Start Faster with an Existing Canadian MSB
Request Available MSBsAcquire an established Canadian MSB with FINTRAC registration in place, backed by expert legal and compliance support from due diligence through post-acquisition updates and AML setup.
Complium is an independent legal, corporate and compliance services provider. We are not affiliated with FINTRAC, the Bank of Canada or any Canadian government authority.
READY-MADE CANADIAN MSB
A Faster Route to Establishing Your Fintech Business in Canada
Canada offers international fintech companies an established federal framework for providing regulated money services.
A Ready-Made MSB allows you to acquire an existing Canadian company with FINTRAC registration rather than forming a new entity and building the corporate structure from the beginning.
Subject to availability and transaction readiness, the share acquisition can be completed in as little as two weeks.
Complium advises and supports buyers throughout the acquisition process. We help identify suitable opportunities, review the company and its FINTRAC status, coordinate due diligence and transaction documentation, and assist with required corporate and regulatory updates on your behalf.
Existing Canadian Company
Acquire an established Canadian legal entity instead of forming a new company from the beginning.
Existing FINTRAC Registration
Start with a company that already has FINTRAC registration for specified money services and activities.
Legal and Corporate Acquisition Support
Receive support with due diligence, transaction documentation, share transfer and required corporate changes.
AML and Compliance Support
Receive support with AML controls, risk assessments, compliance documentation and required post-acquisition updates.
Available opportunities may differ by registered services, corporate history, FINTRAC status, acquisition terms and indicative pricing.
Timing depends on the selected MSB, due diligence, buyer documentation and required corporate, FINTRAC and compliance updates.
WHY CANADA?
A More Streamlined Regulatory Route for Certain Fintech Models
For eligible fintech businesses, Canada can offer a more streamlined regulatory route than PI, EMI, MiCA CASP or Swiss financial licensing.
The Canadian MSB framework focuses strongly on AML, reporting and ongoing compliance obligations. For businesses whose activities fall within the MSB framework, this can provide an attractive route for establishing a regulated fintech presence in Canada.
Clear Federal Framework
FINTRAC administers MSB registration at the federal level for businesses providing prescribed money services in Canada.
Streamlined Regulatory Route
For eligible business models, the Canadian MSB framework can offer a more straightforward regulatory path than PI, EMI, MiCA CASP or Swiss financial licensing.
Broad Fintech Use Cases
The framework can apply to money transfers, foreign exchange, virtual currency exchange and transfer services, depending on the activities performed.
The appropriate regulatory route depends on the services provided, target markets and business model.
Additional licences or registrations may still be required.
Acquire Your Canadian MSB in Three Steps
Complium provides legal, corporate and compliance support throughout the acquisition and post-acquisition process.
Request Available MSBsReview Suitable MSB Opportunities
We review your planned services, ownership structure and target markets and help identify suitable Canadian MSBs for acquisition.
Complete the MSB Acquisition
We support due diligence, transaction documentation, share transfer and the required ownership, director and management changes.
Complete Required MSB Updates
We prepare and submit required FINTRAC information updates on your behalf and help align AML controls with your business model.
KEY REQUIREMENTS
Key Requirements After Acquiring a Canadian MSB
Acquiring an existing Canadian MSB gives you an established corporate and regulatory starting point, but the company must be aligned with your ownership, business model and ongoing FINTRAC obligations.
Complium can assist with each of the key requirements following the acquisition.
Ownership & Corporate Updates
Changes to shareholders, beneficial owners, directors and senior management must be properly documented and reflected in the company’s corporate and regulatory information.
Complium can prepare and coordinate the required corporate changes and regulatory updates.
FINTRAC Information Updates
The company’s FINTRAC information must remain accurate and reflect its current ownership, management, locations, services and other applicable details.
Complium can prepare and submit required FINTRAC information updates on your behalf.
Compliance Officer
The MSB must maintain an appointed Compliance Officer responsible for implementing and maintaining its AML compliance framework.
Complium can assist with the Compliance Officer function, including outsourced compliance support where appropriate.
AML Policies & Risk Assessment
The MSB must maintain written AML policies, procedures and a risk assessment that reflect its actual products, customers, jurisdictions and business activities.
Complium can review and adapt the existing AML framework to your operating model.
KYC, Recordkeeping & Reporting
Appropriate client identification, beneficial ownership, recordkeeping, transaction monitoring and reporting procedures must be in place for the services provided.
Complium can help develop and document the required KYC, monitoring, recordkeeping and reporting procedures.
Training & Effectiveness Review
The AML compliance framework must remain current through ongoing training, periodic updates and effectiveness reviews.
Complium can provide AML training, effectiveness reviews and ongoing compliance support.
From ownership changes and FINTRAC updates to AML policies, Compliance Officer support and ongoing reviews, Complium can assist with the regulatory and compliance work required after acquisition.
