The EU MiCA regulation (Markets in Crypto-Assets) is the single licensing framework for Crypto-Asset Service Providers (CASPs) across all 27 EU member states. MiCA replaced the fragmented national VASP registration systems that were active until 2025. Once authorized by any national competent authority (NCA), your company can passport its crypto-asset services to clients across the entire European Union without obtaining separate licences in each country.
Choosing the right EU jurisdiction for your CASP license involves several factors beyond the regulation itself: corporate tax rates, employment costs, NCA processing times, supervisory fees and substance expectations. 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.
MiCA CASP authorization covers a wide range of crypto-asset business models, from advisory firms and portfolio managers to centralized 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.
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, which means 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.
The optimal jurisdiction for your CASP license 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 prioritize speed, tax efficiency, regulatory credibility or operational costs. Contact us for a tailored recommendation based on your specific situation.
Jurisdiction selection is part of our Gold readiness audit. We assess your business model, service scope and objectives before recommending the optimal country. Contact us for a free initial consultation.
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 27 EU member states 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 is the fastest and lowest-cost entry point, with registration from 2 weeks and no minimum capital requirement.
| Factor | EU MiCA CASP Licence | Switzerland SRO | Canada MSB (FINTRAC) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum authorised capital | €50,000 – €150,000 | CHF 20,000 (GmbH) / 100,000 (AG) | None |
| Resident director required | Yes (EU resident) | Yes (Swiss resident) | No |
| Timeline (new application) | 6-10 months | From 3 months | From 2 weeks |
| Fiat & crypto in one licence | No (separate EMI + CASP) | Yes | Yes |
| EU passporting | Yes (27 member states) | No (non-EU) | No (non-EU) |
| Global client reach | EU-focused | Yes, worldwide | Yes, worldwide |
| Banking prestige | Variable by jurisdiction | Excellent (Swiss regulated) | Good (FATF-aligned) |
| DLT / crypto-specific law | MiCA (2024) | Yes (DLT Act 2021) | PCMLTFA + case law |
| Setup from (our packages) | From €80,000 | From €20,000 | From €20,000 |
Contact us for a tailored multi-jurisdiction strategy. Learn more about Switzerland SRO » | Learn more about Canada MSB »
We offer three service tiers to match 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 license application from documentation through NCA authorization and regulatory go-live. Custom adds operational team building and local substance setup for companies that need a complete turnkey solution with ongoing support.
Note: pricing varies by jurisdiction and CASP class. Company formation, capital injection and annual NCA supervisory fees are available as separate add-ons.
The MiCA authorization 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.
* Timelines are indicative and depend on scope, documentation quality, NCA workload and local substance readiness. Informational only.
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 3-5 locally based professionals filling key regulatory roles throughout the life of the license:
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.
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 authorization.
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.
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 authorization.
Once authorized, 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.
A CASP license is an authorization 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. It replaces the fragmented national VASP registration systems with a single, harmonized 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 for fiat or other crypto, 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 authorization.
MiCA sets three capital tiers: EUR 50,000 for Class 1 (advisory, order transmission, placing), EUR 125,000 for Class 2 (exchange, trading platforms) and EUR 150,000 for Class 3 (custody). Own funds must also cover at least one quarter of the previous year’s fixed overheads. These thresholds are identical across all EU member states.
Once authorized 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 authorization and passporting status are published in ESMA’s public register. No separate license is needed in each country.
Timelines vary by jurisdiction and CASP class. In practice the full process from documentation preparation through NCA authorization usually takes 6-10 months. Well-prepared applications with tailored documentation process faster than those requiring multiple rounds of supplementary information requests. MAXCORP manages the full process to minimize delays.
The optimal jurisdiction depends on your business model, tax strategy and target markets. Estonia and Latvia offer 0% tax on retained earnings. Malta provides approximately 5% effective corporate tax. Cyprus combines 12.5% CIT with CySEC experience. Austria offers strong regulatory credibility. Contact us for a tailored jurisdiction recommendation.
A non-EU company cannot directly obtain a CASP license. However, non-EU founders can establish an EU legal entity, appoint EU-resident management and apply for CASP authorization 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 authorization. All existing VASPs had to apply for CASP authorization 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 authorization 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 registration from 2 weeks and no minimum capital. Both serve as complementary licences alongside EU MiCA CASP. Switzerland SRO | Canada MSB
Total cost depends on jurisdiction, CASP class and project scope. Our Gold readiness audit starts from EUR 15,000. Platinum full application packages start from EUR 80,000. Custom turnkey packages start from EUR 150,000. Regulatory capital (EUR 50,000-150,000), NCA fees and annual supervisory fees are additional. Contact us for a detailed estimate.
Contact us through the form below or use any of our direct channels to discuss your MiCA CASP licensing project. Every project we handle is backed by our multi-jurisdiction legal network’s hands-on expertise and a thorough compliance process, ensuring all MiCA requirements are addressed before NCA submission. Share your business model overview and preferred jurisdiction (if any) and we will get back to you with a preliminary assessment and project outline.
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Contact us to discuss your MiCA CASP licensing project with our EU regulatory team or to arrange an online consultation.
