This post will consider why card issuers and certain fintech businesses have compliance requirements and how those KYC and AML rules translate to transaction monitoring rules within the core system or compliance system. The focus of this post is on anti-money laundering and related transaction rules. Know Your Customer (KYC) and Anti-Money Laundering (AML) rules are…

Most startups focus on tech, testing, and finding customers in the early days. But, a complete compliance program should be the first thing a fintech, crypto, or credit card issuing business should build because this governs onboarding and nearly all aspects of the business. Also, your compliance program and documents are the keys to maintaining good…

The dynamic business landscape in Mexico is offering fertile ground for both FinTech and crypto businesses. Driven by a potent mix of regulatory evolution, market potential, and consumer demand, Mexico has emerged as one of Latin America’s hotspots for these disruptive technologies. Here’s a look at the vibrant business climate in Mexico for FinTech and…

One of the most difficult aspects of life as an expat is banking. This is especially true for Americans who are persona non grata at most banks around the world. Plus, we have trouble opening and maintaining our US accounts if we are not in the country often. Here’s what expats need to know about…

In this post, I’ll explain why I believe Bermuda is the best jurisdiction for an international bank in nowdays and what’s required to build an international bank in Bermuda. This is a relatively new jurisdiction, with only one completed case as of this writing. But, I expect big things from Bermuda and for them to…

The best “pure offshore” offshore bank license jurisdiction in nowdays is St. Lucia. Here’s what you need to know about opening an offshore bank in St. Lucia, including the capital, operations, correspondent accounts, etc.  If you’re thinking about opening a bank in St. Lucia, this is a must-read. I say that St. Lucia is the best…

The Puerto Rico Office of the Commissioner of Financial Institutions (OCIFI) is expected to implement new international banking regulations in 2024. The regulations are designed to improve financial transparency and to prevent money laundering.Some of the key provisions of the new regulations include: Enhanced customer due diligence: Banks will be required to conduct more extensive customer…

In this post, I’ll look at setting up a Swiss Crypto Exchange or fintech business using a fintech license or as a Qualified Intermediary. It is also possible to operate as a full bank in this capacity, but this is beyond the scope of this article.  Introduction Operating a cryptocurrency exchange in Switzerland involves dealing…