Technically, there are two types of so-called Estonian cryptocurrency licenses:
- Providing services of exchanging a virtual currency against a fiat currency
- Providing a virtual currency wallet service
Most operators possess both of them though. If Blockchain.com was incorporated in Estonia, IMO, it would have been obliged to obtain the second license, as it falls under scope of relevant national legislation.
Now, getting back to the question raised by TS, there︀ is no simple, one-fits-everyone, solution if we speak frankly. There are banks and EMIs out︁ there that accept crypto-related businesses, but as usual nowadays, it would depend on:
- What︂ exact business do you intend to carry on through your licensed entity (e.g. do you︃ plan to setup some sort of crypto buy-sell facility, trading venue, or conduct ICO/STO/IEO)
- What measures would you be able to implement (not only on the template of KYC︄ policy you've got from your CSP, but practically) to mitigate fraud, sanctions, terrorism-related and other︅ ML risks. That is a very important point to consider, especially given 5th MLD entry︆ in force as of January.
- Who's running the company and what's their profile (citizenship,︇ residence, experience, presence or absence of adverse media info);
- The most important point of︈ consideration is: would the business you plan to bring in to the FI be worth︉ the risks dealing with cryptos? Would you be able to make some sort of security︊ deposit (10-50-500 k EUR) and commit to a certain monthly turnover that would show that︋ you are serious about that business and it is not all for laundering some petty︌ cash from phony ICO?
So, now you have a clearer picture of what needs to︍ be demonstrated in order to secure credible banking relationships.
Some EMIs that can consider crypto-related︎ projects are:
- Lithuanian EMIs, such as Pervesk etc.
- Wirex (according to the latest️ reports, has major banking problems)
- Sterling Payments (technically not EMI, various credibility reports)
I wouldn't name any banks or some other EMIs on a public forum for obvious reasons.