Tantum vs 3S Money: EEA Account for Regulated Industries

Companies in regulated or high-risk industries often face rejection or month-long review processes when searching for a suitable business account. Tantum is an Electronic Money Institution (EMI) supervised by the Financial Market Authority (FMA) Liechtenstein and holds EEA passporting rights. We serve traditional businesses as well as clients in complex sectors—including crypto and VASP companies under Liechtenstein's TVTG regime.

This comparison shows how Tantum and 3S Money differ in terms of regulation, risk profile, IBAN issuance and pricing—and which solution is best suited for which companies.

What Matters in a Business Account for Regulated Industries

Companies in regulated or high-risk industries need more than just an ordinary business account. They need a partner who not only provides the technical infrastructure but also brings the regulatory risk appetite and expertise to understand their industry.

Regulatory license and passporting rights should be your first priority. Check whether the provider holds a genuine EEA license and in which jurisdictions it is authorized to operate. An EMI with EEA passporting can serve clients in all EU and EEA member states under a unified regulatory framework.

Industry experience and risk profile are critical. Many providers silently reject crypto, VASP, gaming or adult B2B clients, or charge prohibitively high fees. Look for a partner that explicitly accepts your industry and has proven compliance expertise.

Dedicated account manager is not a luxury but a necessity. With complex onboarding requirements, ongoing compliance requests and regulatory changes, you need a point of contact who understands your industry and responds quickly.

Finally: Multi-currency support, API access and scalable payment infrastructure are essential for cross-border business. Check whether the provider issues dedicated IBANs in your company's name and whether the technical platform can be integrated with your treasury or accounting system.

What Tantum Offers: Regulation, Multi-Currency and Mass Payouts

Tantum AG is an EMI licensed and supervised by the FMA Liechtenstein with full EEA passporting rights. This means we can serve companies in all EU and EEA member states under a consistent regulatory framework. Liechtenstein's TVTG regime explicitly allows us to accept crypto and Virtual Asset Service Providers (VASP)—industries that are rejected by many traditional banks and EMIs.

Multi-currency IBANs in your company's name are standard at Tantum. You receive dedicated IBANs for EUR, USD, GBP and CHF, with additional currencies available on request. Your Swiss franc IBAN is issued in Liechtenstein, which is advantageous for companies with Swiss counterparties or clients who prefer the Liechtenstein regulatory environment. Local euro IBAN formats are issued in several European jurisdictions.

Mass payouts via CSV and API enable you to process payroll runs, affiliate commissions or supplier invoices in minutes. Your real-time dashboard displays every payment transaction, and our API-first architecture integrates seamlessly with accounting, treasury and back-office systems. You can upload payout files or make API calls directly from your own software.

Dedicated account manager for every client—regardless of transaction volume or account size. Your account manager understands your industry, navigates compliance requirements and answers operational questions quickly. For companies in regulated sectors, this direct communication is crucial to minimize friction and shorten onboarding times.

Tantum was built for European companies underserved by traditional banks: Web3 and crypto companies, affiliate networks, gaming operators, adult B2B and companies with high cross-border payment volumes. If your company has already been rejected by other providers or has gone through month-long due diligence processes, Tantum Corporate Accounts offers a credible, compliant alternative.

3S Money: Multi-Jurisdictional Licenses and Global IBAN Coverage

3S Money is a global business account provider with multiple licenses: FCA registration in the United Kingdom, CSSF registration in Luxembourg, DFSA registration in Dubai (DIFC) and a Money Service Operator license in Hong Kong. The company was founded in 2018 and offers multi-currency accounts with local IBANs in the UK, Netherlands, Luxembourg, France and UAE, as well as FX and global payment services.

Target audience of 3S Money are importers, exporters, asset managers and companies with international structures. The platform offers support in over 12 languages and targets companies expanding globally and managing complex cross-border payment flows.

IBAN coverage is broad: 3S Money issues local IBANs in GB, NL, LU, FR and AE and supports multi-currency wallets for USD, GBP, AED, EUR and over 65 additional currencies. DIFC accounts are specifically designed for MENA payment requirements. This geographic diversity is attractive for companies with a presence in the Middle East or Asia.

