Most mainstream banks have long since closed their doors to crypto, gambling, adult, and forex businesses. Even companies with proper compliance, licensing, and strong financials are being told: “Sorry, we’re not onboarding your sector.”
So… where do high-risk companies actually bank?
The answer lies in tier-2 banks, offshore institutions, and specialized boutique banks that still understand these industries and work with them — discreetly, compliantly, and selectively.
This post gives you an updated 2025 list of the top banks (and types of banks) still onboarding high-risk clients — and explains how to qualify.
Why Most Banks Say No to High-Risk Clients
The list of “high-risk” sectors continues to grow. Banks avoid onboarding these clients because of:
- Regulatory pressure (FATF, AMLD, local regulators)
- Fear of correspondent banking penalties
- Complexity of monitoring crypto, gambling, or FX flows
- Public reputation management
- Past scandals involving misused accounts
So even if your business is clean, the sector label alone triggers rejection.
What Makes a Bank High-Risk Friendly in 2025
A real “high-risk friendly” bank is not one that ignores compliance — it’s one that understands the nuances of your business and knows how to work with you within a regulated framework.
Key traits:
- Accepts clients via introducers only
- Specializes in 2–3 risky verticals (not everything)
- Offers real SWIFT/IBAN infrastructure
- Has boutique or offshore status
- Provides account managers & clear onboarding rules
Avoid banks that make vague promises or “guaranteed acceptance” claims — these are usually not legitimate institutions.
The Top 5 Banks Still Onboarding High-Risk Clients in 2025
Note: We do not publicly name these banks out of discretion. Access is only available via verified introducers like BankMyCapital.
🇧🇿 Belize-Based Tier 1 Offshore Bank
- Accepts: Crypto OTC desks, Forex brokers, licensed gambling
- Currencies: USD, EUR
- Perks: Fast onboarding (2–3 weeks), named accounts
- Needs: Clear source of funds, UBO docs, KYT policies
🇲🇾 Labuan Boutique Bank (Malaysia)
- Accepts: Proprietary trading, crypto liquidity providers, fintech
- Currencies: USD, SGD, EUR
- Perks: Asian coverage, regulated under LFSA
- Needs: Dual-entity structure (Labuan + EU or HK suggested)
🇸🇻 St. Lucia Private Bank
- Accepts: Gambling payouts, affiliate platforms, adult networks
- Currencies: USD only
- Perks: Good for settlements from PSPs to offshore ops
- Needs: Pre-approval, non-EU client focus
🇨🇭 Swiss Boutique Bank (For HNW Crypto)
- Accepts: Crypto-backed companies, foundations, family offices
- Currencies: CHF, EUR, USD
- Perks: Stability, high privacy, white-glove onboarding
- Needs: Clean source of funds, 7-figure balances, clean legal setup
🇱🇹 EU-Based EMI-Backed Hybrid Bank
- Accepts: Crypto, gambling, adult, forex — with transparent onboarding
- Currencies: EUR, SEPA-ready
- Perks: Fast onboarding + compliance support
- Needs: KYT partner, business website, flow-of-funds logic
What These Banks Expect: Compliance & Documentation
Even high-risk-friendly banks expect bank-grade compliance. Here’s what they typically require:
✅ Core Documents:
- Passport and recent proof of address for UBOs
- Full corporate documents (Certificate of Incorporation, Share Registry, M&AA)
- Tax identification numbers (if available)
- Proof of business activity (e.g., live website, invoices, contracts)
- Business plan or executive summary
- KYT/KYC process (especially for crypto and gambling flows)
- Licensing (if applicable — gaming, EMI, forex)
📌 Additional Requirements:
- Source of funds declaration for shareholders
- Previous bank reference or proof of prior account
- Proof of clean legal standing (no active investigations or sanctions)
💡 Tip: These banks don’t expect you to be perfect — but they do expect you to be transparent.
How to Qualify for Introduction to These Banks
Most of the banks listed do not accept cold applications. They work via introducers like BankMyCapital — and only if the introducer pre-screens your case.
Here’s how to improve your chances of success:
- Ensure your UBOs are clean and verifiable
- Prepare a short summary of your business model (2–3 paragraphs max)
- Be honest about crypto, gambling, or FX activity — hiding it = instant rejection
- Use a website that clearly reflects your business operations
- Show a logic of how money flows in and out of your business
Common Mistakes That Kill Applications
🚫 These errors almost always lead to rejection or frozen accounts:
- Submitting false or “sanitized” business activity descriptions
- Hiding crypto flows or wallets
- Using nominee shareholders without declaring them
- Mixing personal and business funds
- Presenting a structure that makes no economic sense (e.g., BVI company selling in Germany with no explanation)
Fix these issues before requesting an introduction.
Alternatives: EMI + Bank Hybrid Setups
If direct access to one of these banks isn’t feasible — or if you need SEPA and SWIFT coverage in parallel — consider a hybrid:
| Use Case | Structure |
| Crypto Platform | EMI in Lithuania + offshore USD bank (Belize or Labuan) |
| Gambling Site | Curacao company + St. Lucia bank + SEPA EMI (Czechia) |
| Adult Network | Cyprus EMI + Swiss boutique bank for reserves |
| Forex Broker | UK holding + Labuan subsidiary + EMI SEPA account |
This hybrid approach balances flexibility with compliance — and makes future scaling easier.
8. Real Cases of Approved High-Risk Banking
🎰 iGaming Affiliate Platform
- Setup: Cyprus company + Curacao license
- Bank: EMI for EUR (SEPA), offshore bank for USD
- Result: Fully compliant onboarding in under 4 weeks
🔁 Crypto OTC Broker
- Setup: Marshall Islands entity with Swiss UBO
- Bank: Labuan boutique bank with declared flow
- Result: USD wire access and crypto-friendly approvals
🌐 Forex Education & Signals Business
- Setup: Estonia company + EMI in Lithuania
- Bank: SEPA access for client payments, offshore for affiliate settlements
- Result: Split flows by region = long-term account stability
How BankMyCapital Helps Facilitate Pre-Approved Access
At BankMyCapital, we’re not a bank — but we partner with institutions that understand risk.
Here’s what we do:
- ✅ Assess your risk profile and structure
- ✅ Suggest improvements to avoid red flags
- ✅ Pre-approve your case with suitable partners
- ✅ Introduce you directly to banking teams
- ✅ Assist in documentation prep and compliance explanation
We only work with licensed, regulated institutions — and only if we believe there’s a real chance of success.
Final Thoughts: Be Transparent, Be Structured, Be Introduced
In 2025, the path to a real bank account for a high-risk business is still open — but it’s no longer direct. It’s structured, guided, and introduced.
✅ Work with professionals
✅ Be honest about your activity
✅ Prepare documentation properly
✅ Focus on long-term stability over speed
📩 Ready to explore your banking options?
Get pre-screened by BankMyCapital and we’ll match you with real banks and EMIs that still onboard crypto, gambling, adult, and forex clients in 2025 — no time wasted.