Centralized exchange in Liechtenstein

Definition under TVTG: A "VT Exchange Service Provider" is a person who facilitates the exchange of VT Tokens against fiat currencies or other VT Tokens. This covers traditional cryptocurrency exchanges.

Requirement: Registration with the FMA as a VT Exchange Service Provider is mandatory.

Definition of TT Custodian: According to Art. 4 para. 1 lit. e TVTG, a TT Custodian is "a service provider who holds tokens in custody for third parties and provides services for the safeguarding of private keys or other means of access to tokens."

Licensing Process: Any entity wishing to act as a TT Custodian must obtain prior authorization from the FMA. The requirements for obtaining a license as a TT Service Provider are outlined in Articles 12-17 of the TVTG and include:

Minimum Capital Requirements: As per Art. 17 TVTG, TT Service Providers, including TT Custodians, must have a minimum capital of CHF 100,000. The FMA may require higher capital based on the scope and risk of the services provided.

Duty of Care Regarding Third-Party Tokens: Art. 23 TVTG stipulates that a TT Custodian must take all necessary measures to protect the tokens against loss, theft, or misuse, and to ensure that they can always be identified and returned to the respective owner.

Identification and Return: This implicitly requires that the custodian must be able to clearly distinguish client assets from their own assets and from the assets of other clients. In practice, this leads to the implementation of technical and organizational measures for segregation, such as separate omnibus wallets per client or a sophisticated internal ledger system that tracks individual ownership within shared wallets, coupled with a robust reconciliation process.

Insolvency Protection: The segregation of client assets ensures that in the event of the custodian's insolvency, client assets are not part of the insolvency estate and can be returned to their rightful owners.

Security Measures: Art. 23 TVTG requires TT Custodians to implement "appropriate measures to protect the tokens against loss, theft or misuse." This broad requirement implies that custodians must employ state-of-the-art security practices suitable for the digital assets they hold.

Law on Professional Due Diligence for the Prevention of Money Laundering, Organised Crime and Terrorist Financing (Due Diligence Act, Sorgfaltspflichtgesetz - SPG): This is the overarching AML/CFT law that sets out the due diligence obligations for all financial intermediaries, including VASPs.

Identification and Verification of the Customer and UBO:

Screening: Customers and their UBOs must be screened against national and international sanction lists (e.g., UN, EU, OFAC) and politically exposed persons (PEP) lists.

Source of Funds (SoF) / Source of Wealth (SoW):

Understanding the Purpose and Intended Nature of the Business Relationship:

VASPs must continuously monitor the business relationship, including transactions, to ensure that the activities are consistent with their knowledge of the customer, their business, and risk profile.

Entity Targeted: Various companies identified for unauthorized operation, often involving crypto/token offerings. (Specific company names are usually listed on the FMA's warning page, which is regularly updated). Violation Type: Operating financial services or token services without the necessary license under the TVTG or other relevant financial market laws, often coupled with allegations of scams or misleading information. Penalty Amount: Not a direct monetary fine imposed by the FMA in this context, but rather a public warning and expectation of cessation of activity. Failure to comply can lead to further legal action. Outcome: Public notification of unauthorized activity, demand for cessation of operations in Liechtenstein, consumer protection.

Entity Targeted: Licensed TVTG service providers or other financial institutions. (Specific names are not always publicly disclosed for every action, but the FMA's annual reports provide aggregated data). Violation Type: Non-compliance with the TVTG, Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorist Financing (AML/CFT) regulations, or other prudential requirements. Penalty Amount: Not a direct public monetary fine, but the severe penalty of loss of operating license, resulting in the inability to conduct regulated activities in Liechtenstein. This represents significant financial loss and reputational damage for the entity. Outcome: Withdrawal of authorization, cessation of regulated activities, safeguarding market integrity.

Outcome: Public notification of unauthorized activity, demand for cessation of operations in Liechtenstein, consumer protection.

Outcome: Withdrawal of authorization, cessation of regulated activities, safeguarding market integrity.

MiCA Implementation: MiCA is a comprehensive EU regulation for crypto-assets that will become fully applicable in phases, with most provisions for crypto-asset service providers (CASPs) applying from December 30, 2024.

FMA Discretion: The FMA, during the licensing process or ongoing supervision, has the authority to impose additional conditions or requirements if deemed necessary to ensure the protection of clients and the stability of the financial market.

FMA Guidelines: The Financial Market Authority (FMA) Liechtenstein issues various guidelines and circulars to provide practical guidance on the implementation of AML/CFT obligations, including specific guidance for TT Service Providers.