Pricing is transparent and tiered: 3S Money publishes monthly plans—Standard (€100/month), Enterprise (€300/month) and customized Enterprise Plus rates—with listed transaction fees for EUR SEPA, UK Faster Payments and international transfers. Larger clients can negotiate fees.

Accounting integrations include Xero and Kyriba, and API access is available for Enterprise-tier customers and above. 3S Money positions itself as a solution for companies with straightforward compliance profiles who prioritize global IBAN coverage and multi-jurisdictional licensing. However, their public materials do not explicitly mention crypto, VASP or high-risk industry sectors.

The Key Differences Between Tantum and 3S Money

The choice between Tantum and 3S Money depends on your industry, geographic focus and risk profile. Here are the four decisive differences.

1. Regulatory Framework and Risk Appetite
Tantum is licensed by the FMA Liechtenstein and passported into the EEA under a regulatory regime that explicitly supports high-risk and regulated sectors—including crypto and VASP clients under the TVTG regime. This means we can serve companies that many EMIs and banks reject or subject to lengthy due diligence processes. 3S Money holds licenses in GB (FCA), Luxembourg (CSSF), Dubai (DFSA) and Hong Kong, offering multi-jurisdictional coverage. Their public materials emphasize supporting complex international structures and high transaction volumes, but do not explicitly mention crypto, VASP or high-risk industry onboarding.

2. Account Management and Industry Expertise
Tantum provides every client with a dedicated account manager who understands complex regulatory and compliance requirements. If your company operates in a regulated or emerging industry, you work with someone who can navigate documentation, explain risk policies and respond quickly to operational questions. 3S Money also assigns a dedicated relationship manager, with support in over 12 languages. Their focus is on international expansion and cross-border payment efficiency, particularly for importers, exporters and asset managers.

3. IBAN Issuance and Currency Coverage
Tantum issues dedicated IBANs in your company's name for EUR, USD, GBP and CHF as standard, with additional currencies on request. You receive local euro IBAN formats in several European jurisdictions and a Swiss franc IBAN issued in Liechtenstein—useful for clients trading with Swiss counterparties or who prefer the Liechtenstein regulatory environment. 3S Money offers local IBANs in GB, NL, LU, FR and UAE, with multi-currency wallets for USD, GBP, AED, EUR and over 65 additional currencies. Their DIFC accounts are specifically designed for MENA payment requirements.

4. Price Transparency and Fee Structure
Tantum operates with tiered pricing shared on request. We never publish standard fee schedules, as pricing depends on transaction profile, volume and risk assessment. Indicative rates are provided during onboarding, and your account manager tailors commercial terms to your needs. 3S Money publishes tiered monthly plans (Standard €100/month, Enterprise €300/month and customized Enterprise Plus) with listed transaction fees on their website, including EUR SEPA, UK Faster Payments and international transfers. They offer negotiable fees for higher-tier clients.

Comparison Table and Recommendations for Your Decision

The following table summarizes the key features and helps you make the right choice for your company.

When to Choose Tantum:
If your company operates in a regulated or high-risk industry (crypto, VASP, gaming, adult B2B, affiliate networks) and you need an EEA-licensed partner with proven compliance expertise and dedicated Swiss franc IBANs. Tantum is suited for companies that have been rejected by traditional banks or other EMIs, or need an account manager who understands their industry.

When to Choose 3S Money:
If your company has a straightforward compliance profile, needs global IBAN coverage in GB, NL, LU, FR and UAE, and prefers transparently published pricing plans. 3S Money is suited for importers, exporters and asset managers with a presence in the Middle East or Asia who prioritize multi-jurisdictional licensing.

All information about 3S Money is sourced from publicly available information on their website and may change. Verify current terms directly with 3S Money before making a decision.

Choosing a business account for regulated industries requires more than just comparing fees and IBANs. You need a partner who understands your industry, brings the regulatory risk appetite, and provides the technical infrastructure for cross-border payments. Tantum was built for European companies underserved by traditional banks—including crypto, VASP, gaming and affiliate businesses. If you're looking for an EEA-licensed EMI with dedicated multi-currency IBANs and an account manager who understands your requirements, contact us for a no-obligation conversation and indicative pricing.

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