Fixed Monthly Costs
Technology infrastructure forms the largest fixed cost: platform licensing fees ($5,000-$25,000/month depending on the provider), server hosting and colocation ($2,000-$8,000), liquidity provider connectivity ($1,000-$5,000), and CRM/back-office systems ($1,000-$3,000). Office rent, utilities, and basic administration add another $3,000-$15,000 depending on location.
Personnel Costs
A minimum viable team includes compliance officer, dealing desk operator, customer support (2-3 agents), IT administrator, and marketing manager. In mid-range jurisdictions, total salary costs range from $15,000 to $40,000 monthly. As volume grows, add risk management specialists, additional support staff, and account managers for high-value clients.
Variable Costs
Marketing spend scales with growth targets, typically consuming 30-50% of total budget in the first year. Payment processing fees (1-3% of deposit/withdrawal volume), regulatory reporting costs, and legal consultations represent ongoing variable expenses. Building a 12-month cash reserve covering all fixed costs before launch is strongly recommended.
