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MiCA CASP authorisation is the single EU-wide licence for crypto-asset service providers: exchange, custody, trading platforms and advisory.Passport your services to all 30 EU/EEA countries (27 EU plus Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway) from the jurisdiction of your choice.
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Overview
The EU MiCA regulation (Markets in Crypto-Assets) is the single licensing framework for crypto-asset service providers (CASPs) across the EU plus Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway, replacing national VASP regimes. Once authorised by any national competent authority (NCA), your company can passport its services across the EU without per‑country licences.
One authorisation, 30 EU/EEA countries: serve clients from the jurisdiction of your choice
10 regulated services, including exchange, custody, trading platforms, advisory and transfers
DORA-aligned ICT security and operational resilience framework, built in from day one
Clear capital thresholds from €50,000 to €150,000 by CASP class, for regulatory certainty upfront
Regulatory credibility that unlocks EU banking access, institutional partners and investor trust
Authorisation from 6 months, with full project management and NCA liaison handled by MAXCORP
Choosing the right EU jurisdiction for your CASP licence involves several factors beyond the regulation itself: corporate tax rates, employment costs, NCA processing times, supervisory fees and substance expectations. Jurisdiction selection is part of our Gold readiness audit, based on your service scope, CASP class and tax position. MAXCORP covers eight EU jurisdictions through local legal teams and regulatory partners, and we recommend the best-fit country based on your service scope and tax position rather than defaulting to a single market.
Coverage
MiCA CASP authorisation covers a wide range of crypto-asset business models, from advisory firms and portfolio managers to centralised exchanges and custody providers. Most crypto businesses fall into Class 2 or Class 3, as exchange, trading platform and custody services carry higher capital and governance thresholds than advisory or brokerage activities. Check below which class applies to your services and the associated minimum capital requirement.
You need: to provide investment advice on crypto-assets, manage client crypto portfolios, or act as a broker transmitting and executing orders on behalf of clients.
CASP gives you: Class 1 authorisation (€50,000 capital) for advisory, order transmission and portfolio management, with lighter governance than Class 2 and 3.
You need: to transfer crypto-assets between wallets on behalf of clients, or provide crypto-based payment facilitation and settlement services across the EU.
CASP gives you: authorisation for crypto transfer services with EU-wide passporting. Fiat payment services still require a separate EMI or PI licence under PSD2.
You need: to legally exchange crypto-assets for fiat or other crypto, operate an order book or matching engine, and serve EU retail or institutional clients.
CASP gives you: EU-wide authorisation covering crypto-to-fiat and crypto-to-crypto exchange, with passporting to all 30 EU/EEA countries from your chosen jurisdiction.
You need: to safeguard client crypto-assets or private keys, operate custodial wallets, or provide institutional-grade custody solutions for digital assets.
CASP gives you: Class 2 authorisation (€125,000 capital), allowing custody and administration of crypto-assets with strict segregation and safeguarding obligations.
MiCA sets minimum capital requirements based on your CASP class. The thresholds below apply uniformly across all EU member states. Own funds must also cover at least one quarter of the previous year’s fixed overheads, so early-stage operators should plan capital beyond the minimums shown.
Most licensing consultancies operate in one or two EU jurisdictions and will recommend their home market regardless of your business model. MAXCORP covers eight EU countries through local legal teams and regulatory partners, so our jurisdiction recommendation is driven by what works best for your company rather than where we happen to have a presence. We match your business model to the right NCA, tax regime and substance framework before any commitment.
We assess your business model against eight EU jurisdictions to find the optimal fit for your tax position, substance capacity and target markets. You get an informed recommendation, not a default suggestion based on where the consultant sits.
From jurisdiction selection and company formation through capital injection, documentation, NCA application and post-authorisation compliance. We handle everything, including substance setup, local directors, CO/MLRO sourcing and banking introductions.
MAXCORP has operated as a trusted corporate services provider for over 25 years, delivering fintech licensing projects including EMI, PI, crowdfunding and crypto-asset licences across multiple EU jurisdictions with a thorough compliance process checklist.
EU credit institution bank account introductions, AML team outsourcing, DORA compliance frameworks and ongoing regulatory reporting. We support your operations long after authorisation, so your CASP stays compliant as MiCA standards evolve.
