Onboarding for Virtual Asset Service Providers

Here's a detailed onboarding for Virtual Asset Service Providers

Virtual Asset Service Providiers

Navigating the financial segment as a Virtual Currency Business

When financial institutions onboard a business, they need to understand certain key elements on a generic basis, including:

Business model and the nature and scope of your operations
What services and products does your business offer (P2P exchange, on ramp only, on & off ramp, do you offer your wallets or allow the crypto to be purchased into an external wallet, etc.)? What countries do you serve, and what type of customers (C2B, B2B, or both)?
Who are the people in control of and directing the business
Adequate identification of the natural persons controlling the business, whether as direct or indirect owners through other legal entities. In the case of high risk such as VASPs, it is recommended to identify up to those holding at least 10% of the shares.
How were the funds to open and run the business acquired
What is the founders' source of wealth? How did they generate the wealth used to start this business?
Who are your counterparties
In connection to point 1., whether you expect to transact funds with C2B or B2B customers and what jurisdictions. If B2B, what type of industries make up for your most significant customer segments?
How do you ensure that your compliance and security processes meet regulatory requirements?
How robust are your AML controls from your AML policy to the operational implementation, and whether an independent, expert person has been appointed responsible for AML?

Providing this information right from the start of your application will help ensure the review process goes as efficiently as possible.

Additional Due Diligence

In addition to the above, applicable to all businesses, VASPs are also subjected to additional due diligence reviews due to the nature of the regulated business and specific risks. Every VASP should ensure to provide the following information at the beginning of their application:

AML policy.
Copy of your license (when a license is required, or proof of registration as a VASP, when only registration is required in the given jurisdiction).
Risk assessment.

Some typical blockers include:

Your company is not properly licensed or still waiting for license approval.
Documents are in a foreign language and/or not notarised or from an official source (e.g., local government business register).
Your business structure is not adequately explained from the beginning.
Your compliance controls are not sufficient in line with regulatory requirements.
Your business has not appointed an independent expert as the responsible person for AML (instead, it is a director or beneficial owner).

Frequently Asked Questions

FAQ

What if my business is in the licensing process, and I need an operational account?In cases where your business is still in the building stage or awaiting the license, we encourage you to reach out to us and explain your roadmap. This applies to all licensed businesses, including VASPs, financial services, and gaming. If you need an account only for operational purposes, such as share capital, payments to providers related to the building or licensing activities, or salaries, we can discuss with you and provide a more limited account for these specific purposes.

Sign-up now for your Business Account

Narvi Payments Oy Ab is an Authorized Electronic Money Institution (EMI). Narvi’s EMI license is granted by the Finnish Financial Supervisory Authority (FIN FSA) with the registration number 3190214-6. Narvi’s license is Passportised to all European Union countries.

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