Why Forex Start-ups Are Looking at the Comoros — and What They Must Check First
Offshore brokerage licensing is back in the spotlight in 2026, as founders of forex, CFD and prop-trading projects search for faster and cheaper entry points than European or UK regimes can offer. One of the most discussed routes this year is the Forex license in Anjouan, an international brokerage authorisation granted on the autonomous island of Anjouan in the Comoros archipelago. Private Financial Services (pfser.com), a corporate services provider active since 1998, is among the firms assisting companies with Anjouan incorporation, licensing and banking set-up.
What the licence actually covers
The authorisation is administered by the Anjouan Offshore Finance Authority (AOFA) and is tied to an international business company incorporated on the island. Under its published conditions, a licensee may promote, host and operate an FX trading platform and broker shares, contracts for difference, commodities and other securities. The licence lapses if the company stops being incorporated in Anjouan, and it does not extend to other regulated activities. Banking, insurance or gambling each require a separate permit.
The framework relies on local anti-money-laundering legislation dating from 2005. Licensees are expected to run KYC procedures, keep AML policies and report annually, with renewal once a year.
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Why interest keeps growing
Three factors drive demand in 2026:
- Speed. Advisers typically quote several weeks from a complete file to approval, compared with a year or more in tier-one jurisdictions.
- Cost. Market providers publish all-in budgets starting in the low tens of thousands of US dollars, with capital often posted as a security bond rather than paid-up share capital.
- Flexibility. The regime is used by brokers working with MT4/MT5 platforms, crypto-funded accounts and introducing-broker networks.
For early-stage brokers, these features lower the barrier to a first regulated launch while product and client base are still being tested.
The compliance climate is tightening
The wider Anjouan ecosystem is moving towards stricter oversight. In June 2026 the island’s gaming authority publicly stressed that its licences are not a blanket permission to serve every market. In September 2026 it tightened application and customer due diligence rules after a Financial Action Task Force report on financial crime risks. Brokerage applicants should expect the same direction of travel: fuller source-of-funds checks, clearer business plans and documented AML frameworks.
What to check before applying
The Anjouan licence remains a debated instrument, and founders should approach it with open eyes:
- Recognition. The Central Bank of the Comoros has stated in past communiqués that financial licensing belongs to the Union level. Banks and payment providers may therefore apply enhanced due diligence to Anjouan-licensed brokers.
- Target markets. The licence does not authorise services in countries that require a local permit, including the EU, UK, US and Australia. Geo-blocking and marketing controls are essential.
- Banking in 2027. The new EU Anti-Money Laundering Regulation applies from 10 July 2027. European banks, EMIs and PSPs onboarding offshore brokers are expected to raise their scrutiny further.
- Growth path. Many brokers treat Anjouan as a first step and plan a later upgrade to Mauritius, Seychelles, Labuan or an EU licence once volumes justify it.
Outlook for 2026–2027
Anjouan is likely to stay on the shortlist of cost-sensitive brokers, but the gap between a fast licence and a bankable business is widening. Projects that prepare a realistic compliance programme, choose target markets carefully and line up payment partners in advance will get the most from the jurisdiction. Specialist advisers such as Private Financial Services help founders assess these points before filing, alongside company registration, AML documentation and account opening.