Comparison
The table below compares three leading fintech licensing routes: EU MiCA CASP, Switzerland SRO and Canada MSB (FINTRAC). EU MiCA CASP provides passporting across all 30 EU/EEA countries (27 EU plus Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway) but requires significantly more capital, local substance and time. Switzerland SRO offers the strongest banking prestige, with fiat and crypto covered under one regulation from 3 months. Canada MSB has the lowest entry requirements, with no minimum capital, no resident director and a 2‑week ready‑made route.
| Factor | EU MiCA CASP licence | Switzerland SRO (VQF) | Canada MSB (FINTRAC) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum authorised capital | €50,000 to €150,000 | CHF 20,000 (GmbH) / 100,000 (AG) | None |
| Resident director required | EU resident | Swiss resident | No |
| Timeline (new application) | 6 to 10 months | 3 to 4 months (~1 month ready‑made) | 4 to 8 months (2 weeks ready‑made) |
| Fiat & crypto in one licence | Separate EMI + CASP | Yes | Yes |
| EU passporting | 30 EU/EEA countries | Non-EU | Non-EU |
| Global client reach | EU-focused | Worldwide | Worldwide |
| Banking prestige | Variable by jurisdiction | Excellent (Swiss regulated) | Good (FATF‑aligned) |
| DLT / crypto-specific law | MiCA (2024) | DLT Act 2021 | PCMLTFA (no crypto‑specific law) |
| Setup from (our packages) | From €80,000 | From €25,000 | From €25,000 |
Informational only. Learn more about our Switzerland SRO and Canada MSB licensing services.
Jurisdictions
The optimal jurisdiction for your CASP licence depends on your business model, tax strategy, substance capacity and target markets. We cover eight EU countries through our network of local legal teams and regulatory partners. Each jurisdiction has distinct advantages depending on whether you prioritise speed, tax efficiency, regulatory credibility or operational costs.
LatviaLatvijas Banka
LithuaniaBank of Lithuania
EstoniaEstonian FSA
PolandKNF
MaltaMFSA
CyprusCySEC
Czech RepublicCNB
AustriaFMAJurisdiction selection is part of the Gold readiness audit, based on your business model, service scope and objectives. Latvia in detail: MiCA CASP licence in Latvia.
Pricing
Three service tiers for different stages of readiness and project scope. The Gold readiness audit is a standalone assessment for companies exploring their options and comparing jurisdictions. Platinum covers the full CASP licence application through to NCA authorisation and regulatory go-live, and Custom adds operational team building and local substance for a complete turnkey solution with ongoing support.
Gold
€15,000fixed fee, credited towards Platinum
A detailed assessment of your business model against MiCA requirements. You receive a written report with CASP class determination, jurisdiction recommendation and a clear project roadmap.
Platinum
From €80,000
Full licensing cycle from regulatory documentation through NCA submission and authorisation. Includes all policy drafting, application management and post-approval compliance framework setup.
Custom
From €150,000
Everything in Platinum plus full operational setup. We source and hire your local compliance team, establish office substance, arrange banking and provide ongoing AML outsourcing and staff management.
* Pricing is indicative and subject to final confirmation. Prices exclude VAT. Platinum and Custom depend on jurisdiction and CASP class. Regulatory capital, company formation and NCA supervisory fees are separate.
Timeline
The MiCA authorisation process follows a structured regulatory sequence common across all EU member states, though exact timelines vary by NCA and application complexity. Well-prepared applications with complete documentation consistently progress faster than those requiring multiple rounds of supplementary information requests from the NCA.
Build the application pack, governance and controls before submission to the regulator.
Structuring and governance setup, core policies, AML/CFT framework, ICT controls and evidence of substance (people, processes and oversight).
~2months
Practical note: Preparation typically takes 2 to 3 months, depending on scope, staffing and documentation readiness. MAXCORP manages the full preparation process.
What to prepare
Set scope correctly and build evidence the business can operate under supervision.
The NCA checks the file is complete, admissible and ready for assessment.
The authority confirms the required documents are present, consistent and correctly structured before the detailed assessment begins.
~1.5months
Legal timeline: The NCA has 25 business days to assess completeness. Incomplete submissions may be returned and must be resubmitted.
What must be complete
A coherent application pack prevents pauses and supports faster progression.
Review of MiCA compliance and a final authorisation decision by the NCA.
Assessment of governance and ownership, prudential safeguards, compliance, ICT risk management and operational readiness.
~2months
Legal timeline: Decision within 40 business days from receipt of a complete application, extendable once by 20 business days in complex cases.
What is assessed
The NCA tests whether governance, controls and oversight work in practice.
Operational launch and cross-border notifications to host member states.
Finalise operational go-live and submit passporting notifications to the intended host member states for EU-wide provision of services.
~6 to 10months total
Passporting note: Services may be provided EU-wide following notifications to the intended host member states. No separate licence is required per country.
What to maintain
Ongoing supervision expects live compliance, not just paper policies.
* Timelines are indicative and depend on scope, documentation quality, NCA workload and local substance readiness.
Process
Step 1
We evaluate your business model, determine your CASP class and assess your compliance posture. Based on your service scope, tax strategy and operational preferences, we recommend the optimal EU jurisdiction for your CASP authorisation.
Step 2
We incorporate your EU entity in the chosen jurisdiction, arrange the registered address, appoint local directors where required and coordinate the capital injection into an EU credit institution bank account to meet your CASP class threshold.
