LicenseCompare

Activity map

Asset and fund management licensing requirements

Discretionary portfolio, fund, managed account, and investment management models where the firm makes or controls investment decisions.

Who this is for

  • - Startup fund managers
  • - Private fund advisers
  • - Managed account platforms
  • - Family office spin-outs

Trigger questions

  • - Who has discretion over portfolio decisions?
  • - Are investors in a fund, separate account, managed account, or platform product?
  • - Does the manager also market funds, give advice, or place trades?

Common mistakes

  • - Treating asset management as a single global licence label.
  • - Ignoring dealing, advice, marketing, and custody steps around the mandate.

Compare by jurisdiction

Securities and Futures Commission

Hong Kong

Typically 4 to 8+ months after a serious application pack is ready.

Open matrix

Monetary Authority of Singapore

Singapore

Typically 4 to 9+ months depending on route and readiness.

Open matrix

Financial Conduct Authority

United Kingdom

FCA service standards distinguish complete and incomplete applications; practical timelines often run 4 to 10+ months.

Open matrix

SEC / FINRA / state securities regulators

United States

SEC adviser registration can become effective in about 45 days if complete; FINRA new member review may run up to 180 calendar days for substantially complete applications.

Open matrix

Australian Securities and Investments Commission

Australia

Often 4 to 8+ months depending on authorisations and proof quality.

Open matrix