Banking & Insurance

The ARROWS Law Firm handles complex legal management of licensing proceedings, investment structures, and fintech projects. We help firms, funds, and technology companies succeed under the strict regulation of the Czech National Bank (CNB) and the EU.

(Part of the ARROWS Law Firm team)

Regulated financial services are currently under the highest level of scrutiny in history. The Czech National Bank (CNB), European directives, AML, MiCA, and new ESG standards create an environment where every decision affects growth speed, capital, and reputation.

ARROWS provides specialized legal support to companies seeking licenses, expanding their business within the Czech Republic, planning investment structures, or entering the fintech and crypto segments. We handle everything practically, clearly, and with an emphasis on business results—for both Czech and foreign owners.

Why choose lawyers from ARROWS?

Licensing specialists for the CNB and European regulation We guide clients through licensing proceedings over the long term (payment institutions, securities dealers, investment intermediaries, funds of qualified investors, small issuers, currency exchanges, crowdfunding, and crypto/MiCA). We know how to translate regulatory requirements into concrete steps that the Czech National Bank actually accepts.

Business and investor perspective Every licensing decision impacts capital, reporting, compliance costs, future scaling, and negotiations with investors. We structure licenses to fit your business model—not to hold your business back.

Experience with multiple jurisdictions and the fintech environment Foreign owners, investors, technologies, and cross-border structures are standard for us. Thanks to ARROWS International, we handle licenses and the operation of fintech projects across the EU, the UK, the USA, Israel, or Korea.

Fast and understandable communication without complex legalese You receive a clear procedure, a list of tasks, and a precise explanation of risks. Without being overwhelmed by legal paragraphs. The goal is for management and investors to know which steps have a real impact.

A) CNB Licenses & Regulated Business in the Czech Republic

– Payment Institution License (PI/PSP)
– Small Payment Service Provider License
– Investment Intermediary License
– Securities Dealer License
– Registration of service providers for credit unions, currency exchanges, and small issuers
– Crowdfunding Platform License (ECSP)
– Entries into regulated CNB registries
– Assessment of beneficial owners, managing persons, and Fit & Proper requirements
– Setting up capital and organizational requirements
– Ongoing communication and supervisory agenda with the Czech National Bank

B) Investment Funds, FQI, and Collective Investment Structures

– Complete establishment of Funds of Qualified Investors (FQI) and their investment structures
– Legal setup of mini-funds and private investment projects
– Preparation of documentation for investors (Investment Memorandums, contracts, reporting)
– Creation of investment policies, risk management, and AML frameworks
– Cooperation with custodians, administrators, depositories, and auditors
– Structuring of SPVs, joint ventures, and foreign components
– Ensuring compliance with AIFMD, AML, and reporting obligations
– Risk screening in funds—legal, tax, and regulatory
– Conversion of projects to licensed regimes (FQI → AIF → fund solution)
– Support during due diligence of investors and regulated partners

C) Fintech, Crypto & European MiCA Regulation

– Registration of crypto-asset service providers under MiCA
– Structuring of crypto exchanges and custody models
– Assessment of utility tokens, security tokens, and asset tokenization
– Setting up the technological-regulatory framework (custody, AML, KYC, risk)
– Documentation for whitepapers and terms of service
– Solutions for cross-border fintech products (embedded finance, marketplaces)
– Legal support for AI scoring, automation of financial services, and PSD2
– Due diligence of crypto projects and investment applications
– Compliance for e-money, payment gateways, e-commerce, and SaaS
– Consultation for investors entering the fintech and crypto segments

D) Bonds, Financing, and Capital Transactions

– Complete legal framework for bond emissions
– Analysis of prospectus obligations, permits, and exceptions
– Handling documentation for investors and distributor
– Creation of terms and conditions and security mechanisms
– Compliance with regulations that are actually enforced
– Structuring SPVs for emission and investment projects
– Legal due diligence of issuers and investment offers
– Resolution of investment disputes, damages, and AML risks
– Support during investment rounds, sale of shares, and investor entry
– Ongoing regulatory support for projects connected to the capital market

How do lawyers at ARROWS work?

1) Rapid Analysis

Initial screening of the business model, risk management, AML framework, capital, and organizational structure. We map out the regulatory requirements that will impact your type of service or investment project.

2) Strategy / Structure Proposal

We prepare a licensing or structural proposal that is in compliance with regulation and your business plan. The goal is a clear, feasible concept acceptable to the CNB, without dead ends.

3) Complete Documentation

We secure the licensing file, internal regulations, AML, risk management, governance, contracts, whitepapers, emission documentation, investment agreements, and materials for investors and banks.

4) Implementation and Ongoing Support

We communicate with the CNB, investors, and foreign owners. We oversee compliance, reporting, audits, and subsequent changes to the license or business model. We keep projects in the "safe regulatory zone."

15+ banking lawyers at ARROWS - 15 years of practice

Do not want to resolve your dispute alone? More than 2,000 clients trust the ARROWS law firm, and we have been awarded "Law Firm of the Year 2024." Look HERE at our references; it would be our honor to assist you in solving your problem.

Frequent Questions from ARROWS Clients Regarding Regulation:

1) How long does it take to obtain a CNB license? For smaller types of licenses (payment institutions, investment intermediaries), it usually takes months. Complex licenses (Securities Dealers, crowdfunding, specialized fintech models) take longer, especially if foreign capital is involved. The quality of the licensing file is crucial—a well-prepared process significantly speeds things up.

2) How much does a licensing process or regulatory project cost? The price depends on the type of license, the scope of internal regulations, the number of managing persons, the AML process, and technology implementation. After the initial consultation, we always prepare a clear pricing structure—fixed, hybrid, or monthly model.

3) Can you handle complicated and international structures? Yes. We work with foreign investors, holdings, SPVs, funds, and fintech projects that combine multiple areas of regulation. We ensure Fit & Proper proceedings, DORA requirements, capital structures, and operational compliance for companies from the EU and outside the EU.

4) Do you support fintech and crypto projects under MiCA? Yes. CASP registration, custody, exchanges, tokenization, and whitepapers are part of our services. We know how to design a model that passes the regulator while remaining commercially viable.

5) What is the best first step? A rapid regulatory analysis. We will examine your model, risks, AML, and capital requirements. You will immediately know which steps are necessary and which can be done later so the project is not delayed.

6) Do you also help with bond emissions and investment products? Yes—we prepare the entire legal framework for emissions, assess prospectus obligations, create documentation, and handle compliance regarding distributors and investors.

7) Do you provide long-term support after obtaining the license? Yes. Governance, reporting, compliance, AML, control and audit functions, license changes, and ongoing communication with the CNB are a common part of our work.

Read our articles:

1. Payment services act and PSD2: What FinTech startups must comply with before applying
2. Legal obligations of fintech companies in 2025
3. CNB and finfluencers - beware of fines!
4. The dora regulation, or the security of financial actors in the ICT area
5. Information for damaged clients of the CNB control project
6. HOW TO RAISE MONEY FOR A PROJECT (MODERN WAYS OF INVESTING)

Are you ready to ensure legal certainty and strategic growth for your business? Contact ARROWS Law Firm today and discuss how their specialists can support your goals in the Czech Republic.

Do not want to handle this problem alone? More than 2,000 clients trust us, and we are awarded as Law Firm of the Year 2024. Look HERE at our references.