Step 3
Our legal team prepares the full MiCA documentation package, including AML/CFT policies, governance framework and DORA-aligned ICT security policies. We file the application with the NCA and manage the review process through to authorisation.
Step 4
Once authorised, your CASP is entered into the ESMA public register with EU-wide passporting rights. We assist with ongoing AML compliance, regulatory reporting, substance management, banking introductions and DORA compliance monitoring.
Requirements
A MiCA CASP application is a full regulatory licensing process, not a simple registration. NCAs expect tailored documentation that reflects your actual business model, governance structure and risk profile. Generic templates or copied policies from other jurisdictions will be rejected or cause significant delays during the review process.
NCAs require genuine operational presence in the licensing jurisdiction, not a letterbox setup. In practice this means a minimum of 3 to 5 locally based professionals filling key regulatory roles throughout the life of the licence:
A physical office in the jurisdiction is expected for most CASP classes. MAXCORP can support with sourcing qualified local professionals, office establishment and ongoing role management through our Custom package across all eight jurisdictions we cover.
FAQ
A CASP licence is an authorisation under the EU Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (MiCA, Regulation (EU) 2023/1114) that allows your company to provide regulated crypto-asset services across all 27 EU member states, plus Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway under the EEA Agreement (30 EU/EEA countries in total). It replaces the fragmented national VASP registration systems with a single, harmonised licensing regime with EU‑wide passporting rights.
MiCA defines 10 regulated services: custody and administration of crypto-assets, operation of a trading platform, exchange of crypto-assets for funds, exchange of crypto-assets for other crypto-assets, execution of orders, placing of crypto-assets, reception and transmission of orders, providing advice, portfolio management and transfer services. Any company offering one or more of these to EU clients must obtain CASP authorisation.
MiCA sets three capital tiers: €50,000 for Class 1 (advice, reception and transmission or execution of orders, placing, transfers, portfolio management), €125,000 for Class 2 (Class 1 services plus custody and exchange) and €150,000 for Class 3 (Class 2 services plus operating a trading platform). Own funds must also cover at least one quarter of the previous year’s fixed overheads. These thresholds are identical across all 30 EU/EEA countries where MiCA applies.
Once authorised by the NCA in your home member state, you notify the NCA of your intention to provide cross-border services. The home NCA forwards this to the host NCA and ESMA. Your authorisation and passporting status are published in ESMA’s public register. No separate licence is needed in each country.
Timelines vary by jurisdiction and CASP class. In practice the full process from documentation preparation through NCA authorisation usually takes 6 to 10 months. Well-prepared applications with tailored documentation progress faster than those requiring multiple rounds of supplementary information requests. MAXCORP manages the full process to minimise delays.
The optimal jurisdiction depends on your business model, tax strategy and target markets. Latvia and Estonia offer 0% tax on retained earnings, Lithuania has one of the most experienced fintech regulators, and Poland is the largest Central European market. Malta offers a tax-efficient structure through shareholder refunds, Cyprus combines a competitive tax regime with CySEC experience, and Austria offers strong regulatory credibility. Contact us for a tailored jurisdiction recommendation.
A non-EU company cannot directly obtain a CASP licence. However, non-EU founders can establish an EU legal entity, appoint EU-resident management and apply for CASP authorisation through that entity. MAXCORP handles the full incorporation and structuring process in any of our eight covered jurisdictions.
VASP (Virtual Asset Service Provider) refers to the old national registration regimes before MiCA. CASP (Crypto-Asset Service Provider) is the new MiCA authorisation. All existing VASPs had to apply for CASP authorisation during a transition period that ran until mid-2026 in most jurisdictions. New market entrants must apply directly.
MiCA requires fit and proper management, at least one EU-resident director, effective risk management, conflict of interest policies, business continuity planning and DORA-aligned ICT security frameworks. NCAs assess governance arrangements as part of the authorisation review.
Yes. Our Custom package includes ongoing AML team outsourcing, regulatory reporting, CO/MLRO role fulfilment and DORA compliance monitoring. We also provide standalone compliance services for existing CASPs. Learn more about our compliance services.
Switzerland SRO covers fiat and crypto under a single AMLA licence from 3 months, without EU passporting but with strong banking prestige. Canada MSB (FINTRAC) is the fastest option, with a ready-made MSB from 2 weeks and no minimum capital. Both serve as complementary licences alongside EU MiCA CASP. Learn more about Switzerland SRO and Canada MSB.
Total cost depends on jurisdiction, CASP class and project scope. Our Gold readiness audit starts from €15,000. Platinum full application packages start from €80,000. Custom turnkey packages start from €150,000. Regulatory capital (€50,000 to €150,000), NCA fees and annual supervisory fees are additional. Contact us for a detailed estimate.
Contact
Tell us about your project and receive a tailored proposal with indicative timelines and a budget from our legal and compliance team.
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