Incorporation

Setting up a company for a payment business

The company structure decides which licences you can apply for, which banks will talk to you and how you are taxed. This subsection lists corporate service providers and law firms that handle fintech company formation — for PSPs, exchangers, crypto projects, iGaming operators and payment teams.

What is usually included

• Choice of jurisdiction and legal form, registration with the companies registry.
• Registered address and company secretary; nominee directors or shareholders where lawful.
• Tax registration, VAT or economic substance filings.
• Annual maintenance: renewals, filings, accounting coordination.
• Introductions to banks or EMIs for the business account.

Choosing a jurisdiction

• Licensing plan: if you need an EMI, VASP or gaming licence, the company often must be in that country or have local substance there — see payment licensing, VASP licensing and gaming licensing.
• Banking access: offshore entities can be quick to register but harder to bank.
• Tax and substance: headline tax rates matter less than substance rules and treaties.
• Reputation with partners: acquirers and PSPs look at the jurisdiction during onboarding.
• Running cost: annual fees, local directors, audit requirements.

Frequently compared locations

UK and Ireland for operating companies; Cyprus, Malta, Lithuania and Estonia for EU access; UAE free zones and Hong Kong for regional hubs; Singapore for APAC; the BVI, Seychelles and Marshall Islands for holding structures; US LLCs for selling to American customers. Each comes with different banking and compliance consequences.

Using this page

Filter by country — for example UK, UAE, Cyprus, Hong Kong or Estonia — and compare packages in Offers. After registration you will likely need accounting & audit and compliance outsourcing. Nominal hub does not provide legal or tax advice; post a request to get quotes.