Nikolai Timofejev
15 years in FinTech and payments. Maps your business model to the right licence scope and leads the file all the way to the FSMA decision, including banking and payment rails.
Get a crypto license in Belgium.
Belgium licenses crypto under MiCA, with the FSMA as the single authority for standalone providers. It is a base in the EU's capital - a stone's throw from the institutions that write the rules - with a 25% corporate rate and a full EU passport. We build that file end to end.
27 yrs
on the international marketon the market
60+
in-house specialistsspecialists
400+
Crypto licenses obtainedlicenses obtained
Updated
Belgium in brief
Licensing crypto from the EU's capital.
Belgium transposed MiCA through the Law of 11 December 2025, which made the Financial Services and Markets Authority - the FSMA - the competent authority for standalone crypto-asset service providers, with the National Bank of Belgium covering banks, e-money and payment institutions. From 1 July 2026 a CASP must hold FSMA authorisation to serve clients; without it, providers must stop offering crypto services across the EU. The FSMA has been vocal about unauthorised operators, so the perimeter is enforced, not theoretical.
The distinctive thing about Belgium is where it sits. Brussels is the political capital of the European Union - home to the Commission and much of the regulatory machinery that produced MiCA in the first place. For a crypto business that wants to be close to the policy centre, plugged into EU institutions and industry bodies, a Belgian base has a logic no other member state matches. Add a 25% corporate rate, a multilingual and highly educated workforce, and one FSMA authorisation that passports into all 27 states, and it is a serious, well-connected home. We build the file end to end.
Belgium licenses crypto under MiCA via the Law of 11 December 2025, with the FSMA as authority for standalone providers. From 1 July 2026 CASP authorisation is the only route.
The edge is location: Brussels is the EU's political capital, next to the institutions that wrote MiCA. Corporate tax is 25%; the passport covers all 27 states.
Licence classes
One authorisation, scoped to your services.
MiCA defines ten crypto-asset services across three capital classes. The FSMA authorises the exact scope you apply for, and the scope drives capital, systems and the depth of the file. We fix the perimeter first, then build once.
Ten MiCA services in three capital classes - the FSMA authorises the exact scope you apply for.
01 - CASP · CLASS 1-2
Core crypto services
For brokers, exchangers and custodians - execution, exchange and safekeeping of client crypto-assets under one FSMA authorisation. Minimum capital €50,000-€125,000 depending on scope.
For brokers, exchangers and custodians - execution, exchange and safekeeping of client crypto-assets under one FSMA authorisation. Minimum capital €50,000-€125,000 depending on scope.
- ✓Exchange of crypto ↔ fiat and crypto ↔ crypto
- ✓Execution, reception and transmission of orders
- ✓Custody and administration of client crypto-assets
- ✓Transfer services for crypto-assets
- ✓Advice and portfolio management on crypto-assets
- ✓Placing of crypto-assets
02 - CASP · CLASS 3
In the EU's capitalTrading platform
The highest MiCA tier - operation of a crypto trading venue with €150,000 minimum capital, listing rules and market-abuse controls, passportable across the EU from the bloc's political centre.
The highest MiCA tier - a trading venue with €150,000 capital, passportable from the bloc's capital.
- ✓Operation of a crypto-asset trading platform
- ✓Matching of buyers and sellers in the venue
- ✓Admission-to-trading (listing) framework
- ✓Market-abuse monitoring under MiCA Title VI
- ✓Combines with custody and exchange services
- ✓One home regulator - the FSMA - for all 27 states
Costs and timelines are confirmed for your case before any work begins. The FSMA charges statutory fees by scope; the real investment is the file - capital, substance and documentation are scoped individually in your quote.
Why Belgium
Close to the rules, inside the market.
The framework rests on MiCA and the Law of 11 December 2025, supervised by the FSMA - from the political heart of the Union.
✓
The EU's political capital
Brussels hosts the Commission and much of the machinery that wrote MiCA. For a crypto business that wants proximity to policy, EU institutions and industry bodies, no other member state is as central.Brussels - next to the machinery that wrote MiCA.
✓
A clear single authority
The Law of 11 December 2025 made the FSMA the competent authority for standalone CASPs. One rulebook, one supervisor, an enforced perimeter - no grey zone about who is in charge.FSMA for standalone CASPs; enforced perimeter.
✓
A serious, vocal regulator
The FSMA actively warns against unauthorised operators and supervises firmly. That raises the bar - and makes a Belgian authorisation a credible stamp with banks and counterparties.Firm supervision - a credible stamp.
