How to Build a FinTech MVP Without Breaking Compliance Rules

FinTech is the most compliance-dense space in software development. PCI DSS for card payments, SOC 2 for enterprise sales, BSA/AML for money movement, GLBA for financial data, before you write your first line of code, the regulatory landscape for a US FinTech product can feel paralyzing. But here's the thing: most early-stage US FinTech MVPs don't need to solve all of this at once. The key is knowing which compliance requirements apply to your specific product at your specific stage, and building your architecture so you can add the rest incrementally. The First Question: Are You Handling Money Directly? This single distinction determines most of your compliance burden: Payments facilitation (direct): You're moving money, collecting payments, disbursing funds, holding balances. You need PCI DSS compliance and potentially a money transmitter license. Payments facilitation (via partner): Stripe, Plaid, Braintree handle the actual money movement. You use their APIs. Your PCI scope is dram