The Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (MiCA) introduces a unified regulatory framework for crypto-assets across the European Union (EU), promoting legal certainty, investor protection, and market stability. One of the core requirements under MiCA is obtaining a Crypto-Asset Service Provider (CASP) license, mandatory for businesses offering crypto asset services.
This licensing ensures compliance with strict standards on governance, security, and anti-money laundering (AML), enabling licensed CASPs to operate seamlessly across all EU member states. Whether you are an emerging startup or an established operator, obtaining a CASP license is essential to access the EU’s vast and dynamic market for digital assets.
In the Czech Republic, the Česká Národní Banka (ČNB) is the competent authority overseeing CASP licensing under MiCA. Businesses operating or planning to provide crypto-asset services in the Czech Republic must adhere to local implementation requirements alongside MiCA’s EU-wide provisions.
Our firm has a thorough knowledge of Czech law, ensuring that your compliance efforts are efficient and effective
We can help your business meet compliance requirements and unlock the potential of the EU crypto market!
In the Czech Republic, the ČNB is the competent authority overseeing CASP licensing under MiCA
Key Numbers about a CASP License in the Czech Republic
3 monthsaverage term of obtaining CASP license after application submission |
at least severaldirectors in a CASP |
up to €150kamount of the share capital depending from CASP activity |
up to 23%personal income tax (PIT) rate |
21%corporate income tax (CIT) rate |
nocapital gains tax (CGT) rate |
Legal Opinion about a CASP License in the Czech Republic
Ganna Voievodina
Manimama
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CEO
“Obtaining a CASP license in the Czech Republic is essential for businesses offering crypto-asset services. Applicants must meet requirements, including robust AML/CFT compliance, a formal governance structure, and sufficient operational capital. Once licensed, CASPs must adhere to ongoing reporting obligations and maintain compliance with Czech and EU regulations. Do not hesitate to contact Manimama Law Firm if you want to go through the process of getting the license quickly and easily”.
Types of Activities with a CASP License in the Czech Republic
Providing custody and administration of crypto-assets on behalf of clients
This service means safekeeping or controlling, on behalf of third parties, crypto-assets or the means of access to such crypto-assets, where applicable in the form of private cryptographic keys. Holdings of crypto-assets on behalf of the clients shall be segregated from CASP’s holdings.
Operation of a trading platform for crypto-assets
This service contains of the management of one or more multilateral systems, which brings together or facilitates the bringing together of multiple third-party buying and selling interests for crypto-assets – in the system and in accordance with its rules – in a way that results in a contract, either by exchanging one crypto-asset for another, or a crypto-asset for funds.
Exchange of crypto-assets for funds
This service means the conclusion of purchase or sale contracts concerning crypto-assets with clients for funds by using proprietary capital.
Exchange of crypto-assets for other crypto-assets
This service means the conclusion of purchase or sale contracts concerning crypto-assets with clients for other crypto-assets by using proprietary capital.
Execution of orders for crypto-assets on behalf of clients
This service means concluding agreements to buy or to sell one or more crypto-assets or to subscribe for one or more crypto-assets on behalf of third parties and includes the conclusion of agreements to sell crypto-assets at the moment of their issuance.
Placing of crypto-assets
This service includes the marketing, on behalf of or for the account of the offeror or of a party related to the offeror, of crypto-assets to purchasers. Before placing the crypto-assets a CASP shall obtain the agreement of the issuers or any third party acting on their behalf.
Reception and transmission of orders for crypto-assets on behalf of clients
This service means the reception from a person of an order to buy or to sell one or more crypto-assets or to subscribe for one or more crypto-assets and the transmission of that order to a third party for execution.
Providing advice on crypto-assets
This service means offering, giving or agreeing to give personalized recommendations to a third party, either at the third party’s request or on the initiative of the a CASP providing the advice, in respect of one or more transactions relating to crypto-assets, or the use of crypto-asset services.
Providing portfolio management on crypto-assets
Service includes managing portfolios in accordance with mandates given by clients on a discretionary client-by-client basis where such portfolios include one or more crypto-assets.
