EU-passportable MiCA CASP from CySEC
Cyprus Crypto Licence
Cyprus is an EU crypto base with a fintech backbone. It pairs a CySEC CASP authorisation under MiCA (full EU passporting at €50,000–€150,000 capital by class) with an English-speaking, low-tax jurisdiction already dense with forex, fintech and fund managers. That makes it a credible, well-connected home for exchanges and brokers. Vantegris runs the CySEC file, the AML and DORA build, and the banking.
What is the Cyprus crypto licence?
Cyprus punches above its size in financial services, and its crypto regime reflects that. The Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC), the same regulator that made the island Europe's forex and CFD capital, is the competent authority for Crypto-Asset Service Provider (CASP) authorisation under MiCA. That heritage matters: CySEC understands high-volume, cross-border trading businesses, and the island already hosts the lawyers, auditors, banks and talent a licensed operator needs.
A Cyprus CASP is a full EU licence, passportable across all 27 member states on a notification basis, at initial capital of €50,000 to €150,000 by class — subject to MiCA's fixed-overheads test that can raise the figure, and met through own funds, an insurance policy or a combination of the two. The grandfathering window for legacy national registrations closed on 1 July 2026, and CySEC had set an internal filing deadline of 27 February 2026 for existing providers, so the field is moving. Plan six to twelve months from a complete filing (realistically ten to fourteen from incorporation). You need a Cyprus company with genuine substance, qualified management, an AML officer and a DORA-compliant ICT programme. With a competitive 15% corporate tax (raised from 12.5% in January 2026), English as a working language and a deep fintech ecosystem, Cyprus is a natural EU home for trading-heavy crypto businesses. We build the file to CySEC standard.
Why operators pick Cyprus
Serve every EU/EEA market from one CySEC authorisation under MiCA Article 65.
A deep bench of forex, fintech and fund specialists, banks and crypto-aware advisers.
A 15% corporate tax (from Jan 2026, the EU/OECD Pillar Two minimum) with an extensive treaty network.
English is widely used in business and law, simplifying documentation.
A regulator and workforce experienced with high-volume, cross-border platforms.
Cyprus vs. Malta (CASP)
| Criteria | Cyprus | Malta |
|---|---|---|
| Regulator | CySEC | MFSA |
| Heritage | Forex/CFD hub | Original crypto (VFA) hub |
| Min. capital | €50k–€150k by class | €50k–€150k by class |
| Corporate tax | 15% | Standard, with reliefs |
| Timeline | 6–12 months | 6–9 months |
| Passporting | EU-27 by notification | EU-27 by notification |
Who the Cyprus crypto licence suits
Cyprus crypto licence requirements
How to get a Cyprus crypto licence
- Scope & class Fix the CASP service classes, the capital tier and the governance and substance plan. 1–2 weeks
- Company & capital Incorporate the Cyprus company, fund own funds and put the local office and roles in place. 3–5 weeks
- Build the file Draft the programme of operations, AML/CFT, DORA and safeguarding policies to CySEC standard. 6–10 weeks
- Application & review File with CySEC and manage the review and RFIs to authorisation. 6–12 months
- Passport & launch Notify host states for EU passporting, finish banking onboarding and go live. On approval
Not sure Cyprus is the right fit?
Tell us your product and target markets — we'll confirm whether Cyprus or another jurisdiction gets you live fastest, at the lowest all-in cost.
How much does a Cyprus crypto licence cost?
- Cyprus company incorporation
- CASP application to CySEC
- Programme of operations & core policies
- Regulator liaison to authorisation
- Everything in Licence
- Full AML/CFT & MLRO framework
- DORA ICT resilience programme
- Own-funds arrangement & substance setup
- Everything in Turnkey
- Crypto-friendly banking & PSP introductions
- EU passport notifications
- Ongoing compliance & reporting support
The real commitments are the class-based own funds (which stay in the business, subject to a fixed-overhead test), Cyprus substance and the AML/DORA programme. Corporate tax is 15%. We model capital and staffing to your service classes before you file.
Compliance obligations in Cyprus
Technical & IT standards in Cyprus
After you go live in Cyprus
Which markets a Cyprus licence reaches
A CASP licence passports across the EU/EEA by notification, but you still follow each market's local rules and geo-block jurisdictions you are not authorised in — plus the United States, sanctioned and FATF-listed territories.
Operators must use GEO-IP blocking for restricted countries and any FATF-blacklisted nation. Non-compliance can lead to licence suspension or revocation.
Cyprus crypto licence FAQ
Why Cyprus for a crypto licence?
CySEC built Cyprus into Europe's forex and CFD hub, so it understands high-volume, cross-border trading businesses — and the island has the banks, lawyers, auditors and talent a licensed operator needs. Add a 15% corporate tax (up from 12.5% in January 2026) and English as a working language, and it's a natural EU base for trading-heavy crypto firms.
How much capital do I need?
The MiCA tiers apply, at €50,000 (Class 1), €125,000 (Class 2, custody/exchange) and €150,000 (Class 3, trading platform), but MiCA Article 67 makes you hold the higher of that tier or a quarter of the previous year's fixed overheads. You can meet it with own funds, an insurance policy or both.
How long does it take?
Plan six to twelve months from a complete filing, and realistically ten to fourteen months from incorporation. The grandfathering window closed on 1 July 2026, and CySEC had set a 27 February 2026 internal filing deadline for existing providers.
Does a Cyprus CASP passport across the EU?
Yes. It is a full MiCA authorisation and passports into all 27 member states on a notification basis.
Cyprus or Malta?
Both are full MiCA hubs with identical capital tiers and passporting. Cyprus leans on CySEC's forex/trading heritage and a 15% tax (raised from 12.5% in January 2026); Malta has the longer dedicated-crypto pedigree. We'll match the choice to your model, banking and timeline.
Reviewed by the Vantegris licensing team. Last updated September 2026. This page is general information, not legal advice. Licensing requirements vary by jurisdiction and change over time.
Start your Cyprus file.
Tell us your product and target markets and we will map the licence route. The consultation is free and confidential, and most enquiries get a reply within 24 hours.