Our available SEMI licenses in the UK
The UK Small Electronic Money Institution (SEMI) is an FCA registration — not full authorisation — for firms operating at lower volumes under the Electronic Money Regulations 2011. A SEMI may issue electronic money and provide payment services within the UK only, with two key operational limits: average outstanding e-money may not exceed £5 million, and average monthly payment transactions may not exceed €3 million over a 12-month period.
SEMIs cannot provide account information services (AIS) or payment initiation services (PIS), and operate with notably lighter prudential requirements than a full Authorised EMI (AEMI): no minimum capital requirement, though adequate financial resources must be demonstrated, and no passporting rights apply.
New FCA safeguarding rules enter into force on 7 May 2026, raising the standards for client funds protection even at the SEMI level. The 25% UK corporation tax rate applies (19% small-profits rate below £50,000 profits). A SEMI is typically the right entry point for fintech startups testing the UK e-money market at modest volume before scaling to full AEMI authorisation.
This page covers FCA-registered UK SEMI entities currently available for transfer, with a full breakdown of permitted activities, operational limits, and the upgrade path to full AEMI status.
Legasset’s support covers both SEMI acquisitions and upgrade applications to full AEMI — FCA change-of-control notification, safeguarding arrangements, and compliance restructuring.
Offer Information
SEMI License for Sale #1
UK-based SEMI, established 2017, fully operational and profitable:
- Licensed SEMI under FCA, serving corporate clients
- Services: issuing/acquiring payment instruments, e-money issuance, money remittance, dedicated IBANs (SEPA/GBP/SWIFT), SWIFT payments, BIC & IBAN generation with Target2
- Safeguarded accounts in UK & Latvian banks; correspondent account in China; FX provider integration
- Proprietary banking software with white-label option; API integrations, video verification, SMS provider
- Team: 3 directors, 1 MLRO, 3 managers, 5 IT specialists
Turnkey opportunity with strong compliance and potential for co-branded payment cards integration.
SEMI License for Sale #2
Turnkey opportunity for investors or PSPs seeking immediate, compliant entry into EU digital payments sector.
- Fully licensed and regulated, set up in 2021, with safeguarded accounts at Clear Junction and LPP Bank (Latvia)
- Card issuing: MasterCard affiliate in place, Visa agreement in progress
- Low-risk profile with limited US client base
- One UBO, simple ownership structure
- Core services: cash deposits/withdrawals, payment transactions, money remittance, e-money issuance
- Operational team willing to stay, ensuring continuity
- White-label software option available for seamless integration
SEMI License for Sale #3
UK-based fintech specializing in B2C crypto-banking services, available for full acquisition.
- SEMI license and crypto registration, including issuance of stablecoins (GBPx, EURx, USDx) and ReDeFi native blockchain (L1/L2)
- Proprietary technology platform integrating fiat and crypto, Microsoft Azure-based infrastructure
- Active user base
- Safeguarded accounts with ClearBank, card processing with WorldPay, compliance integrations (Chainalysis, SumSub)
- Key personnel committed to stay post-acquisition
- Scalable infrastructure with European expansion potential and future MICA license
- Strategic entry into the growing crypto-banking and digital finance sector
SEMI License for Sale #4
- Scope of license: Issuing of electronic money, execution of payment transactions, issuing of payment instruments
- The company and platform are EMI-upgrade ready, with a clean regulatory track record and internal documentation to support a smooth application for full EMI authorization.
- IBAN issuing – integration with UK-regulated clearing bank (ClearBank)
- Safeguarding bank: ClearBank, with fully segregated safeguarding accounts ready to activate.
- Acquiring: Integrated with Judopay for UK card processing.
- Clean balance sheet; zero third-party debt or legal disputes.
- Proprietary, cloud-hosted platform (AWS), Includes core ledger, compliance tools, user wallet management, admin panel, and API layer.
- Integrated tools: Onfido, SUM and Substance – KYC, ComplyAdvantage – AML/sanctions, Judopay – Card payments, GoCardless – Direct Debits.
