Regulatory Research Before Launching Globally

Crypto products reach global audiences instantly, but laws remain local. A product that is straightforward in one country may require a licence in another, face marketing restrictions in a third and be unavailable in a fourth. Many crypto teams discover these issues after launch, when fixing them is expensive. A structured research process before expanding reduces surprises.

This article offers a general research framework. It is not legal advice, and specific decisions require qualified lawyers in the relevant jurisdictions.

Start by describing your activity precisely

Regulators focus on what a product does, not what it is called. Write a clear description:

• Do users deposit or entrust funds to you?
• Do you exchange crypto for money or other crypto?
• Do you issue a token, and what rights does it give?
• Do you offer yield, lending or investment-like returns?
• Do you process payments for others?
• Do you sell advertising, software or digital goods?
• Do you hold user data, and what kind?

Different activities fall under very different rules. Selling software or advertising is usually treated differently from custody or exchange services.

Map questions for each target country

For each country under consideration, research questions like:

Area	Questions to ask
Licensing	Does this activity require registration or a licence?
Token rules	Could the token be considered a regulated financial instrument?
Consumer protection	What disclosures, refund rights and terms are required?
Marketing	Are there restrictions on promoting crypto products?
Tax	What tax obligations arise for the business and users?
Data protection	What rules apply to personal data?
Sanctions	Are there restrictions on serving certain people or regions?

Record sources and dates, since rules change frequently.

Use reliable sources

Good starting points include:

1. Official regulator websites and published guidance
2. Legislation and official consultation documents
3. Reports from reputable law firms
4. Industry associations
5. Local advisors with crypto experience

Blog posts and social media summaries can help orientation but often oversimplify or go out of date.

Consider marketing rules

Marketing restrictions affect launches even when products are allowed. Some jurisdictions require risk warnings, restrict promotional language or limit who can promote crypto products. Influencer campaigns and advertising may be subject to additional rules.

Decide on availability

Research may lead to decisions such as:

• Launching fully in some countries
• Launching with modified features elsewhere
• Restricting access in certain countries
• Delaying expansion until licensing is in place

Communicate availability clearly to users and apply restrictions consistently.

Work with advisors efficiently

Legal advice across many countries is expensive. Reduce costs by preparing a clear product description, a list of target countries and specific questions. Prioritise the markets that matter most, and revisit others later.

Build compliance into the product

Some requirements affect product design: terms of service, risk disclosures, age requirements, data handling, refund processes and record keeping. Building them early is easier than retrofitting.

Review regularly

Crypto regulation continues to evolve. Schedule periodic reviews, follow regulator announcements and update policies as rules change.

Document decisions

Keep a record of the research, advice and decisions made for each country, including dates and sources. Documentation helps new team members understand why certain features or regions are restricted, supports conversations with partners and exchanges, and makes future reviews faster. When rules change, a clear record shows which assumptions need updating, so the research does not start from scratch.

Simple products still need clear terms

Even straightforward products benefit from clear terms and disclosures. Proud Globe, for example, sells advertising placements rather than financial products and publishes plain terms and a privacy policy explaining exactly what buyers receive, how payments work and what content is not allowed.