DeFi Regulation and Offshore Structures in 2026
DeFi regulation is closing the gap on decentralised finance. We explain the emerging rules and how offshore structures fit a compliant DeFi business.
7 Apr 202612 min
Insights and publications
Practitioner commentary by HPT directors.
Every article in our library is written by a named HPT director, distilled from active client engagements. We publish on the topics our clients ask us about most often: structuring, banking, mobility, tax and regulatory change. Articles older than 24 months are marked accordingly.
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Fintech articles
Fintech.
35 Fintech articles — page 1 of 1. Use the filters above to browse by topic, or page through the whole archive below.
The Travel Rule and VASP Compliance: A Practical Guide
A practical guide to Travel Rule and VASP compliance: what the rule requires, thresholds, the sunrise problem, and how crypto businesses prepare.
5 Apr 202612 min
How to Structure a Crypto OTC Desk: A Complete Guide
A complete guide to structuring a crypto OTC desk: licensing, entity choice, banking and settlement, counterparty risk, and compliance essentials.
3 Apr 202612 min
Tokenising Real-World Assets: Offshore Structuring Guide
A structuring guide to tokenising real-world assets offshore: legal wrappers, SPVs, securities treatment, jurisdiction choice, and investor compliance.
2 Apr 202613 min
Best Jurisdictions for a Web3 Company: 2025 Guide
A 2025 guide to choosing the best jurisdiction for a Web3 company: regulation, token treatment, tax, banking access, substance, and common mistakes.
31 Mar 202612 min
Gibraltar DLT Provider Licence: A Practical Guide
How the Gibraltar DLT provider licence works, who needs it, the regulatory principles, capital and substance expectations, and common pitfalls.
29 Mar 202612 min
Open Banking APIs for Offshore Fintech: A Guide
How offshore fintechs can use open banking APIs for payments and data, the licensing and access realities, and the pitfalls to avoid.
27 Mar 202611 min
CBDC Impact on Offshore Banking: What to Know
How central bank digital currencies could reshape offshore banking, privacy, cross-border payments and structuring, and what to plan for now.
25 Mar 202611 min
PSP Licence in the EU: A Jurisdiction Comparison
Compare PSP licence options across the EU: payment vs e-money institutions, passporting, capital and substance, and how to choose a jurisdiction.
24 Mar 202612 min
IBAN Assignment for Offshore Fintechs: A Practical Guide
How IBAN assignment works for offshore fintechs, why your own IBAN range matters, and the licensing, sponsor-bank and compliance realities behind it.
22 Mar 202612 min
EMI Licence in Lithuania: A Complete Guide for Fintechs
A practical guide to the EMI licence in Lithuania: why fintechs choose it, the application process, capital and substance requirements, and common pitfalls.
20 Mar 202612 min
EMI Licence in Malta: A Complete Guide for Fintechs
A practical guide to the EMI licence in Malta: why fintechs choose it, the MFSA process, capital and substance requirements, and the pitfalls to avoid.
18 Mar 202612 min
Neobank Launch: The Regulatory Pathway Explained
The regulatory pathway to launching a neobank: licence versus sponsor routes, capital and safeguarding, compliance, and the build-versus-rent decision.
16 Mar 202613 min
Banking-as-a-Service (BaaS): A Strategic Guide
A clear guide to Banking-as-a-Service (BaaS): how the model works, where the regulatory perimeter sits, sponsor-bank risk, and how to launch safely.
14 Mar 202612 min
How to Launch a Card Programme: A Practical Guide
A practical guide to launching a card programme: the roles of issuer, processor and scheme, BIN sponsorship, compliance, economics, and common pitfalls.
13 Mar 202612 min
US MSB Licensing: A Guide for Fintech Founders
A clear guide to US MSB licensing for fintechs: FinCEN registration, state money-transmitter licences, AML obligations, costs, and structuring pitfalls.
11 Mar 202612 min
MiCA Regulation: A Practical Crypto Compliance Guide
A plain-English guide to MiCA regulation: CASP authorisation, stablecoin rules, the transition timeline, and what crypto operators must actually do.
3 Feb 202613 min
VASP Registration vs Full Licence: Which You Need
VASP registration vs a full crypto or financial licence: what each means, when each fits, and the substance and banking risks of getting it wrong.
