The Bahamas broker-dealer license online is a regulatory permit issued by the Securities Commission. The license registration allows businesses like yours to operate as a securities dealer with a physical office presence and a local director mandate.
With the Bahamas Broker-Dealer license online, you can deal, arrange, manage, or advise on securities either as an agent or market maker. Common activities include stocks, futures, options, contracts for difference, and forex (foreign exchange).
Enterslice’s consultants will assist you in registering your company, obtaining an address, hiring local compliance officers, preparing your financial statements, and providing legal and tax guidance.
Enjoy 0 % Corporate Tax Rate
No Capital Gains Tax
No Withholding Tax
No Estate/Inheritance Tax
100% Asset Protection
Used for Securities & Currency Trading and Portfolio Management
Now apply for a broker-dealer license in the Bahamas with Enterslice’s financial analysts in a market worth USD 4.84 billion. Let our consultants handle all the boring paperwork on your behalf.
The benefits of a Bahamas brokerage license include 100% ownership for non-residents, tax incentives, a business-friendly environment, and international recognition. Some key advantages are as follows:
You can retain as much profit as you can because there’s no corporate or capital gains tax in the Bahamas, enabling you to save and channelize money otherwise reduced as tax liability.
As a company with a Bahamas broker-dealer license online, you can establish a distinct business standing in the international market across various jurisdictions. It is one of the merits of the Bahamas Brokerage license.
With the recognition by the Securities Commission of the Bahamas for compliance, you can enhance credibility in the market amongst the investors and clients. It is one of the advantages of getting a Bahamas Brokerage License.
You can freely repatriate your capital gains and profits as a non-resident investor in foreign currency. Global money transfer and banking are simplified after securing a Bahamas broker-dealer license online.
Shareholders and directors can use nominee services to maintain confidentiality and information privacy. Only the authorities can access your data, and it is not accessible to the public. It is one of the merits of a Bahamas broker-dealer license.
The Bahama broker-dealer license offers a comprehensive license, which enables its holders to trade in multiple derivatives, including cryptocurrency, thereby reducing complexity and promoting streamlined processes.
Are you ready to venture into securities and forex? Join hands with Enterslice and understand how to apply for a broker-dealer license in the Bahamas, as explained below:
Our associates will prepare your MOA and AOA to incorporate your company in the Bahamas. At least two directors are required for registration with the Registrar General’s Department. We'll also assist you in opening a corporate bank account.
It is mandatory to appoint a resident as directors and compliance officers for obtaining a broker-dealer license in the Bahamas, so we’ll assist you in connecting with like-minded and experienced Bahamian residents via our networks.
There's a mandatory requirement to have a physical office in the Bahamas if you’re seeking opportunities in the securities and forex markets. So, we’ll assist you in setting up an office in the best hubs like the Grand Bahama FTZ.
Our associates will assist you in preparing documents like business plans, audited financial statements, compliance manuals, AML-KYC policies, and passport proofs.
We’ll make the application to the Securities Commission of the Bahamas with mandatory paperwork and required fees of USD 1500.
The SCB will examine your application for broker-dealer license in the Bahamas and raise queries regarding your compliance with documents, capital adequacy, or ownership (if required). Our legal team will coordinate with them and answer all their questions to provide a smooth Bahamas broker-dealer license.
The authority will issue a conditional approval; in the meantime, we’ll help you obtain professional indemnity insurance (PII) and prepare your office lease agreements. A PII must be obtained via a Bahamian or global insurer like AXA, Zurich, or QBE. The most common annual premium amount is between USD 5,000 and 15,000.
We'll assist you in appointing an SCB-recognized auditor, mostly from a Bahamas-based audit firm or any reputable global firm in the Caribbean. Currently, we have a network of 50+ international firms.
Submit the insurance certificate and related pending paperwork, as requested by the Securities Commission of the Bahamas. If all conditions are met for Bahamas broker-dealer license, then the authority will ask you to pay the prescribed fees as per your broker-dealer license before granting you the final authorization.
Once you’ve received the relevant Bahamas broker-dealer license online, then we’ll assist you in setting up a forex bank account in top-rated banks like Bank Frick, HGV bank, LMAX Prime, Fidelity Bank, and CIBC Caribbean Bank (Bahamas) Limited.
Worried about hurdles in the path of getting a Bahamas broker-dealer license?
The process to obtain a Bahamas Broker-Dealer license online typically takes 2 to 4 months. It is subject to regulatory review and fulfilment of all compliance needs. The stepwise timeline is mentioned below-
It takes 5 to 7 days for company registration in the Bahamas. It includes company incorporation and corporate bank account opening.
It includes appointment of the director, capital adequacy confirmation, and appointment of a compliance officer.
It includes preparation of business model and financial projections and drafting AML-CFT manuals and KYC policies.
