CalculatorUpdated May 2026

Which crypto licences do you actually need?

Pick activities + target markets — get the licence stack with capital, setup time, and authority for each.

Regulated activities always require a licence. The question is which one and where — never whether. If a market here returns "no licence path," the answer is to pick a different market or restructure activities, not to operate unlicensed. Always pair licensing with a written legal opinion in every jurisdiction you serve customers from.

Most crypto founders over- or under-licence. This tool maps seven activities × nine target markets to the actual licence required, including capital floors, setup time, and the regulator name.

Activities

Target markets

Required licences

  • 🇪🇺 European Union

    MiCA CASP authorisation

    MiCA fully applicable since Dec 2024. CASP licence is passportable across the EU. Transitional regime ended in most member states by Dec 2025.

    AuthorityNational Competent Authority (BaFin / AFM / CySEC / etc.)
    Min capital€50,000
    Setup time12 months

  • 🇸🇬 Singapore

    MAS Payment Services Act licence (Class 2 or 3)

    Class 3 = full Major Payment Institution. MAS strict on AML and operational substance — minimum 1 director and 1 senior manager resident in Singapore.

    AuthorityMonetary Authority of Singapore
    Min capital€200,000
    Setup time12 months

Discuss these results with us.

We will look at your specific case, validate the numbers against our active banking partners, and give you a free, honest pre-approval read — usually within 24 hours.

We use your details only to follow up about this specific calculation. No newsletter, no list-sharing.

⚠ For informational purposes only. This is not legal, tax, or financial advice. Verify with a qualified advisor before acting on any output.

Ready to move from numbers to action?

Need a real assessment for your business?

The calculator gives indicative numbers. GetBanked does the actual assessment — which banks and licences will actually work for your vertical, jurisdiction, and volume.

Get free pre-approval Contact us

Methodology & sources

Mapping is heuristic — calibrated against MiCA RTS, FCA MLR 2017 cryptoasset register, FinCEN MSB rules, MAS PSA, VARA Rulebook, ADGM FSRA framework, SFC VATP guidelines, FINMA fintech licence, and CNAD El Salvador framework as of May 2026.

Capital figures are minimum statutory thresholds. Real bank-required capital is often 2-5× higher. Setup times exclude pre-application advisor work.

Not modelled: AML programme cost, ongoing reporting cost, third-line audit. Use this for licence-sequencing only.

Frequently asked questions

Do I really need a licence to run a crypto exchange in EU?
Yes. Since December 2024 MiCA fully applies. The transitional regime ended in most member states by December 2025. Operating without a CASP licence to EU residents post-MiCA is straightforward unauthorised business and triggers immediate banking termination.
Can I just rely on a Seychelles or BVI licence?
For non-regulated jurisdictions only. EU/US/UK residents are typically off-limits even if their local rules don't directly prohibit access — the bank will block flows. Useful as a starter or secondary licence, not a primary route.
Why is the US so expensive?
50-state mosaic. Each state has its own Money Transmitter Licence with bonded capital ($500k–$5M depending on state). FinCEN MSB is federal but doesn't replace state licences. NY BitLicense is reputationally premium but takes 24+ months.
Is MiCA a single passportable licence?
Yes. CASP authorisation by any National Competent Authority passports across all 27 EU member states. The catch: the issuing NCA must be confident in your AML and operational substance — most are slow and selective.

More calculators

iGaming Licence CostGGR → NGR BreakdownBankability ScoreTax ResidencyTime-to-Bank EstimatorEMI vs Bank CostChargeback ThresholdsForex Broker CapitalMDR CalculatorRolling Reserve CostMATCH / TMF CostMCC Risk TierSubstance RequirementsCFC ExposureCapital RequirementsAML Self-AssessmentPlayer Funds ReserveGGR → EBITDA

Disclaimer

This calculator is for informational purposes only. It does not constitute legal, tax, or financial advice. Licence fees, tax rates, and regulatory requirements change. You must consult a qualified advisor in each relevant jurisdiction before making any commercial or investment decision. GetBanked and BMC Strategic Inc accept no liability for decisions made on the basis of these calculations.