Fintech founders and innovators
New and scaling businesses developing payment, account-information, payment-initiation, digital-wallet, e-money or cryptoasset propositions for the UK market.
United Kingdom · FCA authorisation support
Payments, e-money and crypto
Professional regulatory consulting and end-to-end application support for businesses seeking the appropriate UK authorisation or registration route.
We support founders and established firms from the initial idea, business-model review and regulatory perimeter analysis through application preparation, submission support, structured responses during regulatory review and readiness for the regulator’s final decision.
Request Initial Consultation
Who this service is for
Payment service providers
Firms planning money remittance, acquiring, payment initiation, account information or other regulated payment services.
E-money issuers and digital wallets
Businesses issuing stored monetary value, operating wallets or combining e-money issuance with payment services.
Cryptoasset and hybrid models
Cryptoasset exchanges, custodian-wallet businesses, stablecoin-related models and firms combining digital assets with payments or e-money.
Choosing the correct regulatory route
Payment institution route
The appropriate route may involve an authorised payment institution, small payment institution, registered account information service provider or another permissions structure, depending on the proposed services and operating model.
Electronic money institution route
We assess whether the proposed activity points toward an authorised EMI or small EMI, considering e-money issuance, payment services, scale, safeguarding, governance and capital.
Cryptoasset regulatory route
The route depends on the precise cryptoasset activities, UK nexus and applicable regulatory timing. Registration, authorisation or additional regulated permissions may be relevant.
Combined and hybrid structures
Where payments, e-money and cryptoasset activities overlap, we map each customer journey, funds flow, outsourced function and proposed permission before fixing the application strategy.
The correct route cannot be determined from a business label alone.
It depends on the products, contractual relationships, customer
journey, money flows, geography, technology and operational
responsibilities.
What this service includes
Business-model and regulatory perimeter review
Analysis of the services, contractual structure, customer journey, funds flows and potentially regulated activities.
Authorisation and registration strategy
Identification of the likely route, permissions, registrations, limitations and application sequence.
Pre-application readiness and gap analysis
Assessment of the proposed operation against regulatory expectations, with practical remediation priorities before submission.
Application pack planning and preparation
Support with the programme of operations, business plan, policies, financials, forms and supporting evidence.
Governance, controllers and key individuals
Review of ownership, qualifying holdings, governance, responsibilities, competence, fitness and propriety.
AML, CTF and financial-crime framework
Support with the business-wide risk assessment, customer due diligence, sanctions, monitoring, reporting and MLRO framework.
Safeguarding, capital and financial model
Development of safeguarding logic, reconciliation arrangements, capital analysis, wind-down assumptions and financial projections.
Technology, outsourcing and resilience
Review of information security, system architecture, outsourcing, third-party oversight and operational resilience.
Submission and regulatory review support
Final completeness review, submission coordination and support with clear, evidence-based responses to regulatory questions.
Decision and post-authorisation readiness
Preparation for conditions, operational launch, reporting, governance calendars and ongoing compliance obligations.
Professional process
Initial consultation
We establish your objectives, proposed activities, ownership, UK presence, timeline and current level of readiness.
Regulatory route and scope analysis
We map the regulatory perimeter and define the likely authorisation, registration and permissions strategy.
Gap assessment and project plan
We identify missing people, systems, controls, documentation and evidence and convert the findings into a practical workplan.
Documentation and operating framework
We support preparation of application documents, policies, financial models, governance arrangements and control frameworks.
Submission and regulatory engagement
We support final submission checks and organise professional responses, evidence and updates during the regulator’s review.
Final decision and operational readiness
We help the business prepare for the regulator’s decision, possible conditions and transition into ongoing regulated operations.
Key application workstreams
Programme of operations
Products, permissions, customer journeys and operational responsibilities.
Business plan and financial projections
Commercial assumptions, capital, resources, stress scenarios and sustainability.
Safeguarding and reconciliation
Customer-funds mapping, safeguarding method, accounts and escalation.
Governance and controllers
Ownership, directors, responsibilities, committees and oversight.
AML, CTF and MLRO readiness
Due diligence, screening, monitoring, reporting, training and ownership.
Risk and compliance framework
Monitoring, compliance testing, breaches, complaints and assurance.
Technology and outsourcing
Systems, cyber controls, outsourced services and third-party oversight.
Customer communications and conduct
Terms, disclosures, complaints, promotions and Consumer Duty where applicable.
Cryptoasset transition planning
Current position, future needs, transitional timing and connected permissions.
Launch and ongoing obligations
Reporting, governance calendars, monitoring and change management.
Service fee
CONTACT US
Scope-based professional fee
Every application is different. Following the initial consultation, we provide a clear scope of work and fee proposal based on the regulatory route, business model, existing documentation, operational readiness and assistance required. The agreed fee is confirmed before work begins, with no undisclosed charges.
Why clients trust Konstantin
Regulatory literacy
Detailed understanding of payments, e-money, cryptoassets, AML, governance and cross-border structures.
Cross-border perspective
Practical analysis of international ownership, outsourcing, banking, technology and customer models.
Careful preparation
Structured workplans, consistent documentation and evidence designed to anticipate questions and reduce avoidable delays.
Practical project management
Clear communication, defined responsibilities and disciplined progress from the initial idea to the regulatory decision.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need FCA authorisation or registration?
That depends on the activities, contractual relationships, customer journey, funds or asset flows, geography and whether an exclusion or exemption applies. Regulatory perimeter analysis is therefore the first substantive stage.
What is the difference between a payment institution and an e-money institution?
A payment institution provides regulated payment services. An e-money institution issues electronic money and may also provide payment services. The correct route depends on the actual product and funds flow rather than the terminology used in a business plan.
How are cryptoasset businesses treated?
Treatment depends on the precise activities, UK nexus and applicable regulatory timing. Registration, authorisation, payment or e-money permissions, or a combination of routes may be relevant.
Can you guarantee that the application will be approved?
No consultant can guarantee a regulatory decision. Approval depends on the applicant, its people, ownership, financial resources, business model, systems, controls and evidence.
What happens after the initial consultation?
We review the business model and available materials, identify the likely route and principal gaps, and provide a proposed scope, workplan, responsibilities, document list and professional fee.
Ready to take the next step?
Begin with a structured review of your business model, regulatory route and current level of application readiness.
Regulatory Intelligence is an independent consulting service and is
not part of, endorsed by, or affiliated with the Financial Conduct
Authority. We do not display official regulator branding or insignia and cannot
guarantee authorisation or registration. Final decisions remain solely
with the relevant regulator. Consulting support does not replace
appropriately qualified UK legal advice where legal services are
required.