South Africa FSCA Cat I & II FSP with Crypto + SARB FX

A Ready-Made Regulated Platform for South Africa

An opportunity to acquire 100% of a South African financial services company that holds an FSCA Category I and Category II (discretionary) licence with crypto assets on both categories, together with SARB Financial Surveillance approval to act as a foreign exchange intermediary (Treasury Outsourcing Company).

This is not an empty shell. The company was incorporated in 2019, licensed by the FSCA in November 2021 and built a profitable operating track record with audited annual financial statements, active banking and exchange relationships, and established regulatory reporting. It has recently ceased active trading and is offered debt-free at completion, giving a new owner a proven, regulator-known entity without inheriting the previous business.

Why It Matters

• Three authorisations in one entity: advice and intermediation (Category I), discretionary portfolio management (Category II) and SARB-approved FX intermediation. Obtaining these separately typically takes 12–24 months.
• Crypto on both categories: one of a limited number of FSPs able to advise on, intermediate and manage crypto asset portfolios under discretionary mandates.
• FX and cross-border flows: the TOC approval allows the company to facilitate foreign exchange for clients through an authorised dealer bank, a key building block for remittance, treasury and cross-border payment services.
• Operating history: a profitable trading record helps with bank onboarding, regulator engagement and partner due diligence, which new entities usually struggle with.

An Entry Point for Larger Operations in South Africa

South Africa is Africa’s most developed financial market, with a clear crypto asset framework under the FSCA and growing demand for digital assets, cross-border payments and wealth management. This entity can serve as the regulated core of a wider South African or regional build-out:

• Crypto exchanges and brokers: a licensed local entity to onboard South African clients and offer advice, intermediation and managed crypto portfolios
• Asset and wealth managers: discretionary mandates across crypto, derivatives, structured products and deposits
• Payments, FX and remittance groups: SARB-approved FX intermediation to support cross-border flows in and out of South Africa
• Stablecoin and tokenisation projects: a regulated distribution and client-facing layer for digital asset products, alongside banking partners and further licences as the business grows
• International groups: a fast, credible market entry with an existing Key Individual, Compliance Officer and FIC reporting in place

Licence Scope

Snapshot of approved products from the FSCA public register (company name and FSP number shared after NDA):

What Is Included

• 100% of the shares in a South African private company (Pty) Ltd
• FSCA Category I & II FSP licence, including crypto asset (CASP) authorisation
• SARB Financial Surveillance approval as a foreign exchange intermediary (TOC), operating through an authorised dealer bank
• FIC registration as an accountable institution
• Existing Key Individual and Compliance Officer
• Corporate bank account and crypto exchange account
• SARS registrations (income tax, VAT, PAYE) and audited annual financial statements

Not included: proprietary technology platform, client book or operational staff. The company is delivered debt-free, with seller warranties on liabilities at completion.

Good to Know

• The licence covers advice, intermediation and discretionary management of crypto assets. Issuing a stablecoin would require separate engagement with the SARB.
• The TOC approval does not allow the company to hold foreign currency or take its own FX positions; it facilitates client FX through an authorised dealer.
• Any change of ownership, Key Individual or Compliance Officer is subject to FSCA notification or approval.

Acquisition

Asking price: USD 180,000 for 100% of the shares, debt-free at completion.

The full due diligence pack (FSCA licence, SARB approval, FIC registration, company documents, audited financial statements and tax records) is shared with qualified buyers after an NDA and buyer verification (UBO identification and proof of funds).

Request Due Diligence Documents →

Next Steps

1. Share your intended business model, target clients and timeline
2. Sign the NDA and complete buyer KYC
3. Review the DD pack and have an intro call with the seller
4. Agree terms and sign the share purchase agreement
5. FSCA and SARB notifications, change of control and completion

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between Category I and Category II?

Category I allows advice and intermediary services. Category II allows discretionary management of client portfolios, meaning the FSP can make investment decisions on clients’ behalf within an agreed mandate.

What does the SARB TOC approval allow?

It authorises the company to act as a foreign exchange intermediary for clients through an authorised dealer bank. It does not allow the company to hold its own foreign currency positions.

Has the company traded before?

Yes. It has a profitable operating history with audited financial statements. It has recently stopped active trading and is sold debt-free, without the previous client book.

Can it issue a stablecoin?

Not under the current licence alone. It can advise on, intermediate and manage crypto assets, including stablecoins, for clients. Issuance would need separate regulatory engagement.

Do the Key Individual and Compliance Officer stay?

An existing Key Individual and Compliance Officer are in place. Transition arrangements are agreed with the seller during negotiations.