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 CBI decision, including banking and payment rails.
Get a crypto license in Ireland.
The EU's English-speaking, common-law, 12.5%-tax home base - where global tech and fintech already run their European headquarters. The Central Bank of Ireland authorises CASPs under MiCA; we run the file from first engagement to the register.
27 yrs
on the international marketon the market
60+
in-house specialistsspecialists
400+
Crypto licenses obtainedlicenses obtained
Updated
Ireland in brief
Where global groups already run Europe from.
Ireland is the EU's natural headquarters jurisdiction: the only English-speaking, common-law member state in the euro area, a 12.5% corporation tax on trading profits, and a talent pool built by two decades of global tech and financial firms running their European operations from Dublin. Under MiCA, the Central Bank of Ireland is the competent authority for CASP authorisation, and it brings the supervisory culture of a regulator that already oversees one of Europe's largest funds and e-money sectors. Ireland's shortened transitional window closed at the end of 2025; today only authorised CASPs serve the market.
The CBI process is engagement-led: it starts with a pre-application phase and a Key Facts Document before the formal file, and rewards applicants who arrive with substance, governance and a realistic plan. That is exactly the file we build. For stablecoin projects there is a second Irish angle - the CBI is one of Europe's leading e-money supervisors, making Dublin a natural home for EMT issuance under MiCA's e-money track.
The EU's English-speaking, common-law, 12.5%-tax base - where global groups already run Europe. The CBI authorises CASPs under MiCA; the transition closed end-2025.
Engagement-led process: Key Facts Document, then the file, then F&P interviews. Preparation decides the timeline - that is our job.
Licence classes
One authorisation, scoped to your services.
MiCA defines ten crypto-asset services in three capital classes. The CBI authorises the scope you apply for, and expects the governance to match it. We fix the perimeter first, then build once.
Ten MiCA services in three capital classes. The CBI authorises the 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 CBI 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 CBI 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
English-speaking EU baseTrading 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 Dublin.
The highest MiCA tier. A trading venue with €150,000 capital, passportable from Dublin.
- ✓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 CBI - for all 27 states
Costs and timelines are confirmed for your case before any work begins. The CBI levies supervisory fees by category; the real investment is substance and the file. Both scoped individually in your quote. EMT / stablecoin issuance via the e-money track is quoted separately.
Why Ireland
The headquarters argument.
The framework is MiCA, supervised by the Central Bank of Ireland. Inside the jurisdiction global groups already trust with their European headquarters.
✓
The EU's English-speaking base
The only English-speaking, common-law jurisdiction in the euro area. Contracts, courts and compliance in the language your board, investors and lawyers already work in.The only one in the euro area. Common law included.
✓
12.5% corporation tax
Among the lowest headline rates in the EU on trading profits, backed by 75+ treaties and decades of case law on what qualifies. A rate global groups have structured around for a generation.The rate global groups structured around.
✓
A supervisor with real depth
The CBI oversees one of Europe's largest funds, payments and e-money sectors. Its CASP authorisation carries genuine weight with banks and institutional partners. This is not a light-touch desk.Funds, payments, e-money. The CBI stamp carries.
✓
The tech-HQ cluster
Global tech and fintech run European operations from Dublin. The talent, advisors, auditors and banking relationships a licensed CASP needs are already on the ground.Talent, advisors and banks already on the ground.
✓
The stablecoin angle
EMT issuance under MiCA runs through the e-money framework, and the CBI is one of Europe's leading EMI supervisors. Dublin is a natural home for stablecoin issuers.EMT via e-money. The CBI leads in EMI supervision.
✓
A clean, closed transition
Ireland's shortened transitional window closed at the end of 2025. The market is fully licensed, the register is short, and being on it means something.Fully licensed market since end-2025.
How it compares
How Ireland differs from other routes.
Ireland is not the cheapest or fastest MiCA desk. It is the one built for headquarters. The real comparison is what you are optimising for: speed of entry, or the base you scale from.
Ireland vs other jurisdictions
| Feature |  Ireland | Other jurisdictions |
|---|---|---|
| Regulatory regime | MiCA CASP - CBI | National regimes or lighter desks |
| Language & law | English · common law | Civil law, local language |
| Corporate tax | 12.5% on trading profits | 19-30% typical |
| Licensing speed | 6-12 months, engagement-led | 4-6 months at fast desks |
Regulatory regime
IrelandMiCA CASP - CBI
Other jurisdictionsNational regimes or lighter desks
Language & law
IrelandEnglish · common law
Other jurisdictionsCivil law, local language
Corporate tax
Ireland12.5% on trading profits
Other jurisdictions19-30% typical
Licensing speed
Ireland6-12 months, engagement-led
Other jurisdictions4-6 months at fast desks
Country by country
| Country | License type | Taxation | Requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ireland | MiCA CASP (CBI) | 12.5% CIT on trading | Thorough, engagement-led |
 Germany | MiCA CASP (BaFin) | ~30% effective | Document-heavy, benchmark stamp |
 Lithuania | MiCA CASP (Bank of Lithuania) | 17% CIT (2026) | Fast, but strict AML practice |
 Malta | MiCA CASP (MFSA) | ~5-10% effective after refunds | Experienced, slower queue |
IrelandLicense typeMiCA CASP (CBI)
Taxation12.5% CIT on trading
RequirementsThorough, engagement-led
GermanyLicense typeMiCA CASP (BaFin)
Taxation~30% effective
RequirementsDocument-heavy, benchmark stamp
LithuaniaLicense typeMiCA CASP (Bank of Lithuania)
Taxation17% CIT (2026)
RequirementsFast, but strict AML practice
MaltaLicense typeMiCA CASP (MFSA)
Taxation~5-10% effective after refunds
RequirementsExperienced, slower queue
Before you apply
Requirements for the CBI authorisation.Requirements for CBI authorisation.
