# Execution of orders for crypto-assets on behalf of clients

Source page: https://protegra.io/licensing/activities/crypto-order-execution/

Concluding agreements to buy or sell crypto-assets on behalf of clients requires a crypto-asset service provider (CASP) authorisation in the EU under MiCA Article 3(1)(16)(e) and 3(1)(21). Authorised firms can passport services throughout the EEA. Non-EU jurisdictions regulate client order execution under virtual asset service provider (VASP) regimes or national broker-dealer and securities laws.

## Definition

Concluding agreements to buy or sell crypto-assets on behalf of clients, including subscribing to offers.

- MiCA, Art. 3(1)(16)(e) and 3(1)(21): [official text](https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2023/1114/oj)

## Which licence you need

Licence families that typically permit this activity:

- [Crypto-asset service provider (MiCA CASP)](https://protegra.io/licensing/licences/casp-mica/)
- [Virtual asset service provider (non-MiCA)](https://protegra.io/licensing/licences/vasp/)

- [CASP · CyprusNotification by financial entities providing crypto-asset services under MiCAR Article 60CySEC](https://protegra.io/licensing/licences/casp-mica/cyprus-art60/)
- [CASP · CyprusCrypto-Asset Service Provider (CASP) authorisation under MiCAR Article 63CySEC](https://protegra.io/licensing/licences/casp-mica/cyprus/)
- [CASP · Czech RepublicCrypto-Asset Service Provider authorisation under MiCA and Act No. 31/2025 Coll. (povolení k činnosti poskytovatele služeb souvisejících s kryptoaktivy)CNB](https://protegra.io/licensing/licences/casp-mica/czech-republic/)
- [VASP · Dubai (VARA)Virtual Asset Broker-Dealer Services LicenceVARA](https://protegra.io/licensing/licences/vasp/dubai-broker-dealer/)
- [CASP · EstoniaAuthorisation to operate as a crypto-asset service provider under MiCAFI](https://protegra.io/licensing/licences/casp-mica/estonia/)
- [CASP · FrancePrestataire de services sur crypto-actifs (PSCA) / Crypto-asset service provider authorization under EU MiCA RegulationAMF](https://protegra.io/licensing/licences/casp-mica/france/)
- [CASP · GermanyCrypto-asset service provider licence (Zulassung als Anbieter von Kryptowerte-Dienstleistungen nach Art. 59 MiCAR / KMAG)BaFin](https://protegra.io/licensing/licences/casp-mica/germany/)
- [CASP · IrelandCrypto-Asset Service Provider AuthorisationCBI](https://protegra.io/licensing/licences/casp-mica/ireland/)
- [CASP · ItalyFornitore di servizi per le cripto-attività / Crypto-asset service provider (CASP) authorizationCONSOB](https://protegra.io/licensing/licences/casp-mica/italy/)
- [CASP · LatviaCrypto-asset service provider licence under MiCALB](https://protegra.io/licensing/licences/casp-mica/latvia/)
- [CASP · LithuaniaCrypto-asset service provider licenceLB](https://protegra.io/licensing/licences/casp-mica/lithuania/)
- [CASP · LuxembourgCrypto-asset service provider authorisation under MiCA RegulationCSSF](https://protegra.io/licensing/licences/casp-mica/luxembourg/)
- [CASP · MaltaCrypto-Asset Service Provider authorisation under Regulation (EU) 2023/1114MFSA](https://protegra.io/licensing/licences/casp-mica/malta/)
- [CASP · NetherlandsCrypto-Asset Service Provider (CASP) authorisation under Regulation (EU) 2023/1114 (MiCA)AFM](https://protegra.io/licensing/licences/casp-mica/netherlands/)
- [CASP · PolandCrypto-Asset Service Provider authorization under MiCA (zezwolenie na świadczenie usług w zakresie kryptoaktywów)KNF](https://protegra.io/licensing/licences/casp-mica/poland/)
- [CASP · SlovakiaCrypto-asset service provider licence under MiCA (povolenie na činnosť poskytovateľa služieb kryptoaktív)NBS](https://protegra.io/licensing/licences/casp-mica/slovakia/)
- [CASP · SpainProveedor de servicios de criptoactivos (PSC) / Crypto-asset service provider authorizationCNMV](https://protegra.io/licensing/licences/casp-mica/spain/)

