Brokers are reassessing their jurisdictional strategies as regulatory compliance becomes more burdensome and costly across traditional financial centres. Nicos Kezarides, CEO of A.P. Standard Chartered Corporate Services, recently discussed how licensing requirements have evolved, making market entry more challenging particularly in established jurisdictions like Cyprus.
Obtaining a Cyprus licence now requires firms to build out substantial operational infrastructure before approval, with costs exceeding one million and timelines stretching up to two years. This has prompted some brokers to question whether maintaining Cypriot authorisation remains commercially viable. Additional hurdles include mandatory local director appointments and thin talent pools that complicate ongoing compliance obligations across multiple markets.
The UAE has emerged as an increasingly popular alternative for regulated firms. Kezarides attributes this to regulators adopting a pragmatic, iterative approach rather than attempting perfection from the outset. Faster licensing processes and more practical regulatory frameworks have successfully drawn brokers, talent, and capital away from more established centres.
A.P. Standard Chartered positions itself as a one-stop corporate services provider covering licensing, legal, compliance, accounting, and auditing across Cyprus, Seychelles, Hong Kong, Mauritius, and the UAE. By consolidating these functions internally rather than relying on external partners, the firm claims to reduce both costs and timeline pressures for brokers establishing new operations.
The shifting landscape affects FX and CFD brokers, payment businesses, and crypto operators seeking international expansion or reconsidering existing licence portfolios.
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FXnCO Insight
** Brokers must now weigh regulatory prestige against operational practicality, with emerging jurisdictions challenging Europe’s traditional dominance through speed and adaptability rather than legacy credibility alone.
Source: Finance Magnates