Nikolai Timofejev
15 years in FinTech and payments. Maps your business model to the right structure and leads the file all the way to a compliant launch, including banking and payment rails.
Get a crypto license in Jamaica.
Jamaica has no dedicated crypto licence in force yet - and we say so plainly. The FSC has published a full VASP licensing proposal and the Bill is moving through Parliament; meanwhile the Bank of Jamaica already runs JAM-DEX, a live CBDC. What works today: a governed company with real AML and FSC engagement, prepared to file the moment the Act lands. We structure it honestly.
27 yrs
on the international marketon the market
60+
in-house specialistsspecialists
400+
Crypto licenses obtainedlicenses obtained
Updated
Jamaica in brief
No licence yet - a compliant company that works.
Jamaica does not have a dedicated virtual-asset licence in force, and no one can sell you one today. The Financial Services Commission assesses digital-asset activity case by case under the existing securities framework, while a full VASP licensing regime is being built: the FSC published its proposal - six licence classes, a minimum paid-up capital of J$16 million, genuine local substance and audited proof of reserves for exchanges and custodians - ran public consultation in mid-2026, and the Bill is programmed for passage in the 2025/26 fiscal year. So the status is specific: crypto activity is lawful, but it runs on the general company and AML system while the dedicated licence moves through Parliament.
One detail sets Jamaica apart. The Bank of Jamaica has already issued JAM-DEX, among the first live central-bank digital currencies in the world - a clear sign that the state is at ease with digital money and building rules rather than bans. The practical route today is a properly governed Jamaican company, a real AML programme to obliged-entity standard, and early engagement with the FSC. That operates lawfully now and holds a prepared application for the day the VASP Act is enacted. We build the compliant structure and keep the readiness file current, so you are first in the queue.
No dedicated crypto licence in force in Jamaica yet - honestly. The FSC has published a full VASP proposal and the Bill is headed through Parliament. The real route now is a governed company plus a real AML programme, with FSC engagement.
The Bank of Jamaica already runs JAM-DEX, a live CBDC - the state is comfortable with digital money. We build the compliant structure and keep a readiness file so you file first when the Act lands.
The honest picture
The AML company route - readiness for the VASP Act.
Two workstreams: the company plus AML structure that operates now, and the readiness that converts it into a licence application when Jamaica enacts its VASP Act. We scope both before any work begins.
The company + AML route operates now; a readiness file converts it into a licence application when Jamaica enacts the VASP Act.
01 - COMPANY + AML · THE ROUTE
Governed company, real AML
The working structure: a Jamaican company with clean governance, an AML programme to obliged-entity standard and early engagement with the FSC under the securities framework - lawful and credible today, without a dedicated licence because none is in force yet.
The working structure: a Jamaican company with clean governance, an AML programme to obliged-entity standard and early engagement with the FSC under the securities framework - lawful and credible today, without a dedicated licence because none is in force yet.
- ✓Jamaican company with clean governance
- ✓AML/CFT programme, obliged-entity grade
- ✓Named compliance officer with authority
- ✓FSC engagement under securities framework
- ✓KYC, monitoring and record-keeping
- ✓Banking arranged on full disclosure
02 - READINESS FOR THE VASP ACT
JAM-DEX CBDC already livePrepared for the licence
The FSC's VASP proposal is detailed and close. The readiness file - governance, AML, custody and proof-of-reserves documentation on the draft's patterns - turns the structure into an applicant the day the Act is enacted.
The FSC's VASP proposal is detailed and close - licence-grade compliance now means first in line when the Act lands.
- ✓FSC VASP proposal - six licence classes
- ✓Minimum capital and local substance mapped
- ✓Proof-of-reserves reporting prepared
- ✓Compliance built to licence-grade now
- ✓Legislative monitoring - we track the Bill
- ✓First in line when the Act lands
Costs and timelines are confirmed for your case before any work begins. No dedicated crypto licence is in force in Jamaica yet - the company and AML route is the real path today, and we are candid that it is a compliance structure until the VASP Act is enacted.
Why Jamaica
A live CBDC, a licence on the way.
No dedicated licence in force yet - but a common-law market with a live CBDC and a detailed VASP framework arriving, where a properly compliant company is a credible, bankable base.
✓
A CBDC already live
The Bank of Jamaica launched JAM-DEX, one of the world's first live central-bank digital currencies. The state is comfortable with digital money, which sets a constructive backdrop for private crypto business done properly.JAM-DEX - one of the first live CBDCs anywhere.
