Specialized Practice
Labuan Desk.
Cross-border regulatory advisory.
Our Labuan Desk advises on the structuring, licensing, and ongoing compliance requirements for entities in the financial and commercial sectors. We act as a dedicated bridge for sponsors requiring institutional legitimacy for multi-jurisdictional operations.
Market Position
Regulator
Labuan FSA
Status
Midshore / OECD Compliant
Legal Framework
Common Law Principles
Providing regulatory certainty for sophisticated capital management.
Labuan IBFC is a federal jurisdiction of Malaysia that operates as an international financial hub. Positioned as a premier midshore centre, it provides a balanced regulatory environment for cross-border structuring and tax transparency under the oversight of the Labuan FSA.
Our desk assists clients in navigating this framework for fintech, Islamic finance, and private wealth mandates. By leveraging Malaysia’s extensive treaty network, we ensure structures remain both commercially viable and compliant with international standards.
01
Structuring for multi jurisdiction needs
We design and refine cross-border holding structures, investment pathways and governance frameworks aligned with Labuan legislation and Malaysian regulatory expectations, balancing commercial clarity with regulatory certainty.
02
Licensing for financial and digital activity
We manage eligibility assessments, regulatory correspondence and licensing submissions under LFSSA and IFSSA including fund management, money broking, digital financial services and specialist financial platforms.
03
Governance that withstands scrutiny
We support licensed entities with supervisory expectations, AML/CFT controls, economic substance planning and periodic reporting, ensuring sustainable adherence to regulatory requirements.
Practice Portfolio
Money Broking
Intermediaries for FX and money market transactions.
Fund Management
Portfolio management and investment advisory services.
Digital Financial Services
Regulated fintech and digital asset operations.
Credit Token Business
Issuance of digital or physical credit instruments.
Trust Companies
Fiduciary vehicles for wealth and corporate governance.
Advisory Liaison
Engagement with the Labuan FSA for bespoke regulatory mandates.
Operational Process
From structural design to operational activation.
Structural Design
Technical analysis of the proposed business model to determine the optimal Labuan vehicle.
FSA Submission
Preparation of business plans and operational manuals for formal application to the Labuan FSA.
Regulatory Liaison
Management of correspondence and technical queries with regulators to secure approval.
Operational Activation
Final capital injection and substance setup to trigger the issuance of the operational license.
Technical FAQ
Standard setups generally take 5-7 working days, while regulated licensing typically spans 4-8 weeks.
Labuan entities are permitted to conduct business within Malaysia, subject to specific regulatory conditions.
Minimum paid-up capital requirements depend on the license (e.g., RM 300,000 for Fund Managers).
Tax residents must comply with specific physical substance rules, including local management and annual audit.