Providing transfer services for crypto-assets on behalf of clients
This service means transfer, on behalf of a natural or legal person, crypto-assets from one distributed ledger address or account to another. Such service may be provided without virtual currency wallet opened for a CASP’s client.
Benefits of Obtaining a CASP License in the Czech Republic
Regulatory legitimacy:
- The CASP license guarantees compliance with Czech law, providing legal certainty and protection for your business.
- The license status increases the credibility of your company among investors, clients, and financial partners.
Access to the European market:
- The Czech Republic is an EU member, and a CASP license facilitates cross-border operations within the EEA.
- Passporting rights allow licensed entities to expand their services to other EU countries without the need for additional licensing.
Business-friendly environment:
- The Czech Republic offers competitive corporate tax rates and favorable business policies, reducing operational costs.
- Its strategic location in Central Europe provides excellent connectivity and access to key European markets.
Enhanced credibility:
- Holding a CASP license demonstrates commitment to regulatory standards, improving your reputation among global customers and institutional clients.
- It positions your business as a reliable and compliant player in the rapidly growing crypto industry.
Technological and blockchain ecosystem:
- The country boasts a thriving blockchain community and tech-savvy talent pool, providing access to skilled developers and blockchain experts.
- Active participation in international blockchain events fosters networking and innovation.
Customer protection measures:
- Licensed CASPs must adhere to policies that safeguard customer funds and data.
- This helps prevent fraud and builds a long-term loyal client base.
Our Services
STEP 1
Incorporation stage
- Company formation in the Czech Republic
- Provision of a registered address for 1 year
- Opening corporate bank account and transferring the share capital
- Appointment and employment of a local director
- Detailed company structure documentation
STEP 2
Pre-licensing stage
- Preparation and submission legal and financial documents (non-exhaustive list) according to MiCA
- Review of existing policies and procedures, if the company already has them
STEP 3
Licensing stage
- CASP license application assistance
- Conducting communication with the FMA during the license process
Our Experts in this Area
Step by Step Description
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Initial setup
- Initiating a preliminary project assessment
- Creating an action plan
- Preparation and filing of the package of documents
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Company registration
- Provide options for the company name
- Prepare and notarize founding documents
- Register a company with the Commercial Register: it is necessary to fill in a special form with the Register Court or it is also possible to register with the Commercial Register through the public notary
- Open a corporate bank account
- Registration for tax purposes
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Obtaining a CASP license
- Preparation of documents according to MICA
- Submission an application to the licensing authority - CNB
- Reviewing the application to ensure it is complete (if any documents or information are missing, the applicant will be notified and given a specific deadline to provide the necessary additional documentation)
- Assessment of the documents` content submitted (a detailed review to verify that all regulatory requirements are met)
- Requesting of additional details (if applicable)
- Notification of grant or refusal of the CASP license
- Granting or refusal notification to European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA)
- Publication in ESMA register
Czech National Legislation
In the Czech Republic, the transition period means that applicants may continue to provide cryptocurrency-related services, if they apply for a CASP license by July 31, 2025 and this authorization remains valid until the licensing decision is made or until July 1, 2026
Regulation:
The main act is Zákon o digitalizaci finančního trhu (Act on the digitalisation of the financial market).
The purpose of the law is to introduce rules to govern the crypto-asset market and provide better protection for consumers. It primarily deals with the competence of the CNB and some of its powers and sets out penalties for breaches of MiCA or this Act.
Licensing authority:
The Czech National Bank (CNB) is the competent authority under the directly applicable EU regulation governing the digital operational resilience of the financial sector and the directly applicable EU regulation governing cryptoasset markets (MiCA).
Procedure, timelines, fees:
Following the full application of MiCA, i.e. after 30 December 2024, the CNB must assess within 25 working days of receiving an application for authorisation whether all of the required information has been included in the application. At this stage, however, the CNB will not assess the quality of the information provided. The CNB may ask the applicant to supplement the application if some or all of the required information is missing. The CNB will set a deadline for the submission of any missing information. After the submission of missing information, the CNB will have 40 working days to make a qualitative assessment of the application. During this period, the CNB has the opportunity to submit additional requests for clarification, but only the first of these requests will suspend the 40 working day assessment period, for a maximum of 20 working days.