25 Jan 202612 min
Netherlands Payment Institution Licensing for Fintechs
Netherlands payment institution licensing under PSD2 gives fintechs an EU passport via DNB authorisation. The licence types, process and expectations.
3 Jan 202612 min
Dubai's Rise as a VASP Hub: What VARA Licensing Means for Crypto Businesses
Dubai established the Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA) in 2022, creating the world's first dedicated virtual-asset regulator at city level. For crypto businesses seeking regulated status, banking access and institutional credibility, VARA has become the leading licensing option globally.
8 Oct 20259 min
Isle of Man eGaming and iGaming Licensing: A Guide
An authoritative guide to Isle of Man eGaming and iGaming licensing: licence types, substance, banking, player funds, and why operators choose the Island.
16 Dec 202412 min
Isle of Man Crypto Businesses: Registering Under the DSIA
How cryptocurrency businesses register under the Isle of Man DSIA and AML regime, what oversight to expect, and where the regulatory perimeter sits.
11 Dec 202411 min
Offshore EMI White Labels: A Strategic Launchpad
How offshore EMI white labels let entrepreneurs launch payment and wallet products fast, what they really offer, the risks, and when a licence wins instead.
19 Nov 202411 min
Best Countries for Crypto Companies in 2026
The best countries for crypto companies in 2026, how leading jurisdictions compare on licensing, banking and tax, and how to choose the right base.
17 Nov 202412 min
How to Start a Payment Company: A Founder's Guide
How to start a payment company: choosing a model, securing a licence or partner, banking, capital, compliance, and the structure that makes it scalable.
15 Nov 202412 min
How to Get an EMI Licence: A Practical Guide
How to get an EMI licence: where to apply, capital and governance requirements, the application process, timelines, and the pitfalls that delay approval.
13 Nov 202412 min
Offshore Banking Licence: A Realistic Founder's Guide
An offshore banking licence guide: licence classes, capital and substance requirements, the application process, correspondent banking, and who it suits.
12 Nov 202412 min
NFT Marketplace Legal Structure: A Founder's Guide
An NFT marketplace legal structure guide: entity choice, regulatory triggers, intellectual property, payments, tax and the compliance pitfalls founders miss.
10 Nov 202411 min
DAO Legal Structure: Choosing the Right Wrapper
A DAO legal structure guide: why a legal wrapper matters, the main options, liability and tax, treasury management, and pitfalls decentralised projects face.
8 Nov 202411 min
Forex Broker Licence Guide: Choosing the Right Jurisdiction
A practical forex broker licence guide covering jurisdictions, capital rules, liquidity, payments and the compliance realities of launching an FX brokerage.
6 Nov 202412 min
Crowdfunding Platform Licence Guide for Founders
A clear crowdfunding platform licence guide on regulatory models, capital, investor protection and the structuring choices behind a compliant platform launch.
4 Nov 202411 min
Offshore Wealth Management Licence: A Founder's Guide
An offshore wealth management licence guide on regulatory models, capital, custody, substance and the compliance demands of a cross-border advisory firm.
3 Nov 202412 min
Insurtech Licensing Guide: Routes to Market for Founders
An insurtech licensing guide covering carrier, MGA and broker routes, capital, jurisdictions and the structuring choices behind a compliant launch.
1 Nov 202411 min
Issuing a Stablecoin Under the EU MiCA Framework
A practical guide to issuing a stablecoin under MiCA: e-money tokens versus asset-referenced tokens, authorisation, reserve and redemption rules, and where.
15 Apr 202413 min
Structuring a Crypto Exchange Offshore: A Guide
How to structure a crypto exchange offshore in 2026: licensing options, the operating and holding split, banking realities, substance and the compliance bar.
16 Mar 202414 min
Also in Insights
Beyond the library.
Guides & Comparisons
Long-form practical guides on jurisdictions, structures and pathways.
Explore →Case Studies
Anonymised mandate write-ups, with the lessons learnt.
Explore →Glossary
Plain-English definitions of offshore terms — from ATED to VASP.
Explore →FAQ
The questions every prospective client asks.
Explore →Director's note
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