About Services Enterprise Solutions Financial Institutions Private Clients Fintech Solutions UAE Offering Insights Case Studies Jurisdiction Finder Contact

Financial Institutions

The Premier Virtual Asset Trading Licence in Mauritius

The Class M Virtual Asset Broker-Dealer licence is the most commercially significant virtual asset licence in Mauritius, authorising the buying and selling of virtual assets on behalf of clients, operation of trading platforms, and provision of exchange services.

← Back to Financial Institutions

Overview

What is a Class M Virtual Asset Broker-Dealer?

Mauritius's Virtual Asset and Initial Token Offerings Act 2021 (VAITO Act) establishes a comprehensive licensing framework for virtual asset service providers. The Class M licence is the most sought-after category, permitting the holder to operate as a broker-dealer in virtual assets, run a virtual asset exchange or trading platform, and provide custody integrated with brokerage services.

It is the natural licence for entities building regulated cryptocurrency exchanges, OTC digital asset desks, or virtual asset trading platforms targeting professional and institutional clients. Mauritius's Class M licence has attracted significant international interest as a credible alternative to less regulated jurisdictions, combining genuine regulatory substance with commercial flexibility.

Aurevya advises Class M applicants from initial business model assessment through FSC application, technology review, AML/CFT programme design, and operational setup, with a practical understanding of both the regulatory requirements and the commercial realities of building a virtual asset trading operation.

VAITO Act
2021, FSC Licensed
Regulated under Mauritius's purpose-built virtual asset legislation, providing a credible, internationally recognised regulatory framework for virtual asset service providers.
USD 250,000
Minimum Stated Capital
Reflecting the commercial significance and risk profile of broker-dealer operations in virtual asset markets, a capital requirement calibrated to the scope of permitted activities.
4–6
Months, Application Timeline
From initial engagement to licence grant, subject to FSC processing, technology review, and the completeness of the application package submitted.

Scope of Authority

Key Features

Virtual Asset Trading
Authorised to buy and sell virtual assets, including cryptocurrencies and other digital assets, on behalf of clients and on a proprietary basis, across both retail and institutional client categories subject to FSC conditions.
Exchange Operations
The Class M licence permits operation of a virtual asset exchange, providing a regulated platform for the trading of virtual assets, order matching, and price discovery, under direct FSC oversight and technology review.
OTC Desk Authority
The broker-dealer structure accommodates OTC (over-the-counter) trading desks, providing bespoke virtual asset execution services to institutional and professional counterparties outside the order book of a formal exchange.
Client Brokerage
Authorised to act as agent or principal in virtual asset transactions for clients, receiving client orders, executing trades, and managing the client relationship within the FSC's conduct of business framework for virtual asset service providers.
Custody Integration
The Class M licence accommodates custody of virtual assets integrated with brokerage services, enabling the holder to maintain client virtual asset balances securely within the regulated entity, subject to FSC custody standards.
FSC Oversight
Full VAITO Act regulatory oversight, including technology platform review, AML/CFT supervision, and ongoing reporting, providing institutional counterparties and clients with confidence in the regulatory standing of the Mauritius virtual asset broker-dealer.

Process

How It Works

01
Business Model Assessment
We assess the proposed virtual asset business, target virtual assets, client segments, trading model (exchange, OTC, or both), custody arrangements, and geographic markets, confirming the Class M licence as the appropriate regulatory vehicle and scoping the application requirements.
02
Technology Review
The FSC scrutinises the technology platform of Class M applicants, trading engine, wallet infrastructure, security architecture, and cybersecurity controls. We prepare the technology documentation for FSC review and identify any platform enhancements required before application.
03
FSC Pre-Application
Where appropriate, we facilitate a pre-application engagement with the FSC, presenting the virtual asset business model and obtaining regulatory guidance before the formal application is submitted, reducing the risk of material queries during the review period.
04
Formal Application
Preparation and submission of the complete VAITO Act Class M application, business plan, technology overview, AML/CFT programme, KYC documentation, key personnel fit-and-proper submissions, and financial projections.
05
IT & Compliance Review
Active management of the FSC review, including technology assessment queries, AML/CFT programme review, and compliance framework evaluation. We maintain regular engagement with the FSC throughout the assessment period to ensure timely progress.
06
Licence Grant
Upon licence grant, we coordinate operational readiness, final platform configuration, client onboarding procedures, and compliance programme activation, ensuring the entity is ready to begin regulated virtual asset trading operations from day one.