✓
Legal to operate
Crypto is not banned - it is simply unlicensed for now. Operating through a governed company with real AML is lawful, and the FSC reviews digital-asset activity case by case under the securities framework.Not banned - unlicensed; the AML route is lawful.
✓
A framework arriving
The FSC has published a full VASP licensing proposal - six licence classes, minimum capital, proof of reserves - and the Bill is programmed for passage. Building now means you apply first when it is enacted.Full FSC VASP proposal - build now, apply first.
✓
English-language common law
Jamaica runs a common-law system in English, with a corporate toolkit international founders already understand. Documentation and governance read the way banks expect.A corporate toolkit founders already understand.
✓
Caribbean reach
A sensible base for the regional market, with time-zone overlap with North America and a growing fintech conversation across the Caribbean.Regional base with North-America overlap.
✓
Honest guidance
Our value here is candour. We will not sell a Jamaican «licence» that is still a Bill - we build the real compliant structure and prepare the application for the day the law lands.No selling a licence that is still a Bill.
How it compares
How Jamaica differs from other routes.
Jamaica is the compliant-company play with a licence arriving, not a regime already running. The honest comparison is below.
Jamaica vs other jurisdictions
| Feature |  Jamaica | Other jurisdictions |
|---|---|---|
| Licence today | None yet - company + AML | Dedicated VASP licences |
| Framework | FSC VASP Bill - in consultation | Already in force |
| CBDC | JAM-DEX live (BOJ) | Rare |
| Corporate tax | 25% (33.33% regulated) | Varies |
Licence today
JamaicaNone yet - company + AML
Other jurisdictionsDedicated VASP licences
Framework
JamaicaFSC VASP Bill - in consultation
Other jurisdictionsAlready in force
CBDC
JamaicaJAM-DEX live (BOJ)
Other jurisdictionsRare
Corporate tax
Jamaica25% (33.33% regulated)
Other jurisdictionsVaries
Country by country
| Country | License type | Taxation | Requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jamaica | No dedicated licence yet - VASP Bill pending | 25% (33.33% regulated) | Company + AML; FSC engagement |
 Trinidad & Tobago | No dedicated VASP law - company route | 30% corporate | AML; SEC and Central-Bank guidance |
 Barbados | FSC regulatory sandbox (fintech) | 5.5% to 1% tiered | Sandbox authorisation |
 Panama | No dedicated law - company route | Territorial - 0% foreign | AML practice; framework pending |
JamaicaLicense typeNo dedicated licence yet - VASP Bill pending
Taxation25% (33.33% regulated)
RequirementsCompany + AML; FSC engagement
Trinidad & TobagoLicense typeNo dedicated VASP law - company route
Taxation30% corporate
RequirementsAML; SEC and Central-Bank guidance
BarbadosLicense typeFSC regulatory sandbox (fintech)
Taxation5.5% to 1% tiered
RequirementsSandbox authorisation
PanamaLicense typeNo dedicated law - company route
TaxationTerritorial - 0% foreign
RequirementsAML practice; framework pending
Doing it properly
What the compliant structure contains.What the compliant structure contains.
No licence yet does not mean no standards - the AML obligations are real and the draft VASP rules are specific. The checklist below is what we build.
01
Jamaican company - incorporated with clean governance and transparent ownership to UBOs.
02
AML/CFT programme - obliged-entity-grade KYC, monitoring and record-keeping applied to crypto activity.
03
FSC engagement - digital-asset activity discussed with the Financial Services Commission under the current securities framework.
04
Named compliance officer - appointed with real authority over the AML function.
05
Proof-of-reserves readiness - the independently-audited reserve reporting the proposed VASP rules will require of exchanges and custodians.
06
Local substance - genuine Jamaican presence, in line with the substance the draft regime expects.
07
Custody and systems documentation - wallet architecture described to international standards.
08
Banking file - accounts arranged on full disclosure, matched to the flows.
09
Clean books - accounting a bank and a future regulator read as an asset.
10
VASP-Act readiness - the draft framework tracked and a licence application prepared for the day it is enacted.
01
Jamaican company with clean governance.
02
AML/CFT programme, obliged-entity grade.
03
FSC engagement under securities framework.
04
Named compliance officer with authority.
05
Proof-of-reserves readiness prepared.
06
Genuine local substance mapped.
07
Custody and systems documentation.
08
Banking file on full disclosure.
09
Clean books from day one.
10
VASP-Act readiness and monitoring.
Reflects Jamaica's general company law and AML framework as of 2026, and the FSC's proposed VASP regime. No dedicated crypto licence is in force yet - in writing, not in small print.General company law + AML, plus the FSC's proposed VASP regime, as of 2026. No licence in force yet.
