FINTRAC Money Services Business (MSB) registration is required for companies dealing in foreign exchange, money transfers, virtual currencies and related services in Canada or for Canadian clients. Getting it from scratch takes months; a ready-made company with an active registration saves that time.
What to know about MSB
- It is a registration, not a licence. FINTRAC states that registration is not an endorsement of the business. Banks and partners still run their own checks.
- Two-year term. The registration must be renewed.
- Changes must be reported. FINTRAC must be told about changes to owners, directors and other details within the set deadline.
- An AML programme is mandatory. A compliance officer, risk assessment, client KYC, large and suspicious transaction reports.
- Quebec is separate. Serving Quebec needs a separate provincial licence.
Companies in stock
| Company | Registration | Scope |
|---|---|---|
| Ontario, 2026 | FINTRAC, July 2026 | FX, transfers, crypto |
| Ontario, Q1 2026 | FINTRAC to 2029 | FX, PSP, transfers, crypto |
| British Columbia, 2026 | FINTRAC, September 2026 | FX, transfers, crypto |
| Ontario, MSB N30000868 | FINTRAC to 2028 | FX, transfers, crypto, PSP, cheques |
How the purchase works
- check the FINTRAC public registry entry and the provincial corporate registry;
- review corporate documents, the AML programme and activity history;
- buyer KYC and agreeing the deal structure;
- change of owner and directors, FINTRAC notification;
- appoint a compliance officer and start AML processes.
Can a Canadian MSB open a bank account?
Yes, but banks and EMIs scrutinise MSBs. You need an AML programme, a clear business model and an experienced team. We help with banks or EMIs and payment solutions.
Is a Canadian-resident director required?
Federal corporations and some provinces have director residency rules. We check them for the specific company before the deal.
Current companies, prices and status are in the ready-made companies catalogue: Canada. Before a deal we request the registry extract and the seller's documents, check debts and filings and handle the change of ownership. More about the service: ready-made companies, turnkey.