Nikolai Timofejev
15 years in FinTech and payments. Maps your business model to the right Bank of Namibia class and leads the file to launch, including banking and payment rails.
Get a crypto license in Namibia.
Namibia built a comprehensive, class-based regime - the Virtual Assets Act 2023, run by the Bank of Namibia. It licenses the full field: token issuers, broker-dealers, marketplaces, wallets, custodians and advisers. For a Southern African base with a real, purpose-built framework and a serious regulator, it is a credible option. We match your model to the right class and build it end to end.
27 yrs
on the international marketon the market
60+
in-house specialistsspecialists
400+
Crypto licenses obtainedlicenses obtained
Updated
Namibia in brief
A comprehensive, class-based regime.
Namibia enacted the Virtual Assets Act 10 of 2023 in July 2023 and put the regime under the Bank of Namibia. It is a full, class-based licensing framework rather than a light registration - sections 7 to 10 require virtual-asset service providers to be licensed and registered with the central bank before operating. The classes cover the whole field: a Token Issuer Licence, a Class M Virtual Asset Broker-Dealer Licence, a Class S Virtual Asset Marketplace Licence, a Class O Virtual Asset Wallet Service Licence, a Class R Virtual Asset Custodian Licence and a Class I Virtual Asset Advisory Services Licence.
The model mirrors the more developed offshore class regimes, which makes it legible to anyone who has licensed elsewhere - you hold the class that matches what the business does, with fit-and-proper, AML and operational standards behind it. Namibia is an onshore Southern African market with ordinary corporate tax, so it is a regime-and-position play, not a tax one, and we say so. What you build is a Namibian company, the Bank of Namibia licence for your class, and the compliance behind it. We assemble the company, the licence and the AML programme together.
A comprehensive, class-based regime: the Virtual Assets Act 2023, run by the Bank of Namibia.
Licences for issuer, broker-dealer, marketplace, wallet, custody and advisory. A Southern African base - a regime play, not a tax one.
The licence classes
A class for each virtual-asset activity.
The Act licenses by class under the Bank of Namibia. You hold the class that matches the business, and we build the file the central bank expects.
Class-based: Token Issuer + Class M/S/O/R/I - licence for what the business does.
TOKEN ISSUER
Token issuer
Issuing virtual assets or tokens - a dedicated licence class, with the disclosure and governance the Bank of Namibia expects on an offering.
Issuing virtual assets or tokens - a dedicated licence class, with the disclosure and governance the Bank of Namibia expects on an offering.
- ✓Token issuance licence
- ✓Disclosure and governance
- ✓Investor-protection standards
CLASS M / CLASS S
Broker-dealer / marketplace
Dealing in virtual assets for clients (Class M), or operating a marketplace or exchange (Class S) - the trading and venue classes, with their operational controls.
VASPs must be licensed with the central bank before operating. Class and capital confirmed per case.
- ✓Class M - broker-dealer
- ✓Class S - marketplace / exchange
- ✓Market and settlement standards
CLASS O / R / I
Wallet, custody, advisory
Wallet services (Class O), custody (Class R) and advisory services (Class I) - the safekeeping and advice classes, each licensed and supervised in its own right.
Wallet services (Class O), custody (Class R) and advisory services (Class I) - the safekeeping and advice classes, each licensed and supervised in its own right.
- ✓Class O - wallet services
- ✓Class R - custodian
- ✓Class I - advisory services
VASPs must be licensed and registered with the Bank of Namibia before operating. The class, capital and fees are confirmed against current rules for your case before any work begins.
Why Namibia
Purpose-built, and legible.
A comprehensive class regime under a central-bank regulator - the value is a credible Southern African base with a familiar structure, not tax.
✓
A comprehensive framework
The Virtual Assets Act 2023 covers the whole field - issuance, dealing, marketplaces, wallets, custody and advice. The full model can be licensed in one place, under one regulator.Whole field, one regulator.
✓
A central-bank regulator
The Bank of Namibia supervises the regime. A central-bank licence reads to banks and counterparties as a serious, credible authorisation - not a light badge.Bank of Namibia - real weight.
✓
A legible class structure
The class model mirrors more developed offshore regimes, so anyone who has licensed elsewhere will recognise it. The licence is sized to the activity, cleanly.Familiar structure.
✓
A Southern African base
A lawful foothold in a stable Southern African economy, well-placed to serve regional adoption - direct and credible rather than grey-market from abroad.Serve the region lawfully.
✓
The honest trade-off
We say it plainly: ordinary onshore corporate tax, not an offshore zero. You come for the regulated regional position, not a tax break, and we plan the tax properly.Onshore tax for a licensed base.
✓
The honest structure wins
The Bank of Namibia licenses on the file - fit-and-proper, AML and the class requirements. We build all of it to the standard the regulator and correspondent banks read as legitimacy.Licensed on the file.
How it compares
How Namibia differs from other routes.
Namibia is a comprehensive, class-based central-bank regime in Southern Africa - a regulated regional base, not a tax haven. The honest comparison is below.
