Jurisdiction comparison

Compare jurisdictions side by side

Choose jurisdictions and compare routes, key people, capital/resources, timelines, public registers, and practical watch-outs.

Jurisdiction	Main route	Key people	Capital/resources	Timeline	Difficulty	Public register	Watch-outs
Hong Kong	SFC licensed corporation for Type 1 dealing in securities; SFC licensed corporation for Type 4 advising on securities	Licensed representatives for regulated functions; At least two responsible officers for each regulated activity	Capital and liquid capital expectations depend on regulated activity, whether client assets are held, and other SFC financial resources requirements.	Typically 4 to 8+ months after a serious application pack is ready.	High	Open	Do not treat Type 9 as a substitute for all dealing or advisory activity without checking the actual workflow. Actively marketing into Hong Kong can matter even where services are provided from outside Hong Kong. Responsible officers in name only are a practical red flag.
Singapore	MAS Capital Markets Services licence for fund management; MAS CMS licence for dealing in capital markets products	Appointed representatives for regulated activities conducted on behalf of CMS licensees or exempt financial institutions; Fit and proper assessment for directors, representatives, substantial shareholders, and key persons	Capital and financial resource expectations depend on activity, client type, custody, and the specific licence or exemption path.	Typically 4 to 9+ months depending on route and readiness.	High	Open	Do not rely on an exemption without mapping the exact entity, activity, client, and marketing facts. Representative status and individual conduct controls are not afterthoughts. Fund management, fund distribution, and advice can create different regulatory questions.

Tool outputs are issue-spotting aids only. They are not legal advice, do not determine whether a licence is required, and must be checked against official regulator materials and professional advice.