The CNB keeps in electronic form a list of:
- CASP to which it has granted a licence to operate;
- CASPs that have notified the CNB of their intention to provide crypto-asset services and have fulfilled the conditions pursuant to Article 60 of MiCA; and
- CASPs that are authorised to provide crypto-asset services in the Czech Republic.
The CNB publishes the lists on its website.
Transition period:
Anyone who, prior to December 30, 2024 was authorised to provide cryptocurrency-related services on the basis of a trade licence (so-called cryptolicense in the Czech Republic) and who has applied for a CASP licence by July 31, 2025 may continue to carry out that activity on the basis of that authorisation until the date of entry into force of the decision on the application for authorisation as a CASP, but no later than 1 July 2026.
Requirements for Obtaining a CASP License in the Czech Republic
Capital requirements for a CASP vary depending on what services the company will provide - from €50,000 to €150,000
Physical office requirements
A CASP shall have a registered office in the Czech Republic where it carries out at least part of their crypto-asset services.
Requirements for key persons
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Senior managers (directors):
- Number: MICA does not specify a minimum and maximum number of directors. However, MICA states (part 2, article 59) that there shall be at least several directors.
- Residency requirements: At least one director must be an EU resident.
- General requirements: Directories must have a solid reputation, necessary skills, and relevant experience.
- Required documents:
- a clean criminal record
- a detailed CV
- statements on time commitment and past professional conduct
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Shareholders:
- Number: MICA does not specify a minimum and maximum number of shareholders.
- Residency requirements: There is no restriction.
- General requirements: Shareholders must have a solid reputation, necessary skills, and relevant experience.
- Required documents:
- a clean criminal record
- an ownership structure chart
Capital requirements
Capital requirements vary depending on what services the company will provide:
Class 1: A CASP authorized for the following crypto-asset services:
- execution of orders on behalf of clients
- placing of crypto-assets
- providing transfer services for crypto-assets on behalf of clients
- reception and transmission of orders for crypto-assets on behalf of clients
- providing advice on crypto-assets and/or
- providing portfolio management on crypto-assets
Minimum capital requirements - €50,000.
Class 2: A CASP authorized for any crypto-asset services under Class 1 and:
- providing custody and administration of crypto-assets on behalf of clients
- exchange of crypto-assets for funds and/or
- exchange of crypto-assets for other crypto-assets
Minimum capital requirements - €125,000.
Class 3: A CASP authorized for any crypto-asset services under Class 2 and:
- operation of a trading platform for crypto-assets
Minimum capital requirements - €150,000.
Documentation requirements
There are list of documents that must be submitted with the application:
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Documents required for all CASPs:
- The articles of association of the applicant CASP
- Identity and proof of good repute, knowledge, skills, experience and of sufficient time commitment of the members of the management body
- Information relating to shareholders or members with qualifying holdings
- A program of operations setting out the types of crypto-asset services that the applicant CASP wishes to provide, including where and how these services are to be marketed
- A description of the applicant CASP’s prudential safeguards (insurance policy)
- A description of the applicant CASP’s governance arrangements and internal control mechanisms
- A description of the applicant CASP’s business continuity plan
- Detection and prevention of money laundering and terrorist financing (full packet of policies)
- Descriptions both in technical and non-technical language of applicant CASP’s IT systems and security arrangements
- A description of the applicant CASP’s procedures to handle complaints from clients
- Documents required in case CASP wishes to offer services in other countries:
- List of EU countries where the company wishes to offer its services
- Documents required for certain services (each of the 10 services requires its own documents):
- Custody and administration policy
- A description of the procedure for the segregation of client’s crypto-assets and fund
- The operating rules of the trading platform and market abuse detection
- Information on the exchange of crypto-assets for funds or other crypto-assets (commercial policy)
- The execution policy
- Information on the provision of advice or portfolio management on crypto-assets
- Information on transfer services
Taxes in the Czech Republic
The standard CIT rate is 21% and applies to all business profits
Corporate Income Tax (CIT)
The standard tax rate is 21% and applies to all business profits.
