Practice Areas > Investment Services, Fintech & Capital Markets > Blockchain & ICOs > Crypto Exchange Licensing
Overview
The enactment of the Malta crypto exchange licence framework under the ‘Virtual Financial Assets‘ Act (the ‘VFA Act‘) in November 2018 marked Malta’s rise to prominence as a leading blockchain jurisdiction intent on promoting the scalability of distributed ledger technology whilst ensuring a sufficient degree of investor protection, market integrity, financial stability and regulatory oversight.
Effectively, this placed Malta as one of the first jurisdictions in the world to comprehensively regulate all forms of crypto exchanges – thus giving exchange operators the legal certainty they desperately sought and affording investors a degree of stability and peace of mind.
A part of Malta’s cutting-edge trident of blockchain laws, the VFA Act, the Innovative Technology Arrangements & Services Act (‘ITAS Act‘) and the Malta Digital Innovation Authority Act (‘MDIA Act‘) complement each other in the attainment of a comprehensive technology-neutral blockchain regulatory framework, including a comprehensible and accessible framework for the acquisition of a Malta crypto exchange licence.
How we can help
Gonzi & Associates, Advcocates, has extensive experience in this field and is able to provide specialised assistance to your business at all stages of the Malta Crypto exchange licence application procedure, including:
- Malta Company incorporation and registration;
- Drafting of legal opinions on the legal nature of your service and technology employed to determine the applicable legal framework;
- Collection & preparation of documentation necessary for submission of an Malta crypto exchange licence application, including internal policies;
- Assistance in the drafting of the company’s business plan for submission with the licence application;
- Drafting website T&Cs relevant to your services;
- Assisting in the engagement of Key Functionaries, including VFA Agent, Systems Auditors, Money Laundering Reporting Officers (MLROs), director/s, auditors, and so on;
- Providing post-registration follow-up assistance, including advising on applicable annual compliance exercises;
- Registration of your trade mark in the Malta trade mark register and the register of the European Union Intellectual Property Office as necessary;
- Providing general legal advice and assistance as required.