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EU financial institutions face heavy fines for AML breaches. Imagine: your cross-border group risks similar losses because of unsynchronized AML compliance programs when national regulators diverge in their interpretations of the EU AML package. Are you ready for AMLA supervision, which from 2028 will directly inspect the AML of 40 high-risk obliged entities? In this […]

Over the past two years I have increasingly seen the same scenario: a stable, profitable investment company suddenly gets refused account opening in the Czech Republic, or a bank, without warning, initiates the closure of accounts in the Czech Republic and freezes operations. In one recent case a client received refusals from three Czech banks […]

According to European regulators, the fine for unlicensed crypto services in several EU countries already reaches 5% of annual turnover or a fixed threshold of several million euros, and in certain cases an additional double profit penalty is applied — recovery in the double amount of the profit extracted. In COREDO we have seen how […]

A ready-made company or registration from scratch in 2026 are two approaches to creating a business: a quick start with an already established legal entity or the full process starting from initial registration. Choosing between a ready-made company and registering in 2026 Which is more advantageous in 2026 — a ready-made company with a history […]

Over recent years in the EU, the share of inspections triggered not "as scheduled" but by risk signals has exceeded planned inspections in sensitive sectors - finance, logistics, IT services and B2B services. For business this means one simple thing: unplanned inspections have become the result not of chance, but of specific risk indicators that […]

Over the past two years I have repeatedly seen the same scenario: a strong team, a convincing whitepaper, investor interest — and frozen accounts six months after launch. The reason in most such cases is the same: the wrong jurisdiction was chosen for the crypto project from the start, one that ignores regulatory requirements, sanction […]

In 2023–2024 global regulators imposed heavy fines for AML violations/CFT: aggregate amounts for banks and fintechs were measured in billions of dollars per year. At the same time, the EU is launching a single AMLR (EU AML Regulation, Single Rulebook) and creating the supranational AML agency AMLA, while in Asia and the CIS regulators are […]

The statistics of major international disputes over payments in trade and investments consistently remain at the level of tens of billions of dollars annually, according to European and Asian tribunals. Each such dispute is a frozen cash flow, a lost ROI, and a risk that is managed but not controlled. I regularly see the same […]

According to international regulators' estimates, the global market for payments and digital financial services already accounts for trillions in turnover, and the share of transactions through Money Services Business (MSB) structures is growing at double-digit rates annually. At the same time, requirements for AML/KYC, reporting on suspicious transactions and transparency of business owners are being […]

Imagine: you have just closed a $100 million deal, but six months later half the proceeds go to taxes and fines because of an error in the fund's structure. Many new Private Equity funds face serious legal and tax issues in their first years, and the wrong choice of jurisdiction is a common reason. This […]

Over recent years EU regulators have called the real estate sector one of the key channels for money laundering: according to the European Commission's estimates, up to a quarter of major AML cases are linked to property purchases through convoluted structures and nominee beneficiaries. In several European jurisdictions the share of suspicious real estate transactions, […]

Over the past two years COREDO's clients have most often asked me the same question: "Is it possible today to build an international structure that is both efficient and still passes all beneficiary checks in Europe?" Against the backdrop of the EU steadily tightening AML requirements and introducing new rules by 2025, this question becomes […]

Over the past three years the COREDO team has been seeing the same scenario more and more often: an IT company with annual revenue of 10–30 million spends up to 9–12 months changing jurisdiction, and two years later is forced to start the process again due to changes in tax regulation and AML requirements. By […]

EU and Swiss crypto regulation in 2026: a choice between strictness and flexibility In 2026 cryptocurrency legislation in Europe and Switzerland enters a new phase: digital assets cease to be a “gray area” and are integrated into the traditional financial system at the level of laws, reporting standards, and supervision. Entrepreneurs face a choice: register […]

When the COREDO team began actively supporting fintech clients in Switzerland, one figure surprised me: according to the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority (FINMA), more than half of licensing applications are returned for revision precisely because of weak compliance procedures and poorly thought‑out risk management. Against this background, Switzerland retains its status as one of […]

According to the ČNB and European regulators, in recent years the volume of assets under management by collective investment structures in the Czech Republic has been steadily growing at double-digit rates, and the share of cross-border investments through local structures within the EU and beyond is becoming one of the drivers of that growth. For […]

In 2024–2025, more than half of crypto projects in the EU are reassessing their jurisdiction and licensing model due to the entry into force of the Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) Regulation and the new Digital Operational Resilience rules (DORA). For some players this means losing a market, for others the opportunity to obtain a pan‑European […]