A special CIT rate of 15% is levied on dividend income of Czech tax resident companies received from non-resident companies (except in cases of exemption from participation).
Note that there are no regional or local income taxes in the Czech Republic.
Capital Gains Tax (CGT)
Capital gains are generally taxed at a 27.5% rate, aligning with the taxation of income from capital investments.
Under the new tax crypto reform, all gains from the sale or realization of cryptocurrency are taxed as capital gains (so at a 27.5% rate), regardless of how the asset is held prior to sale. However, the exchange of one cryptocurrency for another is considered an intermediate transaction and is not taxable, so taxation only comes into effect when the crypto asset is converted into euros or another fiat currency.
With respect to cryptocurrency income earned beginning in calendar year 2025, persons required to withhold capital gains tax must now prepare a tax report (Steuerreporting) upon request by the taxpayer.
Personal Income Tax (PIT)
All natural persons who are domiciled in Austria or for whom Austria is a regular place of residence are taxed with unlimited income tax (“unlimited" meaning that basically all their Austrian and foreign income is subject to income tax). Furthermore, even persons who are not domiciled in Austria can be taxed on certain income generated in Austria.
Austria employs a progressive tax system for individuals, with rates ranging:
- €13,309–21,617 - 20%
- €21,618–35,836 - 30%
- €35,837–69,166 - 40%
- €69,167–103,072 - 48%
- €103,073–1,000,000 - 50%
- €1,000,001 and above - 55%
As of 2025, the PIT exemption threshold has been increased to EUR 13,308.
Frequently Asked Questions
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What is a CASP license in the Czech Republic?The CASP license allows companies to legally offer crypto asset services in the Czech Republic.
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Who issues the CASP license in the Czech Republic?The CNB is a responsible authority for granting CASP licenses.
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Why is a CASP license required in the Czech Republic?A CASP license ensures compliance with Czech and EU regulations. It aims to protect consumers, combat financial crimes like money laundering, and promote transparency in the crypto industry.
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What services can be provided under a CASP license?
It allows services such as:
- 1) Providing custody and administration of crypto-assets on behalf of clients
- 2) Operation of a trading platform for crypto-assets
- 3) Exchange of crypto-assets for funds
- 4) Exchange of crypto-assets for other crypto-assets
- 5) Execution of orders for crypto-assets on behalf of clients
- 6) Placing of crypto-assets
- 7) Reception and transmission of orders for crypto-assets on behalf of clients
- 8) Providing advice on crypto-assets
- 9) Providing portfolio management on crypto-assets
- 10) Providing transfer services for crypto-assets on behalf of clients
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What are the key requirements to obtain a CASP license in the Czech Republic?Companies must meet physical office requirements, requirements for managers and shareholders, minimum capital requirements, documentation requirements.
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Is it mandatory to have a physical office in the Czech Republic to obtain a CASP license?Yes, a local office in the Czech Republic is required for regulatory oversight.
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Is there a minimum capital requirement for obtaining a CASP license?Yes, applicants must meet specific financial and operational adequacy standards, but the exact minimum capital depends on the services offered (€50,000, €125,000, €150,000).
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What is the process for applying for a CASP license?The process involves submitting an application to CNB with detailed documentation on the company structure, management, AML policies, and financial plans, etc.
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How long does it take to obtain a CASP license?The preparation of documents and the review process typically takes several months, depending on the completeness of the application and the authority's workload.
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Is the CASP license recognized in other countries?Yes, the Czech CASP license is recognized across the European Union (EU) under the principle of passporting, enabling licensed entities to offer their services in other EU member states without additional licensing.
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What is the cost of obtaining a CASP license in the Czech Republic?Costs include registration fees and ongoing compliance expenses. Specific figures depend on the size and scope of the business.
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