Who we advise, and why the regulatory complexity differs by institution type.
Each institution type carries a distinct regulatory surface area — different licensing regimes, AML obligations, banking access challenges, and documentation standards. Select your segment below.
Select your institution type
Tap a card to exploreMiCA has changed everything for digital asset institutions.
Are you ahead of it, or scrambling?
The Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation imposes licensing, governance, capital, and custody obligations on VASPs and CASPs operating within the EU. For many institutions, it also triggers a banking problem — because banks have their own internal policies on digital asset clients that run well ahead of formal regulatory obligations.
Key challenges & advisory areas
MiCA Transition & Authorisation
Existing operators must transition under MiCA's grandfathering provisions or apply for fresh authorisation. The documentation requirements are substantial. The timelines are finite.
Custody & Safeguarding Obligations
MiCA Article 70 imposes specific custody arrangements for crypto-asset service providers holding client assets. Structuring these correctly requires both regulatory and banking analysis.
AML/KYC for Digital Assets
FATF Travel Rule, 6AMLD attribution obligations, and the enhanced due diligence triggers for digital asset transactions require bespoke compliance programmes — not generic AML policies.
Institutional Banking Access
Most EU and UK banks apply internal de-risking policies to VASPs and CASPs beyond what regulators require. Our introductions are to banking partners who have been pre-positioned to receive digital asset clients.
Banking rail access
Why banks de-risk VASPs
Banks face regulatory scrutiny for their VASP and CASP client relationships even when those clients are fully licensed. The compliance burden of servicing digital asset institutions — enhanced due diligence, transaction monitoring, reporting obligations — causes most banks to apply informal caps or restrictions. We navigate this through pre-positioned relationships with banking partners who have already made the policy decision to serve digital asset institutions.
Common friction points
- Enhanced KYC / CDD requirements on the bank side
- Internal approval thresholds for crypto-adjacent revenue
- AML correspondent bank pressure on digital asset accounts
- Board-level risk appetite limitations on VASP exposure
Banking rails & access by institution type.
Payment infrastructure access is not uniform. The same rail can be directly available, accessible only through a correspondent sponsor, restricted to case-by-case approval, or entirely unavailable depending on your institution type and jurisdiction. Select a segment above to highlight its access profile.
| Payment Rail | Jurisdiction | Settlement | VASPs & CASPs | EMIs & PSPs | Cross-Border | Processors | Reg Fintechs | Banks | Detail |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SEPA SCTSEPA Credit Transfer | EEA + UK | Batch / T+1 | Indirect | Indirect | Indirect | Indirect | Indirect | Direct | |
| SEPA Inst.SEPA Instant Credit Transfer | EEA | Real-time / 10s | Restricted | Indirect | Indirect | Indirect | Restricted | Direct | |
| TARGET2 / T2Trans-European Automated RTGS | Eurozone | RTGS / Intraday | — | — | — | — | — | Direct | |
| SWIFTSociety for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication | Global | Messaging / RTGS | Restricted | Indirect | Indirect | Indirect | Restricted | Direct | |
| Faster PaymentsUK Faster Payments Scheme | UK | Near real-time | Restricted | Indirect | Indirect | Indirect | Indirect | Direct | |
| CHAPSClearing House Automated Payment System | UK | RTGS / Same-day | — | Restricted | Restricted | — | — | Direct | |
| BACSBankers' Automated Clearing Services | UK | Batch / 3-day | Restricted | Indirect | — | Indirect | Indirect | Direct | |
| Nostro / VostroCorrespondent Banking Account Network | Global | Bilateral | Restricted | Indirect | Indirect | Indirect | Restricted | Direct | |
| Card SchemesVisa / Mastercard Principal Membership | Global | Settlement T+1–T+2 | — | Indirect | — | Direct | Restricted | Direct |
Click any row to expand advisory notes. Highlighted columns reflect the currently selected institution segment.
Identify your regulatory position.
Start with a free assessment.
We assess your institution's specific regulatory obligations, identify gaps, and provide an honest evaluation of your banking access position — all at no cost, no commitment. We respond within one business day.