ANJOUAN: A SAFE HARBOR FOR FINTECH AND GAMBLING. A COMPLETE GUIDE TO THE JURISDICTION

KEY ADVANTAGES OF THE JURISDICTION

The jurisdiction of Anjouan has several features that make it attractive to entrepreneurs:

• Timeline: Registration of an IBC (International Business Company) takes up to 5 working days.

• Confidentiality: The register of directors and shareholders is not public (though data is available to the regulator upon request).

• Tax Optimization: 0% tax on profits, dividends, and capital gains for income derived from outside the jurisdiction.

• Minimal Bureaucracy: No requirements for local residency of directors or a physical office on the island (a registered address is sufficient).

COMPANY REGISTRATION IN ANJOUAN

The most common form of company in the jurisdiction is the International Business Company (IBC). An IBC is established to conduct international business outside the territory of the Comoros.

Key requirements for IBC registration

• Minimum 1 director and 1 shareholder (may be non-residents).

• The standard nominal authorized capital is usually around 50,000 USD. However, full payment of the capital is generally not required.

Documents for registration

To register a company, the following documents must be prepared:

• A copy of the director’s and shareholder’s passport.

• Proof of residential address.

• Registration forms.

• Articles and Memorandum of Association. In some cases, additional documents may be required, such as a bank reference or a business description.

LICENSES IN THE ANJOUAN JURISDICTION

In addition to company registration, the jurisdiction is famous for the possibility of obtaining licenses for specific types of business. The most common licenses include: gambling licenses, licenses for forex brokers, cryptocurrency licenses, and financial services licenses.

ANJOUAN GAMBLING LICENSE

Anjouan has become one of the leaders in the offshore gambling market thanks to its “single” licensing model: one license covers all types of games (casinos, betting, lotteries). However, a key feature of the jurisdiction is the strict separation of licenses depending on the company’s role in the business chain. To operate legally in Anjouan, one must clearly define the business format, as these are two separate licenses requiring different application procedures.

1. B2C License (Business-to-Consumer)

This license is intended for operators who work directly with end-users.

• For whom: Owners of online casinos, bookmakers, poker rooms, and lottery websites.

• What it provides: The right to attract users, accept deposits, process winnings, and promote a gaming brand under the domain specified in the license.

• Features: The regulator checks not only the corporate structure but also Responsible Gaming rules, refund policies, and the fairness of the algorithms used (RNG).

2. B2B License (Business-to-Business)

A license for those who create infrastructure and provide tools for operators.

• For whom: Developers of gaming software (slots, table games), platform providers (White Label), game aggregator providers, and live broadcast suppliers.

• What it provides: The right to legally sell software products and services to B2C operators.

• Features: The primary focus during the audit is on technical stability, data transmission security, and software certification. Holding an Anjouan B2B license significantly simplifies the integration process with operators who are also licensed in this jurisdiction.

FOREX LICENSES

Anjouan also offers licenses for companies providing online trading services. Such licenses allow brokers to:

• Provide access to the foreign exchange market.

• Offer CFD trading.

• Serve international clients.

CRYPTOCURRENCY LICENSES

With the development of the blockchain industry, some companies use this jurisdiction to register crypto projects. These may include:

• Cryptocurrency exchanges.

• Payment services.

• Crypto wallets.

• Blockchain platforms.

TAX REGIME

One of the reasons for Anjouan’s popularity is its favorable tax regime. For international companies, the following conditions typically apply:

• No corporate tax.

• No tax on dividends.

• No capital gains tax.

However, taxation may arise in the countries where the company’s activities are actually carried out.

THE OTHER SIDE: CHALLENGES AND RISKS

Despite the obvious advantages in speed and cost, working with Anjouan requires a deep understanding of regulatory restrictions and international compliance specifics.

Market Restrictions (Mandatory GEO-blocking)

 An Anjouan license is not a permit for global activity without limits. The regulator sets a strict list of Prohibited Jurisdictions. A geo-blocking tool must be integrated into the licensee’s software. Prohibited markets include:

• Countries with strict internal regulation: USA, UK, Austria, France, Germany, Spain, Netherlands.

• Specific territories: Belize, Comoros, St. Eustatius, Sint Maarten.

• International sanction lists: All countries on the FATF “black list” and any other jurisdictions as directed by the Anjouan regulator. Violation of these requirements leads to immediate license revocation.

Banking Compliance and Settlement Infrastructure

Offshore company status imposes natural limitations on working with the classical banking sector. Opening accounts in Tier-1 banks (Europe, USA) for Anjouan structures is practically impossible due to de-risking policies. Neo-banks and Electronic Money Institutions (EMIs) in loyal jurisdictions (Lithuania, UK, Hong Kong) become the primary tools for operational activity.

WHY CHOOSE US

Registering a company and obtaining a license is only 30% of the success. The remaining 70% depends on how viable your corporate structure is in the eyes of financial institutions and regulators.

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