Crypto Exchange Licence
Banks, liquidity providers and payment rails all ask the same question before touching an exchange: where are you licensed? A full EU MiCA CASP licence needs €150,000 in capital and three to six months; faster routes like Georgia (~60 days) or an offshore VASP cost far less. We map the one that matches your volumes and banking.
What licence does a crypto exchange need?
A crypto exchange licence is the authorisation to run trading of digital assets (spot markets, brokerage, fiat on/off-ramps) for the public. Since MiCA took full effect, the market has split cleanly: EU-facing exchanges need a CASP authorisation in a member state, and globally-facing exchanges pick a regulated non-EU home that banking partners accept.
The EU route runs through Lithuania or Estonia: a CASP authorisation with €150,000 capital for the trading-platform class, 3–6 months on a complete file, and passporting into all 27 member states by notification. It's real regulation with real substance (a local entity, local officers), and it's what EU banks and PSPs now expect to see.
The speed-and-value route is Georgia: the National Bank runs a genuine VASP regime that registers an exchange in roughly two months at a token state fee (~$500), in a jurisdiction where individuals pay no tax on crypto gains and a Georgian company pays standard corporate tax. It doesn't passport into the EU, but for a global exchange serving non-EU markets it is one of the best-value regulated homes we work with. Offshore VASP regimes (Seychelles, BVI, St. Vincent) fill the gap between the two.
Licence routes for a crypto exchange
NBG VASP registration in ≈60 days at ~$500 state fee, 0% personal crypto tax, real regulator. The value route for global-facing exchanges.
Lithuania or Estonia authorisation, €150k capital for trading platforms, 3–6 months, passports to all 27 EU states. The only door into the EU now.
Seychelles ($100k capital), BVI or St. Vincent — regulated homes outside both blocs for exchanges optimising cost and flexibility.
Exchange licence routes compared
| Route | Capital / fees | Timeline | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Georgia (VASP) | ~$500 state fee | ≈60 days | Speed, no personal crypto tax, global-facing |
| Lithuania (MiCA CASP) | €50k / €125k / €150k capital by class | 3–6 months | EU market via passporting |
| Estonia (MiCA CASP) | €50k / €125k / €150k capital by class | 4–6 months | EU market, VASP-upgrade path |
| Seychelles (VASP) | $100k capital (exchange) | 3–6 months | Offshore with real substance |
| BVI (VASP) | $10k application + $25k yearly registration | 8–14 months realistic | Structuring flexibility |
| St. Vincent (VASP) | ~$6k fees + XCD 100k deposit | ≈90 days | Low-cost registration |
Crypto exchange licence requirements
How to get a crypto exchange licence
- Scope call Your exchange, target markets and custody model. We confirm which activities are actually licensable, where, and what the all-in number is. Day 1
- Company & structure We incorporate the entity where the regime wants it, with the director, office and officers that regulator expects. Week 1–3
- File & evidence KYC on owners, business plan, AML/CFT programme, custody architecture and liquidity arrangements. We assemble the file and run the regulator dialogue to approval. Week 3+
- Authorisation & rails Licence or registration granted; banking/EMI accounts and on/off-ramps plugged in around it. We stay on for reporting and renewals. Regime-dependent
Want the shortlist for a crypto exchange?
Tell us your product, target markets and payment mix — we'll confirm the route that gets you live fastest at the lowest all-in cost, with the number itemised.
How much does a crypto exchange licence cost?
Regulator schedules and statutory capital only. Our service fee is itemised separately, and capital is your money on your balance sheet, not a fee. Banking/EMI onboarding is quoted with the licence: an exchange without fiat rails doesn't run.
Where to license a crypto exchange
Crypto exchange licence FAQ
How much does a crypto exchange licence cost?
Georgia registers a VASP for a ~$500 state fee (plus setup costs). A MiCA CASP needs €150,000 capital for the trading-platform class plus authorisation costs. Offshore: Seychelles wants $100k capital and an SCR 75,000 application fee, BVI charges an exchange $10,000 to apply and $25,000 a year in registration fees, St. Vincent ~$6k in fees plus a XCD 100,000 deposit.
What's the fastest way to license an exchange?
Georgia — about 60 days from a complete file with the National Bank. MiCA routes run 3–6 months (Lithuania) to ~8 (Czech Republic); BVI realistically 8–14 months.
Do I need MiCA to serve EU users?
Yes — since the transition ended, actively serving EU clients requires a CASP authorisation in a member state (then passported). Legacy VASP registrations no longer cover it. Reverse solicitation is a narrow exception that will not carry a business.
Can one licence cover exchange plus custody?
Yes, if filed that way: MiCA authorises multiple services in one CASP application (custody raises the capital class), and Seychelles/BVI license by activity category. We scope the activity set before filing. Adding services later means a variation, not a new licence.
What about banking for the exchange?
You need the licence first, but the fiat rails come from EMIs and banks that accept your regime. We line up the banking with the licence; it's usually the longer pole of the two.
Licensing something other than a crypto exchange?
Reviewed by the Vantegris licensing team. This page is general information, not legal advice. Fee schedules and timelines mirror our jurisdiction pages and change when regulators change them.
Start your crypto exchange licence file.
Tell us the product and we'll map the licence, banking and structure that gets it live. The consultation is free and confidential, and most enquiries get a reply within 24 hours.