Prohibited Activities

Effective date: 1 July 2026

This list forms part of Finik's Acceptable Use Policy and Terms of Service. Clients whose activities fall within any category below are not eligible to use the Finik platform.

Financial Crime

  • Money laundering, terrorist financing, and proliferation financing
  • Sanctions evasion
  • Tax evasion, tax fraud, and wilful failure to report taxable events
  • Bribery and corruption in violation of applicable anti-corruption laws, including the Corruption of Foreign Public Officials Act (Canada) and equivalent legislation
  • Fraud, identity theft, and synthetic identity schemes
  • Market manipulation (wash trading, spoofing, pump-and-dump)
  • Ponzi schemes, pyramid schemes, and fraudulent investment structures
  • Insider trading

Crypto-Specific Prohibited Activity

  • Crypto mixers, tumblers, and chain-hopping services
  • Darknet markets and related services
  • Ransomware payments and ransomware-as-a-service
  • Unregistered or unlicensed virtual asset service providers
  • Peer-to-peer crypto exchange platforms without KYC/AML on participants
  • NFT wash trading and NFT-based money laundering
  • Privacy coins and non-traceable assets where Finik does not support the asset (current supported asset list is published on the platform)

Unlicensed Financial Services

  • Unlicensed money services businesses
  • Unregulated lending, credit, and pawnbroking
  • Unregistered securities offerings and unregulated investment management
  • Binary options platforms
  • Unregulated crowdfunding
  • Shell banks and nominee financial services
  • Unauthorised insurance underwriting and sales

Illegal and Harmful Goods

  • Narcotics, controlled substances, and precursor chemicals
  • Unlicensed weapons, firearms, and ammunition
  • Military and dual-use items in breach of export control laws
  • Counterfeit currency, forged documents, and trademark-infringing goods
  • Human trafficking, forced labour, and sexual exploitation

Sanctioned Persons, Entities, and Jurisdictions

  • Transactions involving sanctioned individuals or entities named on applicable sanctions lists, including the Global Affairs Canada Consolidated Canadian Autonomous Sanctions List, the UN Security Council Consolidated List, and the OFAC SDN List
  • Transactions involving persons or entities in jurisdictions on the Finik Restricted Jurisdictions List
  • Facilitation of sanctions evasion for third parties

Extremism and Hate

  • Terrorist organisations and entities listed under the Canadian Criminal Code terrorist entity listings or equivalent international lists
  • Violent extremism, including racially, ethnically, or ideologically motivated violent extremism
  • Hate groups and organisations that promote violence or discrimination on the basis of protected characteristics
  • Incitement to violence, genocide, or war crimes

Adult and Sensitive Content

  • Prostitution and escort services
  • Child sexual abuse material (CSAM) — zero tolerance; reported to law enforcement and Cybertip.ca

Harmful Digital Services

  • Malware, ransomware tools, exploit kits, and DDoS-for-hire services
  • Fake social media profiles and artificial engagement services
  • Stalkerware and surveillance technology sold for human rights abuse
  • Doxxing and coordinated harassment services

Unlicensed Gambling

  • Online gambling, sports betting, lotteries, and games of chance that are not licensed in the applicable jurisdiction

Restricted Industries — Pre-Approval Required

The following industries are not automatically prohibited but require Finik's explicit written approval and enhanced due diligence before onboarding:

  • Licensed gambling and online gaming operators
  • Cannabis and hemp businesses
  • Adult entertainment platforms (legal, consenting adults)
  • Precious metals, gemstones, and high-value goods dealers
  • Charitable organisations and not-for-profit entities
  • Other registered money services businesses and VASPs

Other Restricted Categories

  • Pharmaceutical goods and cross-border prescription drug sales
  • Tobacco, vaping, and nicotine products (cross-border)
  • Alcohol (cross-border, unlicensed)
  • Debt collection and debt settlement services
  • Multi-level marketing and pyramid selling schemes
  • Unregulated investment signal services and "no-loss" trading programmes
  • Political fundraising outside registered electoral entities

Updates

Finik may update this list at any time. For material changes, clients will receive 5 Business Days' prior written notice. Changes required by law or regulatory instruction may take effect immediately.

Questions: compliance@finik.ai

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