✓
A multilingual, skilled workforce
French, Dutch, English and German in daily use, with a highly educated talent pool. Building a compliance and operations team - and dealing across the bloc - happens without a language tax.FR/NL/EN/DE - no language tax.
✓
25% corporate tax
A straightforward 25% corporate rate on company profits - a clean figure to model, competitive for Western Europe, with an established treaty network behind it.Clean, competitive for Western Europe.
✓
One passport, central base
A single FSMA authorisation passports into all 27 EU states after notification. Starting from the bloc's capital is convenient in more than the symbolic sense.All 27 EU states by notification.
How it compares
How Belgium differs from other routes.
Belgium is the EU-capital base with a firm regulator. The honest comparison is positioning: proximity to the policy centre and a credible FSMA stamp.
Belgium vs other jurisdictions
| Feature |  Belgium | Other jurisdictions |
|---|---|---|
| Regulatory regime | MiCA CASP under the FSMA | National regimes or lighter desks |
| Location | The EU's political capital | Varies |
| Regulator posture | Firm, vocal on enforcement | Ranges widely |
| Corporate tax | 25% | Ranges widely |
Regulatory regime
BelgiumMiCA CASP under the FSMA
Other jurisdictionsNational regimes or lighter desks
Location
BelgiumThe EU's political capital
Other jurisdictionsVaries
Regulator posture
BelgiumFirm, vocal on enforcement
Other jurisdictionsRanges widely
Corporate tax
Belgium25%
Other jurisdictionsRanges widely
Country by country
| Country | License type | Taxation | Requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| Belgium | MiCA CASP (FSMA) | 25% corporate | Firm, EU-capital base |
 Netherlands | MiCA CASP (AFM/DNB) | 25.8% corporate | Thorough, established |
 France | MiCA CASP (AMF) | 25% · 30% flat private | Thorough; PSAN fast-track |
 Luxembourg | MiCA CASP (CSSF) | ~24.94% corporate | Institutional, fund-grade |
BelgiumLicense typeMiCA CASP (FSMA)
Taxation25% corporate
RequirementsFirm, EU-capital base
NetherlandsLicense typeMiCA CASP (AFM/DNB)
Taxation25.8% corporate
RequirementsThorough, established
FranceLicense typeMiCA CASP (AMF)
Taxation25% · 30% flat private
RequirementsThorough; PSAN fast-track
LuxembourgLicense typeMiCA CASP (CSSF)
Taxation~24.94% corporate
RequirementsInstitutional, fund-grade
Before you apply
Requirements for the FSMA authorisation.Requirements for FSMA authorisation.
The FSMA reviews a CASP file completely, to a real financial standard. The checklist below is what a file that passes actually contains - built to MiCA, the Law of 11 December 2025 and the ESMA technical standards.
01
Belgian entity - typically an SA/NV or SRL/BV with its registered office and effective management in Belgium.
02
Substance - decision-making, compliance and at least part of operations genuinely in the country; letterbox setups fail.
03
Fit & proper management - at least two competent directors with clean records and relevant experience.
04
Own funds - €50,000, €125,000 or €150,000 by service class, or a quarter of fixed overheads if higher.
05
Programme of operations - services, target markets, volumes and a three-year business plan the FSMA can interrogate.
06
AML/CFT framework - KYC, EDD, monitoring and reporting to the CTIF-CFI, with a named compliance officer.
07
ICT and DORA compliance - resilience testing, incident reporting, a register of ICT providers and exit plans.
08
Safeguarding of client assets - segregation of client crypto and funds, custody policy and key-management design.
09
Governance - ownership disclosed up to UBOs, qualifying holdings declared, conflicts and complaints procedures.
10
Wind-down plan - credible, funded and documented.
11
White papers and disclosures where you issue or admit crypto-assets to trading.
01
Belgian company with effective management here.
02
Real substance - compliance and decisions on the ground.
03
Two fit & proper directors.
04
Own funds €50k-€150k by class.
05
Programme of operations + 3-year plan.
06
AML/CFT with named officer, CTIF-CFI reporting.
07
ICT resilience under DORA.
08
Segregation and custody of client assets.
09
Ownership disclosed up to UBOs.
10
Credible, funded wind-down plan.
Reflects MiCA, the Law of 11 December 2025 and FSMA practice as of 2026. The transition closes on 1 July 2026 - operating without CASP authorisation after that is unlawful.MiCA + Law of 11 Dec 2025, FSMA practice as of 2026. Transition ends 1 July 2026.
