Crypto Asset Service Provider licence (South Africa)
The Crypto Asset Service Provider licence (an FSP authorisation category under FAIS, not a MiCA-equivalent regime) is issued by Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA) under Financial Advisory and Intermediary Services Act 37 of 2002. The official register lists 310 current holders. Ownership changes need the regulator's approval before completion.
At a glance
| Official name | Crypto Asset Service Provider licence (an FSP authorisation category under FAIS, not a MiCA-equivalent regime)1 |
|---|---|
| Also known as | CASP licence · FSCA CASP licence · FSCA crypto licence · FSP Category I licence · FSP Category I and II crypto licence · South African crypto asset service provider licence · South Africa crypto licence · FAIS crypto licence |
| Issued by | Financial Sector Conduct Authority |
| Jurisdiction | South Africa |
| Licence family | Virtual asset service provider (non-MiCA) |
| Legal basis | Financial Advisory and Intermediary Services Act 37 of 20022 |
| Passporting | Domestic only |
| Public register | official register1 |
| Current holders | 3101 |
What it lets you do
| Virtual asset exchange (FATF) | Exchanging virtual assets for fiat currency or for other virtual assets as a business, as defined in the FATF glossary. |
|---|---|
| Virtual asset transfer (FATF) | Conducting transactions that move virtual assets between addresses or accounts on behalf of another person. |
| Virtual asset safekeeping (FATF) | Safekeeping or administering virtual assets, or instruments enabling control over them, for another person. |
Where it is valid
Buying a company that already holds it
Notification only. A 'significant owner' under FSR Act s157 is anyone able to control or materially influence an FSP's business or strategy, presumed at the power to appoint 15% of the governing body or holding a qualifying stake. For an ordinary FSP (not a bank, insurer, market infrastructure or CIS manager), FSR Act s158 prior-approval does not apply; the FSP must instead notify the FSCA of significant ownership. A new key individual, however, needs FSCA fit-and-proper approval (FAIS s8(4)(b), form FSP4D) before acting, and non-compliance must be notified within 30 days.3
Ready-made companies holding this licence: see verified positions.
VASP in other countries
| Country | Licence | Regulator | Min. capital | Application fee | Statutory time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) | VASP licenceFinancial Services Permission with Virtual Asset Activities Endorsement | FSRA | USD 250,000 | USD 20,000 | n/a |
| Australia | VASP licenceRegistration as a virtual asset service provider (VASP) on the AUSTRAC Virtual Asset Service Provider Register (formerly the Digital Currency Exchange Register) | AUSTRAC | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Bermuda | Digital Asset Business Class F (Full) Licence | BMA | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Bermuda | Digital Asset Business Class M (Modified) Licence | BMA | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Bermuda | Digital Asset Business Class T (Test) Licence | BMA | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| British Virgin Islands | Virtual Assets Service Provider Registration | BVI FSC | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Cayman Islands | Virtual Asset Service Provider Licence | CIMA | n/a | KYD 5,000 | n/a |
| Cayman Islands | Virtual Asset Service Provider Registration | CIMA | n/a | KYD 1,000 | n/a |
| Dubai (VARA) | Virtual Asset Advisory Services Licence | VARA | AED 100,000 | AED 40,000 | n/a |
| Dubai (VARA) | Virtual Asset Broker-Dealer Services Licence | VARA | AED 600,000 | AED 100,000 | n/a |
| Dubai (VARA) | Virtual Asset Custody Services Licence | VARA | AED 600,000 | AED 100,000 | n/a |
| Dubai (VARA) | Virtual Asset Exchange Services Licence | VARA | AED 1,500,000 | AED 100,000 | n/a |
| Dubai (VARA) | Virtual Asset Lending and Borrowing Services Licence | VARA | AED 500,000 | AED 100,000 | n/a |
| Dubai (VARA) | Virtual Asset Management and Investment Services Licence | VARA | AED 500,000 | AED 100,000 | n/a |
| Dubai (VARA) | Virtual Asset Transfer and Settlement Services Licence | VARA | AED 500,000 | AED 40,000 | n/a |
| Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) | Financial Services Permission with Crypto Token Activities Endorsement | DFSA | USD 1,000,000 | USD 15,000 | n/a |
| El Salvador | Proveedor de Servicios de Activos Digitales (PSAD) registration | CNAD | USD 2,000 | USD 5,475 | ~0.9 mo |
| Germany | Qualified crypto custody licence | BaFin | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Ireland | Virtual Asset Service Provider AML/CFT Registration | CBI | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Mauritius | Virtual Asset Advisory Services (Class I) | FSC | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Mauritius | Virtual Asset Broker-Dealer (Class M) | FSC | n/a | MUR 2,000,000 | n/a |
| Mauritius | Virtual Asset Wallet Services (Class O) | FSC | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Mauritius | Virtual Asset Custodian (Class R) | FSC | n/a | MUR 5,000,000 | n/a |
| Mauritius | Virtual Asset Market Place (Class S) | FSC | n/a | MUR 6,500,000 | n/a |
| Seychelles | Virtual Asset Service Provider Licence / RegistrationVirtual Asset Service Provider Licence / Registration (Wallet Provider, Exchange, Broking, Investment Provider) under the Virtual Asset Service Providers Act 2024 | FSA | n/a | SCR 75,000 | n/a |
| South Africa | Crypto Asset Service Provider licenceCrypto Asset Service Provider licence (an FSP authorisation category under FAIS, not a MiCA-equivalent regime) | FSCA | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Switzerland | Financial intermediary / VASP SRO affiliation | FINMA | CHF 10,000,000 | CHF 1,600 | n/a |
| United Kingdom | Cryptoasset Business Registration (MLRs 2017) | FCA | n/a | GBP 11,260 | ~3 mo |
Values come from each licence's page, where every figure has its source.
Laws behind it
- Financial Advisory and Intermediary Services Act, 2002: Act No. 37 of 2002
Sources
- fanews.co.za: 43764 · secondary · retrieved 2026-09-24
- gov.za: financial advisory and intermediary services act · retrieved 2026-09-24
- moonstone.co.za: honesty and integrity requirement now applies to the signifi · secondary · retrieved 2026-09-24
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