Canada MSB Registration

Complete Guidance for Money Services Businesses in Canada

What This License Is

The Canada MSB Registration is required for businesses operating as a Money Services Business (MSB) under FINTRAC regulations. This includes businesses dealing with money transfer, currency exchange, or issuing payment instruments in Canada.
Registration ensures your business is legally compliant, protects customers, and allows access to banking and payment networks.
7BaaS helps fintechs, remittance companies, and payment providers navigate FINTRAC requirements, prepare documentation, and maintain ongoing compliance.
Operating without an MSB registration can result in fines, legal action, and business shutdown.

Who Needs Canada MSB Registration

Businesses that need MSB registration include:

  • Money transfer and remittance companies
  • Currency exchange providers
  • Digital payment platforms handling customer funds
  • Companies issuing prepaid or stored-value instruments
  • Crypto exchanges or crypto-related services that deal with fiat currency

MSB registration is mandatory to operate legally in Canada.

Key Requirements

To register as an MSB in Canada, businesses must:

  • Be a legally registered entity in Canada
  • Appoint a compliance officer responsible for AML/KYC oversight
  • Implement an AML/KYC compliance program
  • Maintain accurate record-keeping for transactions
  • Submit MSB registration forms to FINTRAC
  • Follow reporting obligations and risk assessment policies

7BaaS ensures that all regulatory requirements are met efficiently, reducing delays and risk of rejection.

Typical Timeline

Step

Activity

Duration

1

Regulatory Assessment

1 week

2

Documentation Preparation

1–2 weeks

3

FINTRAC MSB Registration Submission

1–2 days

4

FINTRAC Review & Feedback

2–4 weeks

5

Post-Registration Compliance

Ongoing

Timeline may vary based on the complexity of your business and readiness of documentation.

How 7BaaS Helps

Regulatory Assessment

Determine if your business qualifies as an MSB

Compliance Program Setup

AML/KYC policies, risk assessments, and reporting procedures

Application Submission

Prepare and submit FINTRAC MSB registration forms

Ongoing Compliance Support

Monitoring, reporting, and regulatory updates

Advisory Services

Guidance on banking, fintech operations, and cross-border payments

Why Canada MSB Registration Matters

Legal Compliance

Operate legally under Canadian law

Banking & Partnerships

Required for opening business accounts and collaborating with banks

Customer Trust

Licensed businesses demonstrate credibility

Investor Confidence

Attract investors and partners with a compliant framework

Risk Mitigation

Avoid fines, penalties, or enforcement actions

With 7BaaS, businesses get full regulatory support from registration to ongoing compliance.

Related Services

Related Articles

Ready to Register Your Canada MSB?

Partner with 7BaaS to secure your MSB registration quickly and compliantly. We provide expert guidance for application filing, AML/KYC setup, and ongoing compliance.