The CBI process rewards preparation: a pre-application engagement and Key Facts Document come before the formal file, and the fitness-and-probity regime runs through everything. This is what a passing file contains.
01
Irish entity. A limited company (LTD or DAC) with its registered office and real operations in Ireland.
02
Substance. Decision-making genuinely in Ireland: local directors, compliance and risk functions on the ground.
03
Fitness & probity. Pre-approval controlled function (PCF) holders vetted and interviewed under the CBI's F&P regime.
04
Own funds - €50,000, €125,000 or €150,000 by service class, or one quarter of fixed overheads if higher.
05
Key Facts Document. The pre-application summary the CBI reviews before inviting the formal file.
06
Programme of operations. Services, markets, volumes and a business plan the CBI can interrogate.
07
AML/CFT framework. CJA 2010-grade KYC, EDD, monitoring and reporting to FIU Ireland, with a named MLRO.
08
ICT and DORA compliance. Resilience testing, incident reporting and ICT third-party register.
09
Safeguarding of client assets. Segregation of client crypto and funds, custody policy, key management.
10
Governance. Ownership to UBOs, board composition, outsourcing within CBI limits, conflicts handling.
11
Wind-down plan. Credible, funded and documented.
01
Irish LTD/DAC with real operations in Ireland.
02
Local decision-making, compliance and risk.
03
PCF holders vetted under fitness & probity.
04
Own funds €50k-€150k by class.
05
Key Facts Document before the formal file.
06
CJA 2010-grade AML with named MLRO.
07
ICT resilience under DORA.
08
Segregation and custody of client assets.
09
Governance and outsourcing within limits.
10
Credible, funded wind-down plan.
Reflects MiCA and Central Bank of Ireland practice as of 2026. Ireland's transitional window closed at the end of 2025. Operating without authorisation is an offence.MiCA + CBI practice as of 2026. Transition closed end-2025.
How it works
From first call to the CBI register.
01
Perimeter and strategy
We map your services to the MiCA classes, fix scope and capital, and prepare the pre-application position - in writing.Classes, capital, pre-application - in writing.
02
Irish company and substance
LTD/DAC formation, registered office, PCF candidates and governance. The presence the CBI engages with.LTD/DAC, office, PCF candidates.
03
KFD and the file
Key Facts Document first, then the full application: programme, AML/CFT, DORA, safeguarding and wind-down.Key Facts first, then the full application.
04
CBI assessment
Engagement rounds, F&P interviews and clarifications - 6-12 months in practice. We prepare every answer and every person.Engagement and F&P interviews - 6-12 months.
05
Authorisation and passport
Entry in the CBI register, ESMA notification and passporting into all 27 EU states. With ongoing reporting we can run.Register entry, then all 27 EU states.
Quick facts
RegulatorCentral Bank of Ireland
FrameworkMiCA CASP
Capital€50k / €125k / €150k
Pre-applicationKey Facts Document
In practice6-12 months
People vettingFitness & probity (PCF)
LanguageEnglish
PassportAll 27 EU states
The CBI's engagement-led model means preparation before filing is where the timeline is actually decided.
On the ground in Ireland
Run from our Dublin office.
Prifinance - Ireland
Dublin · Ireland
Dublin, Ireland
01
Irish company formation
LTD or DAC incorporation, registered office and the corporate layer the CBI expects. Structured for the authorisation from day one.LTD/DAC, structured for the authorisation.
02
The authorisation file
Key Facts Document, programme of operations, AML pack and DORA documentation. Drafted by us and defended through the CBI's engagement rounds.KFD, programme, AML, DORA. Defended in rounds.
03
PCF-ready people
Director and MLRO search, fitness-and-probity preparation and interview coaching. The people layer the CBI actually assesses.Directors and MLRO, coached for F&P.
04
Dublin ecosystem
Auditors, administrators, banking introductions and payroll. Assembled from the ecosystem global groups already use.Auditors, banks, payroll - assembled.
We also have offices in
Tallinn
Estonia
Roseni 13
Vilnius
Lithuania
Gedimino pr. 2
Prague
Czech Republic
Vlkova 532/8, Žižkov
Dubai
UAE
33 Level, Al Saqr Business Tower
Madeira
Portugal
Rua da Alegria 31, 1F
Budapest
Hungary
Korányi Sándor u. 4
Istanbul
Turkey
Perpa Ticaret Merkezi, A Blok
Good to know
Taxation of crypto companies in Ireland.