How it works
From first call to a compliant structure.
01
Strategy and honesty
The real status, your AML obligations and the banking plan - fixed in writing before anything incorporates.Status, AML obligations, banking - in writing.
02
Company and governance
Jamaican incorporation with clean governance and transparent ownership - the base the AML route needs.Incorporation, clean governance, UBOs.
03
AML and FSC engagement
A full AML programme with a named compliance officer, and digital-asset activity discussed with the FSC under the securities framework.Programme, officer, securities-framework talks.
04
Banking and operations
Accounts arranged on disclosure; the structure live on rails that hold.Accounts on disclosure; live on solid rails.
05
Monitor and convert
The VASP Bill tracked - when Jamaica enacts it, the prepared application files first.File first when Jamaica enacts the Act.
Quick facts
Dedicated licenceNone yet - pending
RegulatorFSC Jamaica
RouteCompany + AML
FrameworkVASP Bill (consultation)
CBDCJAM-DEX (live)
Corporate tax25% / 33.33%
GCT15%
CurrencyJMD
Anyone selling a «Jamaican crypto licence» in 2026 is selling a Bill that has not passed. The honest product is the compliant company and AML structure - real, bankable, and ready to convert.
On the ground in Jamaica
Run from our Dubai office, with Jamaican counsel.
Prifinance - Jamaica desk
Kingston · Jamaica
Kingston, Jamaica
01
Jamaican incorporation
Company formation with clean governance - the corporate layer the AML route sits on, built properly.Clean governance - the base for the AML route.
02
AML programme
KYC, monitoring and record-keeping with a named compliance officer - drafted and maintained to obliged-entity standard.KYC, monitoring and a compliance officer.
03
FSC engagement
Digital-asset activity discussed with the Financial Services Commission under the securities framework, honestly framed.Under the securities framework, honestly framed.
04
Banking and readiness
Accounts arranged on disclosure, and a VASP-Act readiness file kept current so you are first in line at enactment.Accounts on disclosure; ready for the VASP Act.
We also have offices in
Tallinn
Estonia
Roseni 13
Vilnius
Lithuania
Gedimino pr. 2
Prague
Czech Republic
Vlkova 532/8, Žižkov
London
United Kingdom
7 Bell Yard
Dubai
UAE
33 Level, Al Saqr Business Tower
Madeira
Portugal
Rua da Alegria 31, 1F
Istanbul
Turkey
Perpa Ticaret Merkezi, A Blok
Good to know
Taxation of crypto companies in Jamaica.
No crypto-specific levy - company profits carry Jamaica's 25% corporate rate, or 33.33% for regulated companies, so the position is planned deliberately from the start.
25% standard rate
Company profits carry Jamaica's 25% corporate income tax - a mid-range rate for the region. We model it from the start rather than treat it as an afterthought.Company profits at Jamaica's corporate rate.
33.33% if regulated
Jamaica taxes «regulated companies» at 33.33%. A VASP licensed by the FSC could fall into that bracket, so we plan for the higher rate rather than discover it later.A licensed VASP may sit in the higher bracket.
No crypto-specific rules
There is no dedicated crypto tax code. Digital-asset income is handled under general income-tax principles, which we document defensibly so the position holds up.General income-tax principles, documented.
GCT at 15%
The General Consumption Tax applies to supplies of goods and services in the usual way; how it maps onto crypto fee income depends on the activity. We plan the position rather than assume an exemption.Service-specific - planned, not assumed.
Currency and reporting
Accounts run in Jamaican dollars, and Tax Administration Jamaica expects clean, digital-ready records - which the AML file already supports.JMD; clean, digital-ready records.
Records serve both
The KYC and monitoring records the AML route requires double as tax-office-grade books - compliance-grade accounting serves the revenue too.Compliance-grade books serve tax too.
Tax summary
Corporate income tax25%
Regulated companies33.33%
GCT (VAT-equivalent)15%
Crypto-specific rulesNone - general system
CurrencyJMD
CBDCJAM-DEX (live)
*As of 2026. A licensed VASP may fall into the 33.33% regulated bracket - we model the structure honestly around it.
Turnkey professional support
Experienced lawyers and international consultants.
We provide end-to-end support, from company registration and the AML programme to regulatory interaction and compliance oversight - with an individualized approach to each client.
Oleksii Kindratenko
Builds the application itself: Jamaican company, AML/KYC policy pack, capital structure and tax registrations, with a VASP-Act file ready for enactment. His document sets are the reason reviews finish in months, not years.
Eugeniu Bevziuc
First point of contact for international founders. Runs the whole setup remotely, across time zones and languages - from the first call to a clean, compliant business.
