Licence types · Digital assets

Crypto-asset service provider (MiCA CASP)

EU authorisation for crypto-asset services, passportable across the EEA.

MiCA (Regulation (EU) 2023/1114) authorises CASPs for services including custody, operating a trading platform, exchange of crypto-assets for funds or other crypto-assets, execution, placing, reception and transmission, advice, portfolio management and transfer services. Minimum capital is EUR 50,000, 125,000 or 150,000 depending on services.

By jurisdiction

🇪🇺 European Union (passportable regimes)

MiCA crypto-asset service provider

Regulator: European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA)
Permitted activities: Crypto-asset services under MiCA Art. 3(1)(16): custody, trading platform, exchange for funds or crypto, execution, placing, RTO, advice, portfolio management, transfer services.
Minimum capital: EUR 50,000 / 125,000 / 150,000 depending on services (MiCA Art. 67 and Annex IV), or a quarter of fixed overheads if higher.
Ownership, management & substance: Registered office in the EU and at least one director resident in the EU; place of effective management in the EU.
Application procedure: Application to national competent authority; passporting through notification.
Government fees: Varies by member state — Verification required
Indicative timeline: MiCA sets assessment periods for NCAs; overall duration not reliably predictable
Limitations: Transitional (grandfathering) periods ended at the latest on 1 July 2026.
Legal basis: Regulation (EU) 2023/1114 (MiCA)

🇱🇹 Lithuania

Lithuanian MiCA CASP

Regulator: Bank of Lithuania (LB)
Permitted activities: As MiCA CASP.
Minimum capital: As MiCA (EUR 50,000–150,000).
Ownership, management & substance: EU place of effective management.
Application procedure: Application to Bank of Lithuania.
Government fees: Verification required
Indicative timeline: No reliable published estimate
Limitations: See MiCA.
Legal basis: MiCA