According to the European Banking Authority, in recent years the number of licensed Electronic Money Institutions in the EU has grown many times over, and competition for customers in cross‑border payments has become tougher than in the traditional banking market. Against this background choice of jurisdiction for an EMI license has ceased to be a […]

Imagine the situation: you launched a successful payment service, serve thousands of customers, and suddenly receive a letter from the regulator demanding that all processes be brought into compliance with new standards. Fines for non-compliance reach millions of euros, and adaptation deadlines are measured in weeks. This is not a hypothesis — it is the […]

In 2025 Spain became one of the most attractive markets in Europe for international entrepreneurs: according to EY's Europe Attractiveness Survey 2025, foreign investors announced 351 projects in Spain in 2024 (+15%), fourth in Europe. Nevertheless, many companies face legal risks already at the registration stage and during scaling and entering new markets. Why do […]

In 2025 Poland is showing one of the highest growth rates in the number of new companies in the EU: in just the past year more than 400,000 new legal entities were registered here (according to GUS and Eurostat). But behind this statistic lies a different reality: over 60% of foreign entrepreneurs encounter legal barriers […]

A BaFin licence is what you need to provide payment, crypto, investment or banking services in Germany lawfully. Legally, it is an authorisation (Erlaubnis) from the Federal Financial Supervisory Authority, BaFin. Which authorisation your project needs depends on the services you plan to provide. Where should a fintech founder from another country start? First, determine […]

Myth of "zero taxes" in Estonia is actively discussed among entrepreneurs, but behind this loud name lies a feature of the local tax system, not a complete absence of fiscal obligations. To understand what you need to know about the real taxation mechanisms in the country, it's important to figure out how the deferred taxation […]

Many international investors enter the EU through jurisdictions with a transparent tax system and flexible corporate regulation - and Cyprus is one of them. But behind this success lies a paradox: many entrepreneurs entering the Cypriot market for the first time face costly legal and compliance barriers. How to avoid the pitfalls and turn Cyprus […]

In 2025 the global financial services market is undergoing tectonic shifts, with cross-border payments and fintech at the centre. But behind these opportunities lies a harsh reality: many international startups face regulatory rejections at the licensing stage or suffer significant reputational damage due to compliance errors. Why do some companies confidently scale in the EU, […]

Weak AML and KYC controls and insufficient verification of EU counterparties can lead to regulatory fines and frozen corporate accounts. These risks signal fundamental changes in approaches to legal support for EU business and company registration in the EU. Today no company operating in cross-border chains can afford to ignore Due Diligence in the EU. […]

Liechtenstein stands out in Europe for economic stability and banking security: a sovereign credit rating of AAA, minimal public debt, and the share of foreign investment continues to grow even amid global turbulence. But why, despite its compact size, is this country becoming a strategic choice for entrepreneurs from Europe, Asia and the CIS who […]

In 2025 Cyprus continues to attract financial companies, especially in the electronic money and payment services segment. Why do so many entrepreneurs from the EU, Asia and the CIS choose Cyprus specifically to register financial companies? The answer lies in a unique combination of factors: Access to the EU market: Cypriot financial license opens a […]

In 2025 Greece attracts entrepreneurs not only with its ancient history. Why do entrepreneurs from Europe, Asia and the CIS choose to start businesses in Greece? The answer lies in a combination of tax incentives, access to the EU market and the steady liberalization of procedures. For many of our clients at COREDO, Greece becomes […]

When it comes to vetting crypto projects, the statistics are sobering: according to Chainalysis, in 2024 more than $1.7 billion was lost by investors due to unscrupulous or technically vulnerable blockchain startups. Even more telling: about 70% of cryptocurrency listing applications on major exchanges are rejected precisely because of errors or inconsistencies discovered during the […]

In 2025, many international companies operating in Europe and Asia choose the United Kingdom to open corporate accounts: despite tightening banking procedures and increasing requirements for transaction transparency. Why is business eager to enter the British banking system? The answer lies not only in the prestige of the jurisdiction but also in strategic advantages: access […]

Many European B2B and B2C customers choose licensed services rather than unlicensed ones. This reflects not only the level of trust in regulated companies but also the market's growing demands for transparency, sustainability, and the protection of clients' interests. In 2025, obtaining an EU financial license is not just a question of legality but a […]

In conditions where the European capital market is becoming increasingly competitive and regulated, the cost of a mistake — lost months, hundreds of thousands of euros, and reputational risks — is difficult to remediate. Are you sure you're ready to go down this path without a strategic partner? In this article I, Nikita Veremeev, CEO […]

