The Bahamas · SCB · Regulated
Bahamas broker-dealer licence and MT5 for serious brokers
The Bahamas combines a respected regulator, no corporate income tax and a modern securities law. With our Nassau-based partner we structure the broker-dealer, file with the SCB including CFD approval, provide the required officers and office, and prepare your MetaQuotes file.
Updated
- Broker-dealer under the Securities Industry Act 2024
- CFD product approval
- Officers and physical presence provided locally
- MT5 licence application support
Forex and CFD brokers in the Bahamas register as broker-dealers with the Securities Commission of The Bahamas under the Securities Industry Act 2024, with a CFD approval. The SCB expects a physical office, a CEO, chief compliance officer, MLRO, CFD supervisory officer and registered representative, evidence of capital, insurance and an external audit; there is no corporate income tax. It typically takes six to seven months.
Overview
Why brokers choose the Bahamas
Forex and CFD brokers in the Bahamas are registered by the Securities Commission of The Bahamas (SCB) as broker-dealers under the Securities Industry Act 2024 (SIA). Offering CFDs requires a specific CFD approval on top of the broker-dealer registration. The Bahamas has no corporate income tax, capital gains tax or withholding tax.
The SCB expects genuine presence and named, qualified people: a chief executive, a chief compliance officer, an MLRO, a CFD supervisory officer and a registered representative, plus a physical office. Our Bahamas partner can provide these roles and the office as a managed service, which makes the route realistic for international groups.
Requirements
What the SCB expects
Capital
Capital is evidenced with a corporate account statement during the application. The amount depends on the business model and products, and is highest for CFD market makers. We confirm the current figure with our partner for your structure.
- Bahamas company registered under the Securities Industry Act 2024
- Chief executive officer
- Chief compliance officer and money laundering reporting officer (MLRO)
- CFD supervisory officer
- A registered representative for trading, registered with the SCB
- Directors and a corporate secretary
- Physical office in the Bahamas with IT support (physical presence rules)
- Evidence of capital through a corporate bank account statement
- Professional indemnity insurance and an external auditor
Managed services
Roles our Bahamas partner can provide
Officers
CEO, chief compliance officer, MLRO, CFD supervisory officer and registered representative.
Physical presence
Office space with reception, IT support, secure email addresses and a phone number.
Compliance & AML
Full compliance and AML services, internal audit and regulatory audit supervision.
Corporate & accounting
Directors, nominee shareholders, corporate secretary, accounting with quarterly reconciliations.
Regulatory liaison
Day-to-day liaison with the SCB and procurement of auditors, law firms and registered office.
Operations
Support with account applications, custodian correspondence and other managing-agent functions.
After registration
Ongoing obligations each year
- Annual SCB fees for the registered entity and registered individuals
- Additional annual fees for the CFD approval
- Quarterly activity fees linked to gross trading revenue
- External audit and professional indemnity insurance
- FATCA and CRS annual filings
- Continuous compliance, AML and regulatory reporting
How the Bahamas route works
Consultation & structure
Business model (STP or market maker), ownership, officers and office plan.
Week 1Due diligence & company
KYC, fit-and-proper documents and incorporation.
Weeks 1–4SCB application
Broker-dealer and CFD application with business plan, policies and capital evidence, filed by our partner.
Months 1–2SCB review
Questions, officer registrations, office set-up, bank account.
Months 2–6Registration granted
Certificates of registration issued, operations start.
Typically 6–7 monthsMT5 licence
MetaQuotes file prepared with your SCB registration and submitted with our support.
After registrationBahamas: questions
Which licence do forex and CFD brokers need in the Bahamas?
Registration as a broker-dealer with the SCB under the Securities Industry Act 2024, with a CFD approval to offer contracts for difference.
Is there tax on a Bahamas brokerage?
The Bahamas has no corporate income tax, capital gains tax or withholding tax. Regulatory, licence and activity fees apply.
Do I need to move staff to the Bahamas?
Not necessarily. Officers, directors and a physical office can be provided by our Bahamas partner as a managed service.
How is capital shown?
With a corporate bank account statement during the application. The required amount depends on your model and products.
How long does the SCB take?
Typically around six to seven months for a complete application.
Official sources
Primary sources we rely on. Rules change; always confirm current requirements with the authority.
- Securities Commission of The Bahamas (SCB) scb.gov.bs
- MetaQuotes Ltd metaquotes.net
Get your own MT5 licence with a clear plan
Tell us your business model and target markets. We will recommend the right jurisdiction and send a fixed, itemised quote.