## Where it can be licensed

| | EU/EEA passport | Domestic |
| --- | --- | --- |
| [Cyprus: Notification by financial entities providing crypto-asset services under MiCAR Article 60](https://protegra.io/licensing/licences/casp-mica/cyprus-art60/) | ✓ | |
| [Cyprus: Crypto-Asset Service Provider (CASP) authorisation under MiCAR Article 63](https://protegra.io/licensing/licences/casp-mica/cyprus/) | ✓ | |
| [Czech Republic: Crypto-Asset Service Provider authorisation under MiCA and Act No. 31/2025 Coll. (povolení k činnosti poskytovatele služeb souvisejících s kryptoaktivy)](https://protegra.io/licensing/licences/casp-mica/czech-republic/) | ✓ | |
| [Dubai (VARA): Virtual Asset Broker-Dealer Services Licence](https://protegra.io/licensing/licences/vasp/dubai-broker-dealer/) | | ✓ |
| [Estonia: Authorisation to operate as a crypto-asset service provider under MiCA](https://protegra.io/licensing/licences/casp-mica/estonia/) | ✓ | |
| [France: Prestataire de services sur crypto-actifs (PSCA) / Crypto-asset service provider authorization under EU MiCA Regulation](https://protegra.io/licensing/licences/casp-mica/france/) | ✓ | |
| [Germany: Crypto-asset service provider licence (Zulassung als Anbieter von Kryptowerte-Dienstleistungen nach Art. 59 MiCAR / KMAG)](https://protegra.io/licensing/licences/casp-mica/germany/) | ✓ | |
| [Ireland: Crypto-Asset Service Provider Authorisation](https://protegra.io/licensing/licences/casp-mica/ireland/) | ✓ | |
| [Italy: Fornitore di servizi per le cripto-attività / Crypto-asset service provider (CASP) authorization](https://protegra.io/licensing/licences/casp-mica/italy/) | ✓ | |
| [Latvia: Crypto-asset service provider licence under MiCA](https://protegra.io/licensing/licences/casp-mica/latvia/) | ✓ | |
| [Lithuania: Crypto-asset service provider licence](https://protegra.io/licensing/licences/casp-mica/lithuania/) | ✓ | |
| [Luxembourg: Crypto-asset service provider authorisation under MiCA Regulation](https://protegra.io/licensing/licences/casp-mica/luxembourg/) | ✓ | |
| [Malta: Crypto-Asset Service Provider authorisation under Regulation (EU) 2023/1114](https://protegra.io/licensing/licences/casp-mica/malta/) | ✓ | |
| [Netherlands: Crypto-Asset Service Provider (CASP) authorisation under Regulation (EU) 2023/1114 (MiCA)](https://protegra.io/licensing/licences/casp-mica/netherlands/) | ✓ | |
| [Poland: Crypto-Asset Service Provider authorization under MiCA (zezwolenie na świadczenie usług w zakresie kryptoaktywów)](https://protegra.io/licensing/licences/casp-mica/poland/) | ✓ | |
| [Slovakia: Crypto-asset service provider licence under MiCA (povolenie na činnosť poskytovateľa služieb kryptoaktív)](https://protegra.io/licensing/licences/casp-mica/slovakia/) | ✓ | |
| [Spain: Proveedor de servicios de criptoactivos (PSC) / Crypto-asset service provider authorization](https://protegra.io/licensing/licences/casp-mica/spain/) | ✓ | |

## Frequently asked questions

### What best execution obligations apply to crypto order execution?

Under MiCA, authorised brokers must take all necessary steps to obtain the best possible result for clients, considering price, costs, speed, likelihood of execution and settlement size. Firms must establish and implement an order execution policy and disclose the venues where client orders are regularly routed.

### Can a firm execute client crypto orders against its own inventory?

Firms executing orders on behalf of clients must manage structural conflicts of interest. While internalisation is permitted in certain jurisdictions under strict disclosure, MiCA mandates that client orders be handled fairly, without front-running, prioritising client interests over the broker's proprietary inventory or affiliate trading desks.

## Sources

1. [MiCA Art. 3(1)(16)(e) and 3(1)(21)](https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2023/1114/oj): retrieved 2026-09-24

Last verified 2026-09-24 · Author: Danil Marmysh · Reviewed by Anastasia Sidorenkova · © Protegra. Data: CC BY 4.0, cite "Protegra Licensing Atlas". Not legal advice.