In 2026 the CySEC license becomes not just a formal tool for entering the European market, but a strategic asset for financial companies seeking international growth. The market is becoming more complex, requirements for transparency and compliance are tightening, and competition for clients' trust is taking new forms. Why does obtaining a Cypriot license raise […]

For companies operating in the EU, this is not only a legal obligation but also a key factor of trust from partners, banks and investors. The practice of COREDO confirms: the absence of transparent Customer Due Diligence (CDD) procedures and an ineffective risk-based approach lead to account freezes, denial of service and even criminal liability. […]

Hundreds of millions of non-cash payments are made every day in the euro area alone, and the fintech market keeps growing. In such a market, a payment license becomes not just a formality but a strategic asset for any business working with digital money and cross-border transactions. A PSP (Payment Service Provider) license is a […]

When COREDO advises international companies on the registration of legal entities and financial licensing, one of the first priorities is building an effective compliance system. By compliance I mean not only formal adherence to the law, but also a set of internal procedures that ensure a business's transparency, ethical conduct, and sustainability. A compliance audit […]

In 2026 the European financial sector will face the most extensive regulatory overhaul in the last decade. Supervisory attention to AML violations keeps growing, which indicates that previous approaches to compliance and risk management are ceasing to work under the new conditions. Today entrepreneurs face increasing regulatory complexity, the need to quickly adapt to changes, […]

Austria is a popular EU entry point for international companies. The Austrian market shows steady GDP growth, and the country is among the top 10 for business transparency in Europe. But behind these figures lies a real dilemma for an entrepreneur: how to open a business in Austria quickly, legally and taking into account all […]

In 2024 global fines for non-compliance with anti-money laundering (AML) laws totalled $4.6 billion. Companies with insufficient AML compliance in Europe and Asia also face account freezes or refusals to register legal entities. This fact is not just surprising: it prompts the question: why are even major players vulnerable to regulators? How can you avoid […]

In 2025 the market for investment platforms is undergoing a transformation comparable in scale to the digital revolution in the banking sector. New investment platforms in the EU and Asia can face regulatory barriers already at the registration stage, and mistakes in choosing the licensing format or compliance can make a project fail. Why, despite […]

Imagine that you can register a company in the EU that will become your reliable shield for international business, provide access to European markets, and allow you to optimize taxes on a lawful basis. This is not fiction: it is a reality for thousands of entrepreneurs who choose incorporation in Luxembourg. But behind this success […]

Imagine that you are ready to complete a major merger or acquisition deal, having spent months on negotiations, financial analysis and business valuation. And at the very last moment it turns out that the target company has hidden lawsuits that could cost you millions. M&A deals can encounter serious legal surprises after closing that directly […]

Behind every anti-money-laundering fine are frozen accounts, loss of access to international payments, blocked transactions and, most importantly, severe reputational costs that can be fatal to a business. Companies registered under § 15 of the Czech Act on Investment Companies and Investment Funds (ZISIF; referred to here as “ZISIF15” companies), operating at the intersection of […]

Regulators in the EU and beyond are scrutinising crypto projects ever more closely. Under MiCA, an application for authorisation to issue an asset-referenced token must even include a legal opinion on the token's status. How do you structure a business so as not to become one of those who lose investments and partners' trust because […]

In 2025, the Czech Republic once again confirms its status as one of the most attractive jurisdictions for international investors. But behind this status lies a much deeper question: why is the Czech Republic becoming the strategic choice for those who build a business aimed at long-term tax efficiency and transparency? Many entrepreneurs face a […]

A payment system license is an official authorizing document issued by a financial regulator (the central bank or a specialized authority) that confirms the right of a payment system operator or payment gateway to carry out licensed payment operations, hold and process clients' funds, and issue electronic money. It is based on the regulatory framework […]

ZISIF §15 is not a fund but a special status of a legal person under § 15 of Act No. 240/2013 Sb. (ZISIF). Such a person is not authorised to manage investment funds, but it manages assets collected from investors for joint investment under a defined strategy. To do so, it is entered in the […]

Imagine the situation: you are ready to launch an investment fund, raise capital from European investors and start operating across the European Union. But here's the problem - registering a Private Equity fund in the EU requires simultaneously complying with national regulators' requirements, the AIFMD directive, AML/KYC standards and banking criteria, which have tightened many […]

Legal Opinion is an official legal opinion prepared by a qualified lawyer, containing an analysis of the company's legal position on a specific issue: from capital structure to compliance with AML requirements and financial regulation. Unlike a consultation or an audit, a Legal Opinion has legal force and is accepted by regulators, banks and investors […]