Practical Considerations

Requirements & Timeline

Regulatory Requirements

  • Minimum stated capital of USD 250,000 fully paid up
  • AML/CFT programme aligned with FATF virtual asset guidance
  • Qualified Compliance Officer approved by the FSC
  • Technology platform review by the FSC, trading engine, wallet security, cybersecurity
  • Secure custody arrangement for client virtual asset holdings
  • Detailed business plan including virtual asset categories to be traded
  • Fit-and-proper assessment for all key personnel and beneficial owners
  • Ongoing FSC reporting including financial returns and AML/CFT disclosures

Indicative Timeline

  • Corporate Setup: 2–3 weeks from completion of KYC and structure documentation
  • Application Preparation: 4–8 weeks, technology documentation and AML/CFT programme are typically the most time-intensive elements
  • FSC Review: 12–18 weeks from submission, the technology assessment adds additional review time compared to non-technology-intensive licences
  • Operational Launch: 3–6 weeks post-licence grant for final platform configuration and client onboarding setup

Common Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

The VAITO Act defines virtual assets broadly, covering cryptocurrencies, digital tokens, and other digital representations of value that can be digitally traded or transferred. The specific virtual assets that a Class M licensee intends to deal in must be described in the business plan submitted to the FSC. The FSC may require additional information on the technical characteristics and risk profile of certain virtual assets, particularly those outside the mainstream cryptocurrency categories. Aurevya advises on how to scope and present the proposed virtual asset universe in a manner that is commercially workable and acceptable to the FSC.
The FSC requires a minimum stated capital of USD 250,000 for a Class M Virtual Asset Broker-Dealer licence. This capital must be fully paid up and maintained at all times. The FSC also applies ongoing capital adequacy requirements that reflect the risk profile of the virtual asset broker-dealer's operations. Aurevya's compliance team assists with capital planning and ongoing capital adequacy monitoring to ensure the entity remains compliant throughout its operating life.
The Class M licence authorises the holder to act as broker-dealer, buying and selling virtual assets on behalf of clients or as principal, and operating an exchange where the licensee is a counterparty. The Class S licence authorises the operation of a marketplace or peer-to-peer trading platform where buyers and sellers interact directly with each other, rather than through the licensee as principal or agent. The Class M model is more analogous to a traditional broker-dealer or exchange operator; the Class S model is more analogous to a decentralised or peer-to-peer marketplace operator.
Virtual asset service providers under the VAITO Act are subject to comprehensive AML/CFT requirements aligned with FATF's guidance on virtual assets. This includes robust KYC procedures for all clients, transaction monitoring calibrated to virtual asset risks, Travel Rule compliance for virtual asset transfers, suspicious activity reporting, and regular AML/CFT programme review. The FSC assesses the AML/CFT programme as a core element of the Class M licence application. Aurevya designs VASP-specific AML/CFT programmes that meet both FSC requirements and international best practice for virtual asset businesses.
The Class M licence does not inherently prohibit retail client services, but the FSC applies conduct of business requirements that must be met when serving retail clients, including disclosure of risks, client categorisation, and appropriate product access controls. Many Class M licensees initially focus on professional and institutional clients, where the regulatory requirements are more proportionate and the commercial relationships are more straightforward. The decision to extend services to retail clients should be addressed explicitly in the business plan submitted to the FSC as part of the licence application.

Continue Exploring

Related Services

Class S, Virtual Asset Marketplace
The regulated peer-to-peer virtual asset marketplace licence, for operators building platform models where buyers and sellers interact directly rather than through a broker-dealer.
Learn More →
Investment Dealer (Full Licence & Underwriting)
For entities seeking to combine virtual asset brokerage with traditional securities dealing, the Full Investment Dealer licence provides the broadest conventional securities mandate from the FSC.
Learn More →
Investment Dealer (Discount Broker)
The execution-only brokerage licence for traditional securities, a complementary regulatory vehicle for platforms bridging conventional and digital asset markets.
Learn More →

Establish Your Regulated Entity

Our regulatory specialists will identify the optimal licence category and guide you through every stage of the application process.

Speak with a Specialist