Equilex

MiCA CASP Authorisation - Malta

Your gateway to EU-wide crypto-asset services: a Malta-based MiCA authorisation lets you passport crypto-asset services to all 27 EU Member States without requiring a physical presence in each host state, leveraging Malta's experienced financial services ecosystem

From scratch

From EUR 30,000

Timeline

From 6 months

Quick facts

Regulator / authority

Malta Financial Services Authority (MFSA)

Coverage

  • Digital Asset Custody
  • Wallet Services
  • Trading Platform Operations
  • Crypto-to-Fiat Exchange
  • Crypto-to-Crypto Exchange

Best for

Companies pursuing EU market expansion in crypto-asset and payment services, anchored within a robust, crypto-friendly framework

Local presence

Required (Maltese legal entity) unless EU member state providing crypto-asset services in Malta

Substance level

Medium (Maltese physical address, physical executive director based in Malta, staff can be foreigners, MFSA has discretion)

Banking friendliness

High

Who this is for

Best fit

  • You want a single EU passport to serve clients across all 27 Member States from one Malta-issued licence
  • You operate a crypto exchange, OTC desk, or swap service and need an EU-recognised regulatory status accepted by banks and institutional counterparties
  • You provide custodial wallet or crypto asset holding services on behalf of retail or professional clients
  • You are a group seeking to establish a regulated EU operating entity in an English-language, crypto-experienced jurisdiction
  • You want to conduct crypto transfer and remittance services within a structured EU AML/CFT framework
  • You are building a multi-service crypto business and want exchange, custody, advice, and management covered under one authorisation
  • You need a proportionate but credible licence — Malta offers scalable substance requirements and a pragmatic regulator

What you can do (scope)

  • Crypto-to-fiat exchange
  • Crypto-to-crypto exchange
  • Operating a crypto trading platform or marketplace
  • Executing crypto orders on behalf of clients
  • Receiving and transmitting crypto orders on behalf of clients
  • Custodial wallet services
  • Placing and distributing crypto assets to the public
  • Crypto portfolio management
  • Crypto investment advice
  • Crypto transfer and remittance services

Requirements overview

Company & presence

Maltese legal entity with a registered office in Malta

Key persons / governance

At least 2 directors (at least 1 executive director resident in Malta), compliance officer, MLRO, risk management function

Capital / safeguarding / bonds

Class 1 services (advice, orders, transfers, placing): minimum EUR 50,000. Class 2 services (+ custody, exchange): minimum EUR 125,000. Class 3 services (+ trading platform): minimum EUR 150,000.

AML/CTF baseline expectations

Risk Assessment; full CDD at client onboarding; EDD for high-risk third-country connections; transaction monitoring; suspicious transaction reporting; record keeping; mandatory MLRO appointment (MFSA prior approval); staff training; internal controls

Reporting / audits

AML/CTF and sanctions evasion compliance under EU AML Directive; Risk-based supervision and oversight by the MFSA; Suspicious transaction reporting to the Financial Intelligence Analysis Unit; Mandatory Record Keeping: minimum 5 years (up to 7 if required by MFSA); Annual audited reporting package; Annual Compliance Report prepared by the Compliance Officer; Material event notifications to MFSA.

Process (end-to-end steps)

Step 1: Eligibility & scope mapping

Evaluating your intended operations and business plan to help with registration and apply for necessary activities; liaising with MFSA and accompanying you to preliminary meetings

Step 2: Entity setup / restructuring

If required, we will assist with the incorporation of a company in Malta. This can also be done after the licence has been attained; we will refer you to trusted service providers to fill any required roles (MLRO, compliance officer, etc.)

Step 3: Documentation pack

Collect and prepare the full document package, including the MFSA application form, programme of operations, business plan, corporate documents, AML/KYC policies, and technical documentation. Reviewing and/or drafting of required policies and procedures

Step 4: Licensing

Submission of the document package to the MFSA to initiate the procedure of authorising the CASP. Filing of personal questionnaires for key functionaries

Step 5: Follow-ups & queries

The MFSA conducts a detailed review of the initial submission and issues formal feedback. We coordinate the structured refinement of the application, addressing regulatory observations and supplementing any outstanding elements to ensure readiness for final determination

Step 6: Go-live readiness

Receival of MFSA Authorisation, onboarding with banks, and registration of company in Malta (if this has not already been done in Step 2)

What's included in our support

  • Assisting you in preparing your statement of intent
  • Liaising with the regulator on your behalf
  • Advising on and helping you prepare your CASP application
  • Preparation of corporate/regulatory documents/policies for legal entity (including AML document)
  • Registration of legal entity

FAQ

Yes. Full foreign ownership is allowed. There are no residency requirements for shareholders.

Almost immediately after notification. The CASP must submit to the MFSA a list of the host Member States, the services to be provided, the intended start date, and any other non-MiCA activities.

The most widely used structure is the Private Limited Liability Company (Ltd). It requires a minimum share capital of €1,165, at least 20% of which must be paid up on incorporation. It requires at least one director and one shareholder, and there is no requirement for either to be Maltese-resident (although local substance requirements apply to Licence Holders).

Incorporation through the Malta Business Registry (MBR) typically takes 2 to 5 working days once all required documentation is submitted and accepted.

Yes. To top-up services beyond initially authorised scope, the CASP must apply with the MFSA and the request is processed under the same MiCA and Maltese procedure.

Yes. A person aggrieved by an MFSA decision may appeal to the Financial Services Tribunal, and may also appeal the MFSA's failure to decide on a complete authorisation application within 6 months from submission of the complete application.

Yes. Qualifying shareholders, directors, and key function holders are all required to obtain the MFSA's approval prior to commencing their involvement with the Licence Holder.

Yes — subject to MFSA prior approval.

Ready to get started?

Discuss your license and timeline with our team. We'll get back to you within 24 hours.

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