Overview
At Shield, we are committed to maintaining the highest standards of compliance and regulatory adherence. This page outlines the jurisdictions deemed restricted or non-acceptable based on assessments by Shield and its regulatory partners. These classifications are informed by global and regional watchlists such as FATF and are in alignment with our VASP regulator guidelines.
Non-Acceptable Countries
Shield does not accept customers or facilitate any transactions involving the following countries due to high sanctions and regulatory risks:
Iran
Democratic People's Republic of Korea (North Korea)
Russia
High-Risk Countries
Transactions involving customers or businesses from the following countries are subject to Enhanced Due Diligence (EDD) and require prior written approval from Shield and its banking partners:
Afghanistan
Barbados
Burkina Faso
Cameroon
Cuba
Democratic Republic of Congo
Gibraltar
Haiti
Jamaica
Mali
Mozambique
Myanmar/Burma
Nigeria
Panama
Philippines
Senegal
South Africa
South Sudan
Syria
Tanzania
Trinidad and Tobago
Uganda
United Arab Emirates
Vanuatu
Venezuela
Vietnam
Yemen
Medium-Risk Countries
Transactions involving these jurisdictions are considered higher-risk and may also require additional due diligence and approval:
Albania
Algeria
Andorra
Angola
Anguilla
Antigua and Barbuda
Netherlands Antilles
Saudi Arabia
Argentina
Armenia
Aruba
Azerbaijan
Bahamas
Bahrain
Bangladesh
Belize
Bermuda
Bhutan
Belarus
Bolivia
Botswana
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Brunei
British Virgin Islands
Burundi
Cambodia
Cayman Islands
Chad
Curaçao
Northern Cyprus
Dominica
Dominican Republic
Djibouti
Egypt
Ecuador
Eritrea
Ethiopia
Gabon
Gambia
Ghana
Grenada
Georgia
Guyana
Guatemala
Equatorial Guinea
Guinea
Honduras
India
Indonesia
Iraq
Israel
Jersey
Jordan
Kazakhstan
Kenya
Kyrgyzstan
Colombia
Kosovo
Costa Rica
Kuwait
Laos
Lesotho
Lebanon
Liberia
Libya
Macedonia
Madagascar
Macau
Malawi
Maldives
Malaysia
Malta
Martinique
Mauritania
Mauritius
Mexico
Moldova
Monaco
Mongolia
Montserrat
Morocco
Namibia
Nauru
Nepal
Nicaragua
Niger
Niue
Pakistan
Papua New Guinea
Paraguay
Peru
Cape Verde
Central African Republic
Rwanda
Saint Kitts & Nevis
Saint Lucia
Saint Vincent & the Grenadines
Serbia
Seychelles
Sierra Leone
Somalia
Sri Lanka
Sudan
Suriname
Tajikistan
Thailand
East Timor
Togo
Tonga
Tunisia
Turkey
Turkmenistan
Turks and Caicos
Ukraine
Uzbekistan
Côte d'Ivoire
Isle of Man
Cook Islands
Marshall Islands
São Tomé and Príncipe
Zambia
Zimbabwe
Important Note
Clients and potential users from these restricted jurisdictions should reach out to Shield's compliance department for further inquiries or guidance regarding their specific situations.
Restricted Industries
Shield restricts or prohibits the acceptance of customers operating in certain high-risk industries due to regulatory, fraud, and compliance concerns. The following industries are classified as high-risk and may require comprehensive Enhanced Due Diligence (EDD) and prior approval:
Scrap metal trading
Manufacture or distribution of tobacco products
Pawnshops
Trading in fuels, oil, heating materials
Dealers in luxury goods or entities involved in the sale or acquisition of luxury goods (e.g., works of art, antiques, precious stones, precious metals, jewellery, ivory)
Gambling casinos and operators of games of chance and skill
Lending companies
Remittances
Real estate trade
Trade in arms and military equipment
Nightclubs
Boat or aircraft dealers
Trading in energy or CO2 limits
Consultancy services
Waste segregation and disposal
Manufacture of explosives
Financial intermediation
Activities related to cultural artefacts, ivory, protected species, or other objects of archaeological, historical, cultural, and religious interest or of special scientific value
Virtual currency exchange
Note:
This list represents industries that Shield deems high-risk and subject to stringent compliance checks. Additional industries may also be restricted based on evolving regulations. For further clarification or inquiries, please contact Shield's compliance department.