Methodology: FTC vs FCA vs MiCA+DORA Cost

Worked example

Running the shipped ftc-vs-nlt-regulatory-cost engine on the input below produces exactly this output. Continuous integration recomputes it against the engine bundle on every build, so these numbers cannot drift from the code.

Input

{
  "tool": "ftc-vs-nlt-regulatory-cost",
  "data_volume_tier": 2,
  "processing_complexity": 1.5,
  "hourly_rate": 120
}

Output

{
  "jurisdiction": {
    "id": "us-ftc",
    "name": "United States — FTC oversight",
    "short": "US (FTC)",
    "setupHours": 40,
    "monthlyHours": 8,
    "annualFeesUsd": 0,
    "legalHoursPerYear": 12,
    "legalHourlyUsd": 650,
    "gotchas": [
      "FTC enforcement is reactive, not registration-based — but settlements (like the 2024 Rite Aid algorithmic-bias order) bite hard.",
      "State-level rules (CA, NY) layer on top — biggest cost driver if you serve those markets.",
      "Disclosure and substantiation rules apply to performance claims; backtests need disclaimers."
    ],
    "frictionTier": 1
  },
  "setupCostUsd": 7200,
  "monthlyCostUsd": 3530,
  "annualCostUsd": 42360
}

Frequently asked questions

What does the FTC vs FCA vs MiCA+DORA Regulatory Cost methodology page document?

Source citations and assumptions behind the AI Fin Hub regulatory cost comparator (US FTC vs UK FCA vs EU MiCA + DORA). It states the formulas, assumptions, data sources, limitations, and reproducibility steps behind the FTC vs FCA vs MiCA+DORA Regulatory Cost, in the Finance category.

When was the FTC vs FCA vs MiCA+DORA Regulatory Cost methodology last reviewed?

This methodology was last reviewed on 2026-05-08. The matching tool is at https://aifinhub.io/ftc-vs-nlt-regulatory-cost/.

Are the FTC vs FCA vs MiCA+DORA Regulatory Cost numbers reproducible?

Yes. This page embeds a worked example whose output is the verbatim result of running the shipped ftc-vs-nlt-regulatory-cost engine on a fixed input; the embedded JSON is recomputed and diffed against the engine in CI, so the numbers cannot drift from the code.

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_fees

Snapshot 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.