COMPARE YOUR OPTIONS
Compare Canadian MSB
Registration Routes
Ready-Made MSB
Existing Canadian company + existing FINTRAC registration
Best for fintech businesses looking for the fastest route to establishing their Canadian MSB operations.
Potential timeline:
From 2 weeks
Main advantage:
Acquire an established Canadian MSB and move through ownership changes, FINTRAC updates and AML setup without building the corporate structure from scratch.
New Canadian MSB
New Canadian company + new FINTRAC registration
Best for businesses that want a Canadian company and compliance framework built specifically around their operating model.
Starting point:
New company and registration process
Main advantage:
Build the corporate and compliance structure around your business from the beginning.
Foreign MSB
Existing foreign company + FINTRAC registration
Best for eligible foreign businesses serving Canadian clients without establishing a place of business in Canada.
Starting point:
Existing foreign company
Main advantage:
Potential FINTRAC registration route without Canadian incorporation, subject to eligibility.
Timelines depend on the selected company, completion of due diligence, buyer documentation and required corporate, FINTRAC and compliance updates. A Ready-Made MSB does not guarantee banking, commercial onboarding or immediate operational approval.
WHY COMPLIUM
Independent Legal, Corporate and Compliance Support
Complium supports the full acquisition process, from reviewing suitable opportunities to completing the transaction and maintaining ongoing compliance.
Acquisition Opportunity Review
Identify Canadian MSB opportunities that may suit your planned services, ownership structure and target markets.
Legal and Regulatory Due Diligence
Review corporate records, ownership, liabilities, FINTRAC status and available compliance documentation.
Share Acquisition Support
Prepare and coordinate transaction documents required to acquire the company.
Corporate Updates
Support ownership, director and management changes following completion of the transaction.
FINTRAC and AML Support
Assist with required FINTRAC information updates on your behalf and help adapt AML controls to your operating model.
Ongoing Compliance Support
Provide ongoing support with regulatory reporting, training, effectiveness reviews and compliance updates after acquisition.
READY-MADE MSB ACQUISITION
One Team from Acquisition Review to Ongoing Compliance
Complium brings legal, corporate and compliance support together throughout the acquisition, from identifying suitable opportunities and completing due diligence to share transfer, FINTRAC updates and post-acquisition AML alignment.
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AML Compliance and Regulatory Reporting
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Canadian Corporate and Local-Presence Support
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Outsourced AML and KYC Functions
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Fintech Registration and Regulatory Support
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International Legal and Compliance Team
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Ongoing Compliance Advisory
Complium has delivered legal and compliance expertise since 2008, supporting more than 500 fintech and regulated projects across 46+ countries.
CONTACT US
Discuss Available Canadian MSB Opportunities
Tell us about your planned services, ownership structure and target markets. We will review your requirements and discuss suitable Canadian MSB opportunities and the legal, corporate and compliance support required for the acquisition.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Ready-Made MSB Acquisition FAQs
Practical answers for buyers assessing a Ready-Made Canadian MSB, including due diligence, acquisition steps, FINTRAC updates and post-acquisition compliance.
No.
FINTRAC is the Canadian authority responsible for MSB registration.
Complium is an independent legal, corporate and compliance services provider. We support clients with acquisition due diligence, transaction documentation, corporate changes, regulatory information updates and ongoing compliance.
Complium can provide information on Canadian MSBs currently available for share acquisition.
Availability depends on the company profile, registered services, corporate history and whether an opportunity has already been reserved or acquired.
Contact our team for current availability and indicative pricing.
A Ready-Made MSB is an existing Canadian company registered with FINTRAC as a Money Services Business and offered for share acquisition.
The company’s corporate history, liabilities, registration status, registered services and available compliance records must be reviewed before purchase.
No.
FINTRAC registration is not a licence, certificate or government endorsement.
The buyer acquires the company through a share transaction. The registration remains attached to the existing legal entity, subject to verification and any required information updates.
Where a suitable company is available and the buyer, seller and required documentation are ready, the share acquisition can sometimes be completed in as little as two weeks.
The overall timeline depends on due diligence, transaction documentation, corporate changes, FINTRAC information updates and the work required to align the AML framework before operations begin.
The review can include:
- corporate history and legal standing
- ownership and beneficial owners
- liabilities and contracts
- FINTRAC registration status
- registered money services
- available AML documentation
- compliance records
- suitability for the buyer’s planned activities
No.
Banks and payment partners conduct their own onboarding, compliance and risk assessments.
Complium can provide legal, corporate and compliance support with the onboarding file, but approval remains with the institution.
After completion, the company’s ownership, management, FINTRAC information and AML framework may need to be updated to reflect the buyer’s business model.
Complium can support the required corporate changes, prepare and submit FINTRAC information updates on your behalf, and help align the AML controls and compliance documentation with your planned activities.
