Crypto License in Anjouan

Introducing the Anjouan International Crypto License

The International Crypto License in Anjouan is an offshore crypto license that can be granted to a company formed in Anjouan or in another jurisdiction. As for every financial license in Anjouan, the Offshore Finance Authority (OFA) is responsible for regulation and enforcement of the crypto regulations in Anjouan. While there are entities operating under financial licenses issued by the OFA, this permit does not guarantee the legitimacy of your project.

The Anjouan offshore license aims to be:

• cheap (four to five figures budget);
• fast (from 2 weeks);
• simple (no mandatory AML-KYC enforcement requirements);
• advantageous (no corporate taxes).

Anjouan Crypto License: Process and Duration

The process to obtain a crypto license in Anjouan is short: less than a week.

This short licensing process completes a fairly short overall process that also includes company registration and preparation of the application. These three basic steps make for a simple set-up. Once the license is granted, the company may also open a bank account.

To kickstart this short process, a project must fulfill only a few requirements. As for most corporate services, the provision of the board members’ documents will be necessary for both the company and crypto license. Properly prepared legal corporate documents are also mandatory. Then the project should apply with an AML policy and a technical description of its services related to cryptocurrency, as well as the underlying processes.

Types and scope of crypto licenses in Anjouan

With this license, a company can offer virtual asset services such as:

• Crypto-to-fiat exchange / crypto-crypto exchange,
• Custody,
• Operation of token sales (ICO, ITO),
• Mining,
• Liquidity provision,
• Contracts For Difference (CFD),
• Trading,
• Operation of exchange.

Once the Anjouan crypto license has been granted to a company, it must be renewed annually by the payment of a fee and the submission of a compliance check. The International Crypto License in Anjouan is strictly specific to cryptocurrency-related activities. Other licenses may be necessary to offer other types of financial services (e.g. Anjouan gambling license).

LegalBison experts can advise on complementary structures for business models requiring additional authorization.

About the Comoros crypto license

When talking about crypto licenses in the Comoros, the Anjouan International Crypto License is usually referred to. The Comoros are an archipelago, Anjouan being one of the islands composing its territory. A crypto license in Anjouan is not officially recognised by the Comoros government, which makes it a risky legal foundation to build your crypto entity on. We recommend considering safer authorities, such as Poland for highly reputed MiCA-based licensing or Costa Rica for a quicker, offshore market entry with fewer requirements.

Offshore and banking rarely go well together. Banks are reluctant to work with offshore companies and with high-risk industries. Luckily, there is a legal, effective turnaround, consisting of the set-up of a payment company in a mainland jurisdiction.

This company, which can be registered in a low-tax jurisdiction in Europe, for example, will have for its business activity the processing of payments for third-party companies. Practically speaking, as this company can open a bank account and payment gateway account, it will be able to collect payments from the crypto-licensed company’s activity, as well as make payments in fiat currencies on its behalf.

1. Offshore Company

   In a reputable offshore jurisdiction for business.

2. Anjouan Crypto License

   Granted to the offshore company.

3. Payment Entity

   Opened in a low tax, onshore jurisdiction, to process all fiat payments.

4. Bank Account

   As the company is opened in a reputable jurisdiction and holds an actual crypto license.

5. Merchant Account

   To process clients’ incoming and outgoing cash flows in bulk.

6. Legal Services

   For a token sale, an innovative business model, a SAFT, etc.

Financial activities in Anjouan are governed by the Anjouan Offshore Financial Authority (OFA). The OFA is the body responsible for the oversight of sectors including banking, insurance, brokerage, and crypto asset services. Still, none of the permits issued locally in Anjouan is officially recognised by the Union government. While some commercial entities and payment providers de facto accept Anjouan-issued licenses, this does not guarantee legitimacy. We highly recommend referring to our experts for a personal consultation before pursuing the crypto license in Anjouan.

Public Registry and Disclosure

The OFA maintains a public register of licensed entities. This database typically includes the corporate name, registration ID, license number, and the date of issuance. While the license status is public, the specific details regarding directors and shareholders are not generally disclosed on the public registry.

Entities seeking a crypto-related license in Anjouan typically proceed through a documentation phase where corporate records and identity documents for directors are compiled.

The process involves:

• Entity Options: Applicants may register an International Business Company (IBC) locally or apply using an entity registered in a different jurisdiction.
• Documentation: Submission of AML/KYC policies and a technical description of the cryptocurrency systems being utilized is required.
• Timeline: The administrative review of applications generally occurs within a two-week window once all documents are submitted.

Anjouan operates as an offshore jurisdiction. Locally registered IBCs are currently not subject to corporate income tax or VAT on financial services.

However, companies must pay an annual renewal fee to the OFA to maintain the validity of their license.

It is important to note that while local enforcement of AML/KYC may differ from European standards, international compliance is often necessary for banking and third-party integrations.

For businesses seeking different levels of regulatory standing or market access, the following jurisdictions represent common alternatives:

Poland (CASP Authorization)

As of 2026, Poland operates under the harmonized EU Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) regulation. Entities must obtain a Crypto-Asset Service Provider (CASP) license from the Polish Financial Supervision Authority (KNF).

• Key Feature: A Polish CASP license allows for “passporting,” enabling a company to legally provide services across all 27 EU member states under a single authorization.
• Requirement: Higher barriers to entry, including minimum capital requirements (ranging from €50,000 to €150,000) and mandatory local substance, such as a physical office and at least one EU-resident director.

Costa Rica

Costa Rica remains a popular alternative for those seeking an Americas-based presence.

• Key Feature: The country utilizes a territorial tax system, meaning income generated from foreign sources is typically not subject to local corporate tax.
• Requirement: Costa Rica remains a crypto-neutral jurisdiction as of early 2026, hence there is no official licensing procedure established at the moment.

According to the latest legal memorandum and regular internal compliance research by LegalBison lawyers, Anjouan’s autonomous administration does not hold sufficient authority to license and oversee financial, crypto, or iGaming activities independently. While the Anjouan-issued licenses are not officially recognised by the Union government, they continue to be used in practice, which does not provide legitimacy and can incur significant legal risks.

We strongly recommend entrepreneurs interested in Anjouan licensing to refer to the LegalBison team for detailed consultations and professional advice as to the current legal status of this authorisation.

Request a free consultation with our experts