How it works
From first call to the FSMA register.
01
Perimeter and strategy
We map your services to the MiCA classes and fix scope, capital and timeline in writing against the FSMA's requirements.MiCA classes, capital - in writing.
02
Belgian company and substance
Company formation, registered office, directors and the governance layer - the presence the FSMA assesses behind the file.Company, office, directors - the presence behind the file.
03
The application file
Programme of operations, AML/CFT framework, ICT and DORA documentation, safeguarding and wind-down - assembled to FSMA standards.Programme, AML, DORA, wind-down - FSMA-grade.
04
FSMA review
The statutory MiCA clock plus the FSMA's completeness bar - 6-10 months in practice. We answer every question round.25+40 wd statutory; 6-10 months in practice.
05
Authorisation and passport
Entry in the FSMA register, ESMA notification and passporting into all 27 EU states - plus ongoing reporting we can keep running.Register entry, then all 27 EU states.
Quick facts
RegulatorFSMA
FrameworkMiCA + Law of 11 Dec 2025
Capital€50k / €125k / €150k
Statutory clock25 + 40 working days
In practice6-10 months
Transition ends1 July 2026
Corporate tax25%
PassportAll 27 EU states
The statutory clock starts when the FSMA deems the file complete - completeness quality is where timelines are actually won.
On the ground in Belgium
Run from our Dubai office, with Belgian counsel.
Prifinance - Belgium desk
Brussels · Belgium
Brussels, Belgium
01
Belgian company formation
SA/NV or SRL/BV incorporation, registered office and the corporate layer the FSMA expects - notarised, registered and structured for the application.SA/NV or SRL/BV, structured for the file.
02
The authorisation file
Programme of operations, AML pack, ICT/DORA documentation and capital planning - drafted by us and defended through the FSMA's question rounds.Programme, AML, DORA - defended through review.
03
Directors and substance
Director search, compliance staffing and office arrangements - the substance Belgian law demands, assembled pragmatically.Director search, staffing, office.
04
EU-institution proximity
For firms that want to engage with EU bodies and industry associations, a Brussels base put to work - more than a registered address.A Brussels base put to work.
We also have offices in
Tallinn
Estonia
Roseni 13
Vilnius
Lithuania
Gedimino pr. 2
Prague
Czech Republic
Vlkova 532/8, Žižkov
London
United Kingdom
7 Bell Yard
Dubai
UAE
33 Level, Al Saqr Business Tower
Madeira
Portugal
Rua da Alegria 31, 1F
Istanbul
Turkey
Perpa Ticaret Merkezi, A Blok
Good to know
Taxation of crypto companies in Belgium.
No crypto-specific corporate levy - profits carry Belgium's 25% corporate rate. Private-investor treatment is nuanced and fact-specific, which is exactly why we model it up front.
25% corporate rate
Belgium's standard corporate income tax is 25% on company profits. Ordinary deductions apply, with a reduced rate for qualifying small companies on an initial tranche of profit.Standard rate; reduced tranche for small firms.
Private investors: it depends
Belgium has no general capital-gains tax, but crypto gains can be tax-free normal management, taxed as miscellaneous income at 33%, or professional income - the line is fact-specific. We assess it honestly at the owner level.0% normal management / 33% miscellaneous.
VAT-exempt exchange
Crypto-to-fiat exchange is VAT-exempt as a financial service under the Hedqvist line - the 21% standard rate touches only ordinary supplies.Hedqvist line; 21% on ordinary supplies.
A strong treaty network
Belgium's extensive double-tax-treaty network and holding-company tradition make it an efficient base for cross-border groups - dividend and gain flows modelled deliberately.Holding tradition; clean cross-border flows.
Rulings for certainty
Belgium's advance-ruling practice lets you obtain certainty on a specific position before you commit - useful where the private-investor line matters to a founder.Advance rulings on a specific position.
DAC8 reporting from 2026
EU-wide crypto reporting applies from January 2026 - CASPs report client transactions to tax authorities automatically. Compliance is built into your setup from day one.Automatic CASP reporting, EU-wide.
Tax summary
Corporate income tax25%
Private investorsFact-specific (0% / 33%)
VAT on crypto exchangeExempt
Standard VAT21%
Advance rulingsAvailable
DAC8 reportingfrom 2026
*Figures as of 2026. The private-investor line is fact-specific - we assess it and can seek a ruling before you commit.