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Jamaica · pre-licence
Launch your crypto project in Jamaica with expert support.
Full-service setup - the compliant company and AML structure today, a prepared application for the coming VASP Act.
Get a consultation →Free legal opinion
Is Jamaica the right fit for your project?
Our legal team will analyze your case at no cost and provide a written legal opinion: which jurisdiction, structure, or route fits your business.
Written assessment within 2-5 business days
Request a free conclusion →FAQ
The Jamaica crypto route, answered honestly.
Is there a crypto licence in Jamaica?+
Not yet. The FSC has proposed a full VASP licensing regime and the Bill is programmed for passage in the 2025/26 fiscal year, with public consultation held in mid-2026. Until it is enacted, there is no dedicated licence to hold.
So is operating legal?+
Yes, when done properly. Crypto is not banned. A governed Jamaican company that runs real AML and engages the FSC under the securities framework operates lawfully - and those standards are what banks read.
What is JAM-DEX?+
JAM-DEX is the Bank of Jamaica's central-bank digital currency, one of the first live CBDCs anywhere. It is separate from private crypto, but it signals that the state is at ease with digital money.
What will the VASP Act require?+
The FSC's proposal sets six licence classes, a minimum paid-up capital, genuine local substance and, for exchanges and custodians, independently-audited proof of reserves. We build to that standard now.
How are crypto companies taxed?+
A 25% corporate rate for most companies, or 33.33% for regulated ones - a licensed VASP may sit in the higher bracket. There is no crypto-specific code, so we model the position deliberately.
Can I be first in line for the licence?+
That is the plan. We prepare the company, the AML programme and the application file to the draft standard, so you can file as soon as the Act is enacted.
What about serving regulated markets now?+
Jamaica grants no passports. Where a target market needs a live licence today, we pair the Jamaican base with a licensed desk elsewhere and sequence both.
Why Jamaica with you?+
Because the value is in the detail: the AML programme, the FSC engagement, the readiness file. We build to the standard licensed firms keep - which is what makes the structure bankable and future-ready.
Is there a crypto licence?+
Not yet - the FSC's VASP Bill is still pending.
Is operating legal?+
Yes - governed company + AML + FSC engagement.
What is JAM-DEX?+
The Bank of Jamaica's live CBDC - a positive signal.
What will the Act require?+
Six licence classes, capital, proof of reserves.
Company taxes?+
25%, or 33.33% for regulated companies.
First in line?+
Yes - we file the readiness file at enactment.
Regulated markets now?+
Pair with a licensed desk elsewhere - sequenced.
Why with us?+
The compliance detail makes it bankable.
Client notes
Google4.7★★★★★
Founders who wanted it done right.
Google4.7★★★★★
“As a software development crew at FewMoreTaps OÜ, we've had the pleasure of working with Prifinance on some key financial moves.First of all, navigating the world of corporate banking and finance can be a maze, but Prifinance made it feel like a walk in the park. They helped us set up a corporate bank account without the hassle of jumping on a plane or drowning in paperwork. Everything was done remotely, smoothly…”
Google
“I had their assistance in company registration and I would recommend them. They were answering all my clarification during the process and offering all their supportThank you Daniel and Irinia”
Google
“We found PRIFINANCE COMPANYvia the Internet and asked for help in organizing the opening of their company in Estonia. PRIFINANCE COMPANY specialists helped us a lot with this. Their professional, competent approach and knowledge of their business left us with only the best impressions.”
Google
“I'm thrilled with my experience with PriFinance! They helped me obtain a crypto license in Estonia without any hassle. The team was super understanding and always available to answer my questions and assist. It was great to see how they put effort into preparing the documents to ensure everything went smoothly. I'm delighted with the outcome and highly recommend PriFinance to anyone looking to get a license…”
Google
“Opening an account with Prifinance in a Swiss bank was such an easy and quick process that I was shocked. It all started with the first call, where I received detailed guidance on the required documents and the entire procedure.One of the key highlights was their attention to detail. As someone who usually gets tangled up in paperwork, I was pleasantly surprised when they sent me all the documents and…”
Google
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Get a free legal opinion on your project - our legal team will analyze your case at no cost and provide a written legal opinion: which jurisdiction, structure, or route fits your business.Free legal opinion: which Jamaica structure fits your project and what it will cost.
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Prifinance is an independent law and advisory firm. We are not a regulator and are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or acting on behalf of the Financial Services Commission, the Bank of Jamaica or any other public authority. Authorisations are granted by, and obtained directly from, the competent authorities.