Montana MSB License
Montana is a unique jurisdiction for financial services because it is currently the only U.S. state that does not require a state-level Money Transmitter License (MTL).
This allows businesses to operate under federal FinCEN registration alone, significantly reducing the regulatory burden, bonding requirements, and capital costs found in other states.
Pricing of obtaining a MSB License in USA
We have 3 different packages to meet your specific needs:
Basic
Registration of VASP under the minimum regulatory requirements
8,900 EUR
Full turnkey company formation
MSB registration
Set of corporate documents
Address of registration for 1 year
Registered agent for 1 year
Advanced
Registration of VASP under the full regulatory requirements
12,900 EUR
Full turnkey company formation
MSB registration
Address of registration for 1 year
Registered agent for 1 year
Apostilled set of corporate documents documents
Assistance with bank account opening
Ready-made MSB
Registration of VASP under the full regulatory requirements and local operational bank account
19,900 EUR
Transfer of the Company
Address of registration for 1 year
Registered agent for 1 year
Apostilled set of corporate documents documents
Assistance with bank account opening
Montana MSB Setup & Compliance
We work fast and handle all remotely, provided all due diligence documents (passports, proof of address, and business plan) are provided promptly.
Onboarding & Discovery
Define your flow of funds and MSB categories (e.g., Dealer in Foreign Exchange, Money Transmitter, or Virtual Currency Provider).
Company Formation
We register the Montana company and secure the physical registered address.
Compliance Build-out
Our legal team drafts your internal manuals tailored to your specific business model.
Submission
We file with the Department of the Treasury (FinCEN).
Activation
Once the registration appears in the public MSB search, your business is legally authorized to commence federal MSB activities.
Ongoing Obligations
While the initial setup is streamlined, federal law requires active maintenance:
Compliance Officer: You must designate an individual responsible for AML oversight.
Independent Audit: An annual review of your AML program is required (not included in the setup fee).
Renewal: FinCEN registration must be renewed every two years.
Note: This registration allows you to provide services to residents of Montana and internationally. If you intend to target customers in other specific U.S. states, additional state-level licenses may be required as your volume grows.
Taxation of Crypto-Assets in Montana
The tax and regulatory profile of Montana is significantly different from other U.S. states. Montana does not have a state-level sales tax, which simplifies the operational overhead for digital asset service providers. Montana is often called a "tax-friendly" jurisdiction for businesses, particularly those in the MSB and blockchain space.
Montana generally follows federal IRS guidelines for the characterization of cryptocurrency:
Property Status: For tax purposes, Montana treats crypto as "property," not currency.
Capital Gains: If the MSB holds crypto on its balance sheet and sells it for a profit, that profit is taxed at the corporate rate (6.75%).
Mining: Montana is a top destination for mining due to its climate and energy. Block rewards are considered gross income at their fair market value on the date of receipt.