Clear Junction
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Clear Junction is an FCA-authorised financial infrastructure provider that serves payments and treasury needs for financial institutions, with a recent expansion into the digital asset sector. Founded in 2016, the company operates as Clear Junction Limited, an Electronic Money Institution authorised by the FCA under Firm Reference Number 900684. More recently, Clear Junction Digital Limited was registered with the FCA as an MLRs-registered cryptoasset business (FRN 900696), reflecting the company's deliberate entry into the regulated digital asset space. The company maintains offices across the UK, Poland, Latvia, and The Netherlands, positioning itself as a European-focused infrastructure provider rather than a globally distributed operation.
The company describes its approach as fiat-first, with blockchain capabilities positioned as complementary rather than foundational. This positioning reflects the company's heritage as a traditional payments infrastructure provider that has added crypto capabilities, rather than a crypto-native company that has retrofitted fiat support. For regulated digital asset businesses, this means Clear Junction brings institutional payments discipline and fiat-focused compliance expertise to its crypto account offering, rather than starting from a crypto-only standpoint and building fiat support as an afterthought.
Clear Junction's core offering for crypto businesses consists of business accounts denominated in GBP or EUR, paired with virtual IBAN infrastructure. A regulated crypto business can hold accounts in both currencies, accepting customer deposits through local bank transfers without requiring an intermediate correspondent relationship. Virtual IBANs enable the business to issue unique account numbers to customers, directing inbound transfers into segregated accounts where funds sit under Clear Junction's regulatory custody rather than the crypto firm's direct control. This structure is common in regulated payment processing: it reduces the capital requirements and regulatory burden on the crypto business itself, as fiat sits in the EMI's segregated accounts rather than requiring the crypto business to become a payment institution.
The company explicitly serves regulated digital asset businesses, and the regulatory framework is central to their positioning. The FCA registration as a cryptoasset business means Clear Junction has demonstrated to UK regulators that it understands the risks specific to digital assets and has put controls in place. This is distinct from a general payment institution that happens to serve crypto clients; Clear Junction has voluntarily submitted to additional scrutiny to be registered under the Money Laundering Regulations (MLRs) cryptoasset business regime. For a platform or trading firm operating in the UK or EU, being able to point to an account at an MLRs-registered provider strengthens its own compliance posture and may be required by certain institutional customers or regulators.
The onboarding process is notably rigorous. Clear Junction works exclusively with regulated institutions and licensed firms, meaning a startup without regulatory approval or a clear compliance programme will not be approved. The company's language specifies "compliance-led firms," indicating that applicants must already have mature AML, KYC, and transaction monitoring systems in place. An exchange operating without a regulatory licence, or a trading desk that has not documented its compliance procedures, will face rejection. The level of scrutiny is higher than some fintech-friendly payment institutions, reflecting the company's focus on institutional quality over customer acquisition.
Stablecoin transfer functionality is offered conditionally. Clear Junction can facilitate on-chain stablecoin transfers for eligible customers, but eligibility is determined during onboarding and varies based on the client's risk profile, regulatory standing, and use case. A platform may be approved for GBP and EUR fiat accounts but not for stablecoin settlement, or vice versa. This conditional approach indicates the company is carefully segmenting risk rather than offering a one-size-fits-all crypto service.
The company celebrates 10 years of operation in 2026 (given its 2016 founding), indicating a track record of survival and customer satisfaction through regulatory changes, market cycles, and competition. For an infrastructure provider, longevity is relevant; a startup payment processor might disappear or get acquired within years, but Clear Junction has demonstrated persistence and growth through a full market cycle.
Clear Junction's regulatory positioning is solid but less expansive than ClearBank Europe (a full clearing bank) or BCB Group (with authorisation across multiple major jurisdictions). It is an EMI under FCA regulation, which is more stringent than a payment institution but less demanding than a credit institution. For UK and EU-based platforms, FCA authorisation is sufficient; for a platform with significant US or Asian exposure, BCB Group's multi-jurisdictional licensing might be more strategically important. For an enterprise customer or institutional investor that specifically requires UK FCA authorisation, Clear Junction is a direct fit.
The company does not publish pricing on its public website, indicating that fees are quoted per customer based on volume, currency mix, and services required. There is no indication of minimum balances, minimum transaction thresholds, or setup fees on the public materials, but these are typically negotiated. The lack of published pricing is typical of payment institutions serving institutional clients; it reflects the customised nature of the relationship rather than a refusal to disclose costs.
Clear Junction is notably selective about its customer base. By limiting itself to regulated firms and requiring mature compliance programmes, the company has reduced its addressable market compared to payment processors that serve startups and unregulated operations. A newly founded crypto exchange without regulatory approval will not be approved. A sole proprietor or a loosely-structured trading firm will not qualify. This selectivity is strategic: it reduces compliance costs per customer, lowers fraud and regulatory risk, and positions the company as a conservative, stable provider rather than a fast-growth fintech.
The company's European footprint (offices in UK, Poland, Latvia, Netherlands) suggests a regional focus rather than global operations. Platforms with significant transaction flows in other regions may find that ClearBank Europe (with ECB/DNB authorisation) or BCB Group (with licensing in Switzerland and Dubai) offer better geographic coverage or specialised local relationships.
Clear Junction is the right fit for a mid-market, regulated digital asset business seeking straightforward GBP and EUR account infrastructure with strong UK compliance credentials. For a compliance-led trading firm or regulated exchange that needs no-nonsense payments infrastructure and trusts that FCA registration is sufficient, Clear Junction delivers a proven platform without unnecessary complexity. For a startup seeking approval from a lenient provider or a platform needing multi-jurisdictional coverage, other options may be better suited.
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