Turnkey professional support
Experienced lawyers and international consultants.
We provide end-to-end support, from company registration and the application file to regulatory interaction and compliance oversight - with an individualized approach to each client.
Oleksii Kindratenko
Builds the application itself: Belgian company, AML/KYC policy pack, capital structure and tax registrations. His document sets are the reason reviews finish in months, not years.
Eugeniu Bevziuc
First point of contact for international founders. Runs the whole setup remotely, across time zones and languages - from the first call to a live, FSMA-authorised business.
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Belgium · FSMA
Launch your crypto project in Belgium with expert support.
Full-service assistance - from company registration to FSMA authorisation and ongoing compliance.
Get a consultation →Free legal opinion
Is Belgium the right fit for your project?
Our legal team will analyze your case at no cost and provide a written legal opinion: which jurisdiction, licence scope, or route fits your business.
Written assessment within 2-5 business days
Request a free conclusion →FAQ
The Belgian crypto licence, answered.
What licence does a crypto business need in Belgium?+
CASP authorisation from the FSMA under MiCA, as implemented by the Law of 11 December 2025 - required for exchange, brokerage, custody, transfer, advice and trading-platform services. From 1 July 2026 it is the only route.
Who regulates crypto - the FSMA or the National Bank?+
The FSMA authorises standalone crypto-asset service providers. The National Bank of Belgium covers banks, e-money and payment institutions. For a dedicated crypto business, the FSMA is your regulator.
How much capital is required?+
MiCA's three classes: €50,000 for advice and order services, €125,000 for exchange, execution and custody, €150,000 for a trading platform - or a quarter of annual fixed overheads if that is higher.
How long does FSMA authorisation take?+
The statutory MiCA clock is 25 working days to completeness plus 40 for assessment, but the FSMA's completeness bar is the real timeline. Well-prepared files land in 6-10 months.
What substance does the FSMA expect?+
A Belgian company with effective management in the country: at least two fit-and-proper directors, a compliance function on the ground, a real office and systems that demonstrably run. Letterbox structures are rejected.
Why Belgium rather than another member state?+
Location. Brussels is the EU's political capital, next to the institutions that write the rules and the industry bodies that shape them. For a business that values proximity to the policy centre, no member state matches it.
How are crypto companies and investors taxed?+
Companies pay the 25% corporate rate. Private-investor treatment is fact-specific - tax-free normal management, 33% miscellaneous income, or professional income - so we assess it honestly and can seek an advance ruling. Crypto-fiat exchange is VAT-exempt; DAC8 applies from 2026.
Does the Belgian licence passport across the EU?+
Yes - one FSMA authorisation covers all 27 EU member states through MiCA passporting after a notification, with no re-licensing, from the bloc's capital.
What licence is needed?+
FSMA CASP authorisation under MiCA - the route in.
FSMA or National Bank?+
FSMA for standalone CASPs; NBB for banks/e-money.
Capital?+
€50k / €125k / €150k by service class.
How long?+
6-10 months; completeness drives it.
Substance?+
Belgian company, two directors, real office.
Why Belgium?+
The EU's capital - next to the policy centre.
Taxes?+
25% corporate; private is fact-specific.
EU passport?+
Yes - all 27 states by notification.
Client notes
Google4.7★★★★★
Founders who wanted it done right.
Google4.7★★★★★
“As a software development crew at FewMoreTaps OÜ, we've had the pleasure of working with Prifinance on some key financial moves.First of all, navigating the world of corporate banking and finance can be a maze, but Prifinance made it feel like a walk in the park. They helped us set up a corporate bank account without the hassle of jumping on a plane or drowning in paperwork. Everything was done remotely, smoothly…”
Google
“I had their assistance in company registration and I would recommend them. They were answering all my clarification during the process and offering all their supportThank you Daniel and Irinia”
Google
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Google
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Google
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Get a free legal opinion on your project - our legal team will analyze your case at no cost and provide a written legal opinion: which jurisdiction, licence scope, or route fits your business.Free legal opinion: which Belgian route fits your project and what it will cost.
✓Written legal opinion within 2-5 business days - free of charge✓A clear recommendation on the right licence scope, not a sales pitch✓Transparent fixed fees, confirmed up front✓EN · RU · ES speaking team
Prifinance is an independent law and advisory firm. We are not a regulator and are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or acting on behalf of the FSMA or any other public authority. Authorisations are granted by, and obtained directly from, the competent authorities.