As global regulators tighten oversight of offshore financial activity, pricing transparency has emerged as a key differentiator between credible jurisdictions and high-risk licensing destinations. In this context, the Bougainville Offshore Financial Authority (BOFA) has published its official schedule of authority fees, covering corporate, financial services, virtual assets, trusts, and online gaming.
The move positions Bougainville as a jurisdiction seeking to balance regulatory discipline with commercial clarity, particularly for fintech firms, digital asset platforms, and cross-border financial service providers evaluating offshore options .
Fixed Fees as a Regulatory Signal
Unlike opaque or negotiable pricing models seen in some offshore centres, BOFA’s framework is based on fixed, published authority fees that apply uniformly to all applicants. This approach reduces regulatory arbitrage, improves predictability for businesses, and aligns with international expectations around governance and fairness.
For founders and operators, knowing the true cost of licensing upfront has become critical, especially in regulated sectors such as crypto exchanges, brokerage firms, and online gaming platforms.
Overview of Key Licence Costs
BOFA’s published fees span multiple categories:
Corporate Formation
- Company formation (Year 1): USD 1,300
- Annual renewal: USD 600
Brokerage & Investment Management
- Brokerage licence: USD 20,000 per year
- Investment management licence: USD 20,000 per year
Crypto & Virtual Asset Service Providers (VASPs)
- VASP licence: USD 5,500 per year
Trust & Corporate Services
- Trust or corporate services licence: USD 20,000 per year
Banking & Payment Institutions
- General banking licence: USD 30,000 per year
- Restricted / EMI licence: USD 23,000 per year
Late payment penalties are also clearly defined, reinforcing compliance discipline across all licence types.
Why This Matters for Tech, Crypto, and Gaming Companies
For technology-driven businesses operating across borders, regulatory risk is no longer limited to compliance alone; it extends to cost volatility, unclear renewal terms, and hidden fees.
BOFA’s approach reflects a broader trend:
- Clear fee disclosure reduces onboarding friction
- Predictable renewals support long-term planning
- Fixed pricing limits discretionary enforcement risk
This is particularly relevant for crypto exchanges, payment platforms, and iGaming operators, where investor confidence and banking relationships increasingly depend on the credibility of the licensing jurisdiction.
Competing in a Crowded Offshore Market
With jurisdictions such as Mauritius, Labuan, Seychelles, and Curaçao competing for fintech and gaming licences, Bougainville’s strategy appears to focus on:
- Moderate entry costs
- Broad licence coverage under a single authority
- Clear separation between regulatory fees and private service costs
For early-stage ventures and scaling platforms alike, this clarity can be as important as the licence itself.
Final Thoughts
As regulators worldwide face pressure to clean up offshore finance without stifling innovation, transparent pricing frameworks may become a defining standard. BOFA’s publication of its full fee schedule signals an intent to compete not on opacity, but on clarity, structure, and regulatory confidence.
For companies evaluating offshore jurisdictions in 2026 and beyond, the message is clear: knowing the rules, and the price, matters more than ever.