It includes filing the application with required documents. The fees is paid to the Securities Commission of the Bahamas (SCB).
It includes regulatory review of the submitted documents for Bahamas Broker-Dealer license.
It includes procurement of professional indemnity insurance. Besides this, it comprises appointment of an approved auditor.
It includes verification of insurance coverage, auditor background check, and eventually issuance of Bahamas Broker-Dealer License.
The documents required for a Bahamas broker-dealer license online are as follows:
A copy of the company registration certificate
Passport copies of key personnel
Police verification certificate
Lease or rental agreement as a physical address
Value Added Tax Registration
National Insurance Board Card of the entity
Bahamas Investment Authority approval (if needed)
Paid-up capital deposit statement
Audited Financial Statement of the last 3 years
Identification of the auditors and AML/Compliance officers
Resolution by the board of directors
A copy of the business plan & organization structure
AML and KYC policies
CV of all managerial and compliance personnel
Your work is not over after obtaining the Bahamas broker-dealer license; you must also fulfil certain compliance obligations like strict adherence to AML/CFT laws, filing financial returns, and maintaining capital adequacy. Checkout how Enterslice will assist you with compliance requirements for getting a Bahamas broker-dealer license:
The various types of activities under the Bahamas broker-dealer license online are as follows:
You can only execute trades on behalf of your clients. Complete restriction on advisory and discretionary trading. A minimum of USD 100,000 paid-up capital is required for license registration.
Under this activity, you can deal with your own account as a principal in the form of market making and prop trading. You can bridge the gap between buyers and sellers to maintain liquidity. Minimum capital required is USD 300,000.
This involves providing investment advisory services on various transaction aspects via the Bahamas brokerage license. You can recommend trades to your clients, but you cannot execute them on their behalf. At least 300,000 is required as adequate capital for the permit.
If you’re looking to manage client funds and make investment decisions based on your own analysis, then you must list portfolio management in your application form for the Bahamas broker-dealer license. A minimum of USD 300,000 to 500,000 is required as capital investment. Common examples include PAMM/MAM accounts and trading strategies.
Cryptocurrency and digital assets are dealt in the form of tokenized assets and securities that represent bonds, equities, and investment funds. You must have a capital between USD 300,000 and 500,000, depending on the risk.
The key criteria for a Bahamas broker-dealer license online are as follows:
The capital requirements for a Bahamas brokerage license are different for each activity, as mentioned below:
Get your Bahamas Broker-Dealer License online with seamless guidance & support.
We are the world’s top-rated LegalTech service provider with 15+ years of proven experience. Join hands with Enterslice to tackle the complex process of obtaining a broker-dealer license in the Bahamas, with its network of 10,000+ professionals. The key reasons to partner with us are as follows:
Yes, it is mandatory to appoint at least one Bahamian resident as managing director or CEO to fulfil compliance with the Securities Commission (SCB).
The list of documents includes the company registration certificate, passport copy, fit & proper KYC of key directors, compliance manual, professional CVs of all employees, business plan, financial projections, AML/CFT policies, and cybersecurity infrastructure.
Yes, the Bahamas has no income or capital gains tax, which is beneficial for investors and businesses looking to enter the broker-dealer securities market.
Yes, a physical address is compulsory if you’re planning to obtain the Bahama broker-dealer license. It can be a lease or rental, depending on your funding availability. Book a consultation and find out where you can lease or rent an office in the Bahamas.
The Bahamas broker-dealer license can cover services like agents only, principal/market match, portfolio management, advisory, and cryptocurrency services.
The Securities Commission of the Bahamas is the regulatory authority that is responsible for approving the broker-dealer license permit, professional indemnity insurance, and auditor appointment.
The entire process of obtaining a Bahamas broker-dealer license, starting from initial company incorporation to conditional approval and insurance, takes around 2 to 4 months. The company is registered within 5 to 7 days.
Yes, as a foreign national, you’re required to appoint a resident as your company’s compliance officer if you’re operating as a Bahamas brokerage service provider.
Agents only need USD 100,000, and market maker activity needs 300,000. Businesses opting for portfolio management/crypto must have anything between USD 300,000 and 500,000.
-- Testimonials
“I needed to register an offshore company in the Bahamas and wasn’t sure where to begin. Enterslice helped from day one offering clear guidance, no jargon, and they handled the paperwork smoothly. I’m happy with how it turned out.”
Verified Customer
“I had some specific requirements around nominee services and structure for setting up my business in Bahamas. Enterslice listened carefully and gave me options instead of a one fit all answer. That really stood out to me.”
Verified Customer
“It took a couple of weeks to completely setup my business in Bahamas, but I never felt out of the loop. The Enterslice team stayed in touch and explained things clearly when I had questions. Smooth process overall.”
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