Methodology · Tool · Last updated 2026-05-08
How FTC vs FCA vs MiCA+DORA Regulatory Cost works
Cost-formula derivation and source citations for the regulatory cost comparator. Snapshot data only — not legal advice.
Cost formula
setup_cost = setup_hours · complexity · hourly_rate
monthly_cost = monthly_hours · complexity · volume_tier · hourly_rate
+ annual_fees / 12
+ (legal_hours_per_year · legal_hourly) / 12
annual_cost = monthly_cost · 12 + annual_feesSnapshot data — as of 2026-04-25
United States — FTC
- Setup hours: 40 (light register-as-needed regime).
- Monthly hours: 8.
- Annual fees: $0.
- Legal hours/year: 12 at $650/hr.
- Frictions: state-level rules (CA Privacy Rights Act, NY DFS) layer on top; FTC enforcement is reactive but settlements bite hard (Rite Aid algorithmic-bias order, 2024).
United Kingdom — FCA
- Setup hours: 60 (Consumer Duty implementation, principles-based).
- Monthly hours: 12.
- Annual fees: $1,200.
- Legal hours/year: 18 at $750/hr.
- Frictions: Consumer Duty (in force 2023), Financial Promotions gateway approval if marketing to UK retail.
European Union — MiCA + DORA
- Setup hours: 200 (CASP licensing under MiCA + DORA conformity).
- Monthly hours: 30.
- Annual fees: $8,500 (regulator fees + DORA register).
- Legal hours/year: 60 at $550/hr.
- Frictions: MiCA CASP license process (≥6 months, capital requirements); DORA ICT-third-party register and TLPT every 3 years; AI Act conformity assessment for high-risk uses.
Source citations
- FTC (2024). "Operation AI Comply: continuing the FTC's focus on AI claims." Press release.
- FCA (2024). "Final Report: Artificial Intelligence in UK Financial Services." Discussion Paper DP24/3.
- European Parliament & Council (2023). "Regulation (EU) 2023/1114 on markets in crypto-assets" (MiCA). OJ L 150.
- European Parliament & Council (2022). "Regulation (EU) 2022/2554 on digital operational resilience" (DORA). OJ L 333.
- European Parliament & Council (2024). "Regulation (EU) 2024/1689" — AI Act. OJ L 1689.
Limitations
- Hour estimates are based on practitioner reports — your mileage will vary by 2–3× depending on product complexity.
- State-level rules (US) and member-state implementations (EU) add friction not captured in the cross-jurisdiction comparison.
- Costs of failure (fines, settlements) are not modelled — small chance of large impact.
- Pricing snapshots age. Verify with counsel and current regulator fee schedules before use.