Crypto license in Cyprus
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Get your Cyprus crypto license under CySEC regulation and operate across the EU with full MiCA compliance. The process includes registration, compliance checks, and a local office setup - ensuring legal certainty and strong business growth.
Our team helps you calculate costs, prepare documents, and complete each step to successfully register or buy a cryptocurrency license in Cyprus.
Crypto License in Cyprus – Requirements, Costs & Benefits
Get a competitive edge and build trust with a crypto license in Cyprus. Access the entire EU market and a solid regulatory framework for legitimacy and growth. Get a consultation to start your journey today.
Choose Cyprus for Your Crypto Business
Discover the Benefits of Operating in Cyprus: EU Passporting, Supportive Regulations, Favorable Taxation, and a Growing Crypto Ecosystem with Industry Leaders
Which activities require a license?
If your business provides any of the following services in or from Cyprus, you must be licensed.
Exchange between cryptocurrencies and fiat currencies
Custody or management of crypto assets (including wallets)
Crypto-to-crypto exchange
Operating crypto trading platforms
Issuance or sale of tokens and initial offerings
Portfolio management and investment advice on crypto
Types of crypto licenses in Cyprus
There are three main classes of CASP licenses, determined by the range of services you provide and the required capital.
Minimum Initial Capital
50 000 EURInvestment advice and basic brokerage
Minimum Initial Capital
125 000 EURClass 1 + exchange, order execution, and custody (excluding multilateral platforms)
Minimum Initial Capital
150 000 EURAll of the above + management of multilateral trading platforms
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Key requirements for registration
To apply for a crypto license in Cyprus, your company must meet several core conditions.
Company registration in Cyprus
Your business must be a Cypriot legal entity.
Directors and staff
Minimum of four directors (two must be Cyprus-based executives), all assessed by CySEC for experience and integrity.
Physical presence
Maintain a real office in Cyprus and employ local staff for essential functions.
KYC/AML policies
Documented procedures for “Know Your Customer,” anti-money laundering (AML), and counter-terrorism financing (CFT).
Operational readiness
Internal controls, clear management lines, IT security measures, and disaster recovery plans.
Minimum capital
Deposit the required initial capital into a Cypriot bank account.
Internal regulations
Policy documents to manage conflicts of interest and protect clients.
Good reputation
All company directors and key shareholders must have a clean criminal record and transparent source of funds.
Regular reporting
Ongoing obligations include, at a minimum, annual audits, periodic reports to CySEC, and compliance inspections.
The application process: Step by Step
Setting up a licensed crypto company in Cyprus typically follows these steps:
Reserve a company name
Submit your preferred company name to the Cyprus Registrar of Companies for approval.
Register the company
File incorporation documents, including the memorandum and articles of association, and appoint directors and a local office.
Open a corporate bank account
Deposit the required minimum capital.
Regulatory review
CySEC examines your company’s readiness, including compliance checks and interviews with directors. Expect follow-up requests for additional documents.
Submit application to CySEC
Pay the application fee (from €3,000, depending on class) and send the application package to CySEC.
Prepare license application
Gather the business plan, KYC/AML policies, director information, and all supporting documents.
Approval and registration
If successful, you receive your CASP license and are added to the public CySEC registry.
Post-licensing obligations
Register with the Cyprus Tax Department, keep your AML/KYC systems up to date, hire local staff, and submit ongoing compliance reports.
Get Expert Help with Your Cyprus Crypto License
Our legal team guides you through registration, CySEC compliance, and post-licensing obligations.
Guide to CySEC Licensing & Compliance for Crypto Companies
A comprehensive overview of the licensing process, ongoing regulatory duties, and favorable tax environment for crypto companies in Cyprus.
Main documents required
- Company incorporation certificates and articles of association
- Detailed business plan and risk assessment
- AML/CFT and KYC policy manuals
- Resumes and background checks of directors and shareholders
- Proof of office premises (lease agreement)
- Evidence of initial capital deposit
- Internal procedures (including conflicts of interest and data security)
- Application forms and declarations required by CySEC
Ongoing compliance and duties
Cyprus-licensed crypto companies must maintain:
- Up-to-date AML/KYC procedures
- Annual audits by certified external auditors
- Regular reporting to CySEC
- Accurate client records and transaction monitoring
- A compliance officer and a risk management function
- A physical office and staff presence in Cyprus
Failure to comply can lead to fines, suspension, or revocation of your license.
Taxation in Cyprus for crypto companies
Some tax features include:
- 12.5% corporate income tax, among the lowest in the EU
- No withholding tax on dividends to non-residents
- Profit from trading cryptocurrencies is generally taxable, but some crypto activities may qualify for VAT exemption
- Access to a broad network of double tax treaties
We strongly recommend obtaining professional tax advice tailored to your business model.
Frequently asked questions about the crypto license in Cyprus
Still have a questions?
What types of crypto licenses are available in Cyprus?
Cyprus crypto license is official permission for companies to offer cryptocurrency services in or from Cyprus. It is issued by the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC). Since 2021, any business dealing with crypto assets and serving Cyprus must register as a Crypto Asset Service Provider (CASP).
Who can own a Cyprus crypto company, and is a local presence required?
Foreign investors can own 100% of a Cyprus crypto company. However, you must have a real office and full-time staff in Cyprus. At least four directors are required, and two must be Cyprus residents.
What are the main steps to obtain a crypto license in Cyprus?
You need to reserve a company name, register the company, open a bank account, deposit the required capital, gather documents (such as business plan, AML policies, and director checks), and submit your application to CySEC. The process usually takes 6 to 12 months.
What ongoing obligations does a Cyprus CASP have?
You must keep a physical office and local staff, comply with strict anti-money laundering (AML) and counter-terrorist financing (CFT) rules, provide regular financial and audit reports, and renew the license annually. Technical and cybersecurity measures must also be maintained.
What is the cost of getting and maintaining a crypto license in Cyprus?
The main fees are a €10,000 non-refundable application fee and a €5,000 annual renewal fee (higher for large platforms). You also need to maintain the minimum capital in a Cyprus bank account and cover company setup, office, and staff expenses.
What activities are allowed under a Cyprus crypto license?
Licensed companies can offer crypto-to-fiat exchange, run trading platforms, give investment advice, provide wallet and custody services, manage crypto portfolios, and issue or sell tokens.
Are Cyprus crypto companies taxed, and are there any tax benefits?
The standard corporate tax rate in Cyprus is 12.5%, one of the lowest in the EU. Most crypto services are VAT exempt, and there is no withholding tax on dividends. Cyprus has a good network of double-tax treaties.
Can a Cyprus crypto license be used to operate in other EU countries?
Yes. A Cyprus crypto license allows you to offer services across all EU member states through “passporting.” This means you can legally market and provide crypto services throughout the European Economic Area.
What are the risks and penalties for non-compliance?
Operating without a license or breaching regulations can result in fines up to 5% of annual turnover or €5 million, criminal charges, and closure of your business. Ongoing compliance is strictly monitored by CySEC.
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