Namibia vs other jurisdictions
| Feature |  Namibia | Other jurisdictions |
|---|---|---|
| Model today | Class-based licensing (Bank of Namibia) | From registration to full licensing |
| Regulator | Central bank | Financial-services commission |
| Structure | Issuer + M/S/O/R/I classes | Varies |
| Corporate tax | Onshore (~31%) | 0% offshore, or 9-30% onshore |
Model today
NamibiaClass-based licensing (Bank of Namibia)
Other jurisdictionsFrom registration to full licensing
Regulator
NamibiaCentral bank
Other jurisdictionsFinancial-services commission
Structure
NamibiaIssuer + M/S/O/R/I classes
Other jurisdictionsVaries
Corporate tax
NamibiaOnshore (~31%)
Other jurisdictions0% offshore, or 9-30% onshore
Country by country
| Country | License type | Taxation | Requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| Namibia | VASP licence classes (Bank of Namibia) | Onshore (~31%) | Class-based, licensed |
 Botswana | VASP registration (NBFIRA) | 22% corporate | Due diligence + consumer protection |
 South Africa | CASP / FSP licence (FSCA) | 27% corporate | Fit-and-proper + operations |
 Mauritius | VAITOS - five classes (FSC) | 15% · as low as 3% eff. | Office + management, ~4-6 months |
NamibiaLicense typeVASP licence classes (Bank of Namibia)
TaxationOnshore (~31%)
RequirementsClass-based, licensed
BotswanaLicense typeVASP registration (NBFIRA)
Taxation22% corporate
RequirementsDue diligence + consumer protection
South AfricaLicense typeCASP / FSP licence (FSCA)
Taxation27% corporate
RequirementsFit-and-proper + operations
MauritiusLicense typeVAITOS - five classes (FSC)
Taxation15% · as low as 3% eff.
RequirementsOffice + management, ~4-6 months
Doing it properly
What the Bank of Namibia file contains.What the Bank of Namibia file contains.
A full class regime with real standards. The checklist below is what we build and file.
01
Namibian company - incorporated with clean governance and ownership to the UBOs.
02
The Bank of Namibia licence for the class - issuer, broker-dealer, marketplace, wallet, custodian or advisory.
03
Fit-and-proper directors, controllers and beneficial owners.
04
An AML/CFT programme, with a compliance officer and reporting.
05
Capital and operational requirements appropriate to the class.
06
Client-asset protection and safeguarding where custody is involved.
07
Market-integrity and settlement controls for marketplace and broker-dealer activity.
08
Disclosure and investor-protection arrangements for token issuance.
09
Local presence appropriate to the activity.
10
Ongoing Bank of Namibia supervision and reporting.
01
Namibian company.
02
Bank of Namibia class licence.
03
Fit-and-proper controllers and UBOs.
04
AML/CFT programme.
05
Capital for the class.
06
Client-asset safeguarding (custody).
07
Market controls (marketplace/dealer).
08
Disclosure for token issuance.
09
Local presence for the activity.
10
Ongoing Bank of Namibia supervision.
Reflects the Virtual Assets Act 10 of 2023, in force under the Bank of Namibia, as of 2026. Licensing and registration are required before operating.Virtual Assets Act 2023 (Bank of Namibia), as of 2026.
How it works
From first call to a Bank of Namibia licence.
01
Strategy and class
Which class you licence for, the honest timeline and the compliance plan - fixed in writing before anything incorporates.Which class, timeline - in writing.
02
The Namibian company
Incorporated with clean governance and ownership transparent to the UBOs.Namibian company, clean governance.
03
The licence file
The class application, the capital, the fit-and-proper pack and the AML programme.Class, capital, fit-and-proper, AML.
04
Safeguarding and banking
Client-asset safeguarding where relevant; accounts arranged on disclosure.Client-asset split; accounts.
05
Licence and run
The Bank of Namibia licenses the class; ongoing supervision keeps it clean.Bank of Namibia licenses; supervised.
Quick facts
RegulatorBank of Namibia
LawVirtual Assets Act 2023
ModelClass-based licensing
ClassesIssuer + M/S/O/R/I
VehicleNamibian company
Corporate taxOnshore (~31%)
Before operatingLicence required
Why hereSouthern African base
Namibia's class model is comprehensive and legible - the licence is sized to the activity. The compliance is the work, the central-bank standing is the reward.
On the ground for Namibia
Run from our international desks.
Prifinance - Namibia desk
Run from our Dubai office
33 Level, Al Saqr Business Tower, Dubai, UAE
01
Namibian company
The vehicle the licence sits on - incorporated clean, owned transparently to the UBOs.The vehicle, built clean.
02
The Bank of Namibia class
The right class for the activity, with the capital and compliance assembled the way the central bank expects.Class, capital, compliance.
03
AML and safeguarding
The AML programme and, where custody is involved, client-asset safeguarding - built to the standard the regulator requires.Built to standard.
04
Banking and rails
Accounts or a payment provider, arranged on full disclosure with a central-bank licence behind you.Arranged on full disclosure.