No crypto-specific levies. Trading profits carry the 12.5% rate that built Ireland's headquarters economy, with a treaty network and case law to match.
Corporation tax 12.5%
The trading rate global groups structured around for a generation. Passive income is taxed at 25%; large groups above €750M global revenue fall under the 15% Pillar Two rate.Trading rate; 25% passive; 15% Pillar Two.
Individuals: CGT 33%
Personal crypto gains fall under capital gains tax at 33% with a €1,270 annual exemption. Foreign-domiciled residents may access the remittance basis. Planning changes outcomes.€1,270 exempt; remittance basis for non-doms.
VAT-exempt exchange
Crypto ↔ fiat exchange is VAT-exempt as a financial service under the Hedqvist line. The 23% standard rate touches only ordinary supplies.Hedqvist line; 23% only on ordinary supplies.
R&D tax credit 30%
Qualifying development. Matching engines, custody tech, compliance tooling. Earns a 30% refundable credit on top of the deduction. Crypto builders actually use it.Refundable. Crypto builders actually use it.
75+ tax treaties
A deep network built for a headquarters economy keeps cross-border flows predictable, and Irish substance makes access real.A headquarters-grade network.
DAC8 reporting from 2026
EU-wide crypto reporting applies from January 2026. CASPs report client transactions automatically. Compliance is built into your setup from day one.Automatic CASP reporting, EU-wide.
Tax summary
Corporation tax (trading)12.5%
Passive income25%
Large groups (Pillar Two)15%
Personal CGT33% · €1,270 exempt
VAT on crypto exchangeExempt
R&D credit30%
Tax treaties75+
*Figures as of 2026. Trading-versus-passive characterisation drives the corporate rate. We model your flows 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: Irish limited 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, CBI-authorised business.
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Ireland · Central Bank
Launch your crypto project in Ireland with expert support.
Full-service assistance - from company registration to CBI authorisation and ongoing compliance.
Get a consultation →Free legal opinion
Is Ireland 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 Irish crypto licence - what clients ask.
What licence does a crypto business need in Ireland?+
CASP authorisation from the Central Bank of Ireland under MiCA - required for exchange, brokerage, custody, transfer, advice and trading-platform services aimed at the Irish market. The old VASP registration regime is closed.
What happened to Irish VASP registrations?+
Ireland took a shortened transitional period that closed at the end of 2025. VASP-registered firms had to obtain CASP authorisation to continue; today only authorised CASPs - plus EU firms passporting in - lawfully serve the market.
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 does the CBI process actually work?+
Engagement-led: a pre-application phase with a Key Facts Document, then the formal file, then assessment with fitness-and-probity interviews. Realistic timelines run 6-12 months, decided largely by how prepared you arrive.
What substance does the CBI expect?+
An Irish company with decision-making genuinely in Ireland: local directors and PCF holders who pass fitness-and-probity vetting, a compliance function on the ground, and outsourcing kept within supervised limits.
Can I issue a stablecoin from Ireland?+
Yes - e-money tokens under MiCA run through the e-money framework, and the CBI is one of Europe's leading EMI supervisors. Dublin is a natural EMT base; we scope the e-money track alongside the CASP file.
How are crypto companies taxed?+
Corporation tax at 12.5% on trading profits - 25% on passive income, 15% for groups above €750M under Pillar Two. Crypto-fiat exchange is VAT-exempt, and the 30% R&D credit applies to qualifying development.
And founders personally?+
CGT at 33% on personal crypto gains with a €1,270 annual exemption. Foreign-domiciled residents may access the remittance basis for non-Irish gains - residence planning genuinely changes outcomes here.
Does the Irish licence passport across the EU?+
Yes - one CBI authorisation covers all 27 EU member states through MiCA passporting after notification. Combined with the 12.5% rate and English-language operations, that is the headquarters case.
Why Ireland rather than a faster MiCA desk?+
If you need the fastest possible authorisation, Lithuania or the Czech Republic wins. If you are building a European headquarters - English-speaking team, US investors, banking depth, 12.5% on trading profits - Ireland is the base the others feed into.
What licence is needed?+
CBI CASP authorisation under MiCA - the only route.
Old VASP registrations?+
Transition closed end-2025; authorisation required.
Capital?+
€50k / €125k / €150k by service class.
How long?+
6-12 months; preparation decides it.
Substance?+
Irish directors, PCF vetting, local compliance.
Stablecoins?+
EMT via the e-money track - a CBI strength.
Company taxes?+
12.5% trading; VAT-exempt exchange; 30% R&D credit.
Founder taxes?+
CGT 33%; remittance basis for foreign-domiciled.
EU passport?+
Yes - all 27 states by notification.
Why Ireland?+
The headquarters base - English, common law, 12.5%.
Client notes
Google4.7★★★★★
Founders who wanted it done right.
Google4.7★★★★★
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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 Irish 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 Central Bank of Ireland or any other public authority. Authorisations are granted by, and obtained directly from, the competent authorities.