Federal Act of 15 June 2018 on Financial Institutions (Financial Institutions Act, FinIA)The Federal Act on Financial Institutions (FinIA, SR 954.1) establishes a unified Swiss regulatory architecture governing non-banking financial instit](https://protegra.io/licensing/laws/ch-financial-institutions-act/)

## United Arab Emirates

- [DIFC Law No. 1 of 2004Regulatory Law 2004The Regulatory Law establishes the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA) as the DIFC's financial regulator, sets its objectives, board structure,](https://protegra.io/licensing/laws/ae-difc-regulatory-law-2004/)
- [Federal Decree-Law No. (6) of 2025Federal Decree-Law No. (6) of 2025 Regarding the Central Bank, Regulation of Financial Institutions and Activities, and Insurance BusinessThis decree-law re-establishes the Central Bank of the UAE's mandate and consolidates regulation of banks, insurance, payments and financial market in](https://protegra.io/licensing/laws/ae-federal-decree-law-6-2025/)

## United Kingdom

- [S.I. 2011/99The Electronic Money Regulations 2011The Electronic Money Regulations 2011 (SI 2011/99) form the primary statutory framework governing electronic money issuance, prudential supervision, a](https://protegra.io/licensing/laws/gb-electronic-money-regulations-2011/)
- [2000 c. 8Financial Services and Markets Act 2000The Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (FSMA 2000) provides the comprehensive statutory foundation for financial regulation, financial markets, a](https://protegra.io/licensing/laws/gb-fsma-2000/)
- [S.I. 2017/692The Money Laundering, Terrorist Financing and Transfer of Funds (Information on the Payer) Regulations 2017The Money Laundering, Terrorist Financing and Transfer of Funds (Information on the Payer) Regulations 2017 form the core of the United Kingdom's anti](https://protegra.io/licensing/laws/gb-money-laundering-regulations-2017/)
- [S.I. 2017/752The Payment Services Regulations 2017The Payment Services Regulations 2017 (SI 2017/752) form the primary statutory framework governing payment services, payment systems access, and payme](https://protegra.io/licensing/laws/gb-payment-services-regulations-2017/)

## United States

- [31 U.S.C. 5311-5314, 5316-5336 (Pub. L. 91-508, as amended); implementing rules at 31 CFR Chapter XBank Secrecy ActThe Bank Secrecy Act (formally the Currency and Foreign Transactions Reporting Act of 1970), codified mainly at 31 U.S.C. 5311-5336, is the foundation](https://protegra.io/licensing/laws/us-bank-secrecy-act/)

Last verified: · Author: Danil Marmysh · Reviewed by Anastasia Sidorenkova · © Protegra. Data: CC BY 4.0, cite "Protegra Licensing Atlas". Not legal advice.