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
Istanbul
Turkey
Perpa Ticaret Merkezi, A Blok
Good to know
Taxation and the honest position in Namibia.
An ordinary onshore Southern African rate - Namibia is a regime-and-position play, and we set the tax out plainly.
Onshore corporate tax
Namibian companies pay ordinary corporate income tax - an onshore rate around 31% for non-mining business, not an offshore zero. The tax is the price of a regulated regional base.Non-mining corporate rate.
Crypto follows general rules
There is no special crypto tax break - digital-asset income is taxed under the general corporate rules, and we plan it into the model.No crypto carve-out.
The reason is the regime
You come to Namibia for a comprehensive, central-bank-licensed framework in a stable economy - not for the rate. The tax is planned, not avoided.The reason to be here.
A developing base
As the regime beds in, we keep the structure and the tax modelling current rather than assume. Namibia is a real base, treated as one.Kept current.
No crypto-specific surtax
There is no separate digital-asset tax layer - crypto follows the general corporate position.General corporate position.
Home-country tax still matters
Group and owner-level tax depends on where you sit. We model how a Namibian entity fits a wider structure.Group position modelled.
Tax and access summary
Corporate income taxOnshore (~31%)
Crypto incomeTaxed - general rules
Crypto-specific reliefNone
Why hereRegulated regional base
RegimeComprehensive, class-based
RegulatorCentral bank
*As of 2026. Namibia is a regime-and-position decision - we model the tax honestly against the value of the base.
Turnkey professional support
Experienced lawyers and international consultants.
We provide end-to-end support, from company registration and the Bank of Namibia file to regulatory interaction and compliance oversight - with an individualized approach to each client.
Oleksii Kindratenko
Builds the application itself: the Namibian company, the Bank of Namibia licence file, and the capital and AML/KYC policy set. His document sets are the reason reviews finish cleanly.
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, licensed business.
Follow Prifinance
Active across our channels.
Namibia · Virtual Assets Act 2023
Launch your crypto project in Namibia with expert support.
Full-service setup - the company, the Bank of Namibia class licence and the compliance, assembled as one.
Get a consultation →Free legal opinion
Is Namibia the right fit for your project?
Our legal team will analyze your case at no cost and provide a written legal opinion: which class, jurisdiction or route fits your business.
Written assessment within 2-5 business days
Request a free conclusion →FAQ
The Namibia crypto licence, answered honestly.
Is there a real crypto regime in Namibia?+
Yes - the Virtual Assets Act 10 of 2023, run by the Bank of Namibia. It is a full, class-based licensing regime: VASPs must be licensed and registered with the central bank before operating.
What are the licence classes?+
A Token Issuer Licence, plus Class M (broker-dealer), Class S (marketplace), Class O (wallet), Class R (custodian) and Class I (advisory). You hold the class that matches what the business does.
Who regulates it?+
The Bank of Namibia - the central bank. A central-bank licence carries real weight, and it means the standards are serious rather than a light registration.
Why Namibia rather than offshore?+
For a comprehensive, central-bank-licensed framework in a stable Southern African economy - a regulated regional base. Offshore gives tax, not this kind of licensed position.
How is it taxed?+
Ordinary onshore corporate tax, around 31% for non-mining business, with crypto on the general rules - it is not a tax haven. You pay onshore tax for a regulated base, and we plan it in.
Namibia or Botswana?+
Both are Southern African regimes. Namibia's 2023 Act is class-based licensing under the central bank; Botswana is an earlier, registration-based regime under NBFIRA. Model and comfort decide, and we help you choose.
How long does it take?+
Realistically a few months once the file is complete. The class, capital, fit-and-proper and AML quality is what keeps the Bank of Namibia review moving.
Why Namibia with you?+
Because the central bank licenses on the file - the class, the capital and the AML. We build Namibian applications to the standard the regulator and the banks read, which is what makes the licence usable.
A real regime?+
Yes - Virtual Assets Act 2023 (Bank of Namibia).
Classes?+
Issuer + M/S/O/R/I.
Regulator?+
The central bank.
Why not offshore?+
For a licensed regional base.
Tax?+
~31% onshore; crypto general rules.
Namibia or Botswana?+
Class licensing vs registration.
How long?+
A few months once complete.
Why with us?+
File to central-bank and bank standard.
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
“I recently had the pleasure of working with Boris.. and I must say, it was a fantastic experience. Boris went above and beyond to assist me with my residency needs. His professionalism, knowledge, and dedication truly stood out. I highly recommend working with Boris and the team!”
Google
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One message away from your Namibia licence.
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 class, jurisdiction or route fits your business.Free legal opinion: which Namibia class fits your project and what it will cost.
✓Written legal opinion within 2-5 business days - free of charge✓A clear recommendation on the right class, not a sales pitch✓Transparent fixed fees, confirmed up front✓EN · RU · ES speaking team
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 Bank of Namibia or the Government of Namibia. Licences are granted by, and obtained directly from, the competent authority.