ARAIB-20: PASS
ZAF
🇿🇦[ZAF]//SOUTH AFRICA STATUTE DESK
South Africa VASP & Exchange Licensing Requirements (2026 Statutory Guide)
JURISDICTION: South Africa
SCHEMA: GovernmentPermit
STATUS: ENACTED BINDING LAW
AUDIT AS-OF: 2026-10-04
Official authorization procedures, incorporation rules, and regulatory capital requirements for virtual asset service providers.
Operational Meaning in Practice
Crypto Asset Service Providers (CASPs) must hold a Category I or II Financial Services Provider (FSP) license under the FAIS Act 2002, adhering to General Code of Conduct and Fit and Proper standards.
Entities Affected
- Crypto Exchanges
- Brokers
- Financial Advisors
- Custodians
Statutory Evolution
FSCA General Notice 1350 of 2022 declared crypto assets as financial products under Section 1(1) of the FAIS Act.
Statutory Licensing & Governance Tree
Supervising Regulator(s)
Financial Sector Conduct AuthorityFSCA
South African Reserve BankSARB
Financial Intelligence Centre South AfricaFIC
South African Revenue ServiceSARS
Primary Enacted Statute / Gazette
Directive 9 on Travel Rule Implementation
REF: FIC Directive 9
EFFECTIVE: 2023-04-14 / STATUS: enacted_binding
Audited Permission States
Fiat Crypto BrokeragePermitted
FAIS Fit and Proper requirements apply
Verbatim Statutory Evidence (Ground Truth)
GN 1350 of 2022 / Schedule Section 1, Page 2
“A crypto asset is hereby declared as a financial product for the purposes of the Financial Advisory and Intermediary Services Act, 2002 (FAIS Act).”
Source: Declaration of a Crypto Asset as a Financial Product
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