As of December 30, 2024, new EU regulations governing Crypto-Asset Service Providers (CASP) came into effect. In Latvia, licensing of such companies is handled by Latvijas Banka according to Regulation (EU) 2023/1114 on Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA).
According to Latvijas Banka, the EU virtual asset market is projected to grow by over 25% in 2025, making licensing essential for legal operations and building client trust.
Key Requirements for a CASP License
- Legal Entity: Must be registered in Latvia or another EU member state.
- Minimum Capital: €50,000–€150,000 depending on services provided.
- Qualified Management: Management must have financial or IT experience and a clean record.
- AML/KYC Procedures: Implement anti-money laundering and customer identification policies.
- Business Plan & Technical Documentation: Description of services, platform structure, and transaction organization.
- Shareholder & Management Documents: Proof of experience and source of funds.