# Prop Firm Company Formation Cost (2026)

> Forming a company for a prop firm costs from $100 in state or registry fees to several thousand dollars with agents and offshore setups, as of October 2026. Official fees: UK online registration 100 pounds; Wyoming LLC $100 to file plus at least $60 a year; Delaware LLCs pay a $400 annual tax. Free-zone and offshore structures are quote only through agents. Banking and payments decide the right place more than fees do.

- Source: https://pipvalley.com/guides/prop-firm-company-formation-cost
- Publisher: PipValley - web design studio for prop trading firms
- Updated: 2026-10-12

**Short answer:** Forming a company for a prop firm costs from $100 in state or registry fees to several thousand dollars with agents and offshore setups, as of October 2026. Official fees: UK online registration 100 pounds; Wyoming LLC $100 to file plus at least $60 a year; Delaware LLCs pay a $400 annual tax. Free-zone and offshore structures are quote only through agents. Banking and payments decide the right place more than fees do.

Company formation is one of the cheapest lines in a prop firm budget and one of the most consequential. The registry fee is small. What the place decides is everything downstream: which payment processors will onboard you, which banks will open an account, what your terms must say, and which traders you can serve.

Below are official fees we could verify on government pages, checked 12 October 2026, and an honest list of what formation agents charge on top. We do not recommend a jurisdiction.

> This guide explains how costs generally work. It is not legal, tax or financial advice. Rules and prices change often, so get written quotes and speak to a qualified professional in your jurisdiction before you commit money.

## What do official registries charge?

These are fees set by the registry itself. Agents, registered offices and lawyers are extra.

**Official formation and annual fees (as published by the registry, checked 12 October 2026)**

| Place | Entity | Formation fee | Annual cost | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | Private limited company | £100 online; £124 by post | Confirmation statement fee not covered here | GOV.UK |
| Wyoming, US | LLC | $100 (Articles of Organization) | Annual report license tax: $60 or two-tenths of one mill on Wyoming assets, whichever is greater | Wyoming Secretary of State, effective Jul 1, 2026 |
| Delaware, US | LLC | See the Division of Corporations fee schedule | $400 annual tax, due on or before June 1 | Delaware Division of Corporations |
| UAE free zones, Cyprus, BVI, Seychelles and others | Varies | Quote only, through licensed agents | Quote only | Varies |

## What do founders pay on top of registry fees?

Registry fees are rarely the total. Budget the following, most of which are quote only and vary widely by place and provider.

- Registered agent or registered office: required in most US states and offshore centers; priced by the provider.
- Formation agent: optional in the UK and US, usual offshore and in free zones.
- Licences or permits a jurisdiction may require for your activity. Whether a prop firm needs one depends on the place and the product; ask a local lawyer.
- Bank account: some banks decline trading-related businesses; expect due-diligence questions and possible delays.
- Trademark: the USPTO base application fee has been $350 per class since January 18, 2025, and GOV.UK says registering a UK trade mark "costs at least £205".
- Accounting and annual filings once you trade.

## How does the place affect the rest of the budget?

The place you incorporate shapes three larger lines. Payments: processors underwrite by jurisdiction, and some places are much easier to onboard than others. Legal: your terms, risk disclosure and restricted-countries list must fit the law where you are based and where your traders are. Banking: a company that cannot open a bank account cannot receive processor settlements or pay staff.

That is why founders who pick the cheapest registry sometimes spend more overall. Talk to your intended payment processor and bank before you incorporate, and ask which places they accept.

**Illustrative first-year formation budget (estimate; method: official fees above plus a provider-quoted range you must fill in)**

| Line | Lean (UK or Wyoming, self-filed) | Agent-assisted or offshore |
|---|---|---|
| Registry fee | £100 or $100 | Quote only |
| Registered agent or office | If required: provider price | Usually bundled in the agent quote |
| Trademark, one class | $350 (USPTO) or from £205 (UK) | Same, per office |
| Annual costs | $60+ (Wyoming) or $400 (Delaware LLC) | Quote only |

## What should you check before you incorporate?

Write down your payment processor's accepted jurisdictions, your bank's requirements and the countries you intend to serve. Then ask a lawyer whether the activity needs a licence there. Only then compare registry fees. For the full launch budget, see the hub guide on what it costs to start a prop firm.

- Which processors and banks will accept a company from this place?
- Does the activity need a licence or registration here, and what does that cost?
- What annual filings, taxes and agent fees recur?
- Which countries will we restrict, and does the website footer need entity details, a registration number or a registered address?
- Who will hold the domain, trademark and platform contracts: the operating company or a holding company?

## Questions

### How much does it cost to register a prop firm company?

Registering the company itself costs from about $100 in registry fees, as of October 2026: UK online registration is 100 pounds and a Wyoming LLC is $100 to file. Agents, offshore setups and licences cost more and are quote only.

### What is the annual cost of a Delaware LLC?

Delaware's Division of Corporations says LLCs pay an annual tax of $400, due on or before June 1, as checked in October 2026. Registered agent fees are extra.

### Which jurisdiction is best for a prop firm?

There is no single best jurisdiction. The right place is the one your payment processor and bank will accept and where your model is lawful. Ask a local lawyer before you incorporate.

### Do I need a trademark for my prop firm?

A trademark is optional but protects your brand. The USPTO base fee is $350 per class since January 2025, and GOV.UK says a UK trade mark costs at least 205 pounds.

## Sources

- [GOV.UK: Register your company](https://www.gov.uk/limited-company-formation/register-your-company)
- [Wyoming Secretary of State: Business Division filing fee schedule (effective Jul 1, 2026)](https://sos.wyo.gov/Business/Docs/BusinessFees.pdf)
- [Delaware Division of Corporations: LLC/LP/GP annual tax instructions](https://corp.delaware.gov/alt-entitytaxinstructions/)
- [Venable LLP: USPTO increases trademark fees for 2025](https://www.venable.com/insights/publications/2024/11/uspto-increases-trademark-fees-for-2025)
- [GOV.UK: Register a trade mark](https://www.gov.uk/how-to-register-a-trade-mark)
- [Stripe: restricted and prohibited businesses](https://stripe.com/legal/restricted-businesses)