Regulated activity

Transfer services for crypto-assets

Moving crypto-assets on behalf of a client between distributed-ledger addresses or accounts requires a crypto-asset service provider (CASP) authorisation in the EU under MiCA Article 3(1)(16)(j) and 3(1)(26). European authorisation allows seamless passporting across the EEA. Outside the EU, transfer services are regulated under virtual asset service provider (VASP) frameworks implementing FATF travel rule standards.

Last verified 2026-09-24Markdown · Data (CC BY 4.0)
Transfer services for crypto-assets: regulated activityMiCA

Definition

Moving crypto-assets on behalf of a client from one distributed-ledger address or account to another.

Which licence you need

Licence families that typically permit this activity:

Where it can be licensed

Jurisdictions where transfer services for crypto-assets can be licensedCyprusCzech RepublicEstoniaFranceGermanyIrelandItalyLatviaLithuaniaLuxembourgNetherlandsPolandSlovakiaSpainDubai (VARA)Malta
Licences in the Atlas that permit this activity
EU/EEA passportDomestic
Cyprus: Notification by financial entities providing crypto-asset services under MiCAR Article 60✓
Cyprus: Crypto-Asset Service Provider (CASP) authorisation under MiCAR Article 63✓
Czech Republic: Crypto-Asset Service Provider authorisation under MiCA and Act No. 31/2025 Coll. (povolení k činnosti poskytovatele služeb souvisejících s kryptoaktivy)✓
Dubai (VARA): Virtual Asset Transfer and Settlement Services Licence✓
Estonia: Authorisation to operate as a crypto-asset service provider under MiCA✓
France: Prestataire de services sur crypto-actifs (PSCA) / Crypto-asset service provider authorization under EU MiCA Regulation✓
Germany: Crypto-asset service provider licence (Zulassung als Anbieter von Kryptowerte-Dienstleistungen nach Art. 59 MiCAR / KMAG)✓
Ireland: Crypto-Asset Service Provider Authorisation✓
Italy: Fornitore di servizi per le cripto-attività / Crypto-asset service provider (CASP) authorization✓
Latvia: Crypto-asset service provider licence under MiCA✓
Lithuania: Crypto-asset service provider licence✓
Luxembourg: Crypto-asset service provider authorisation under MiCA Regulation✓
Malta: Crypto-Asset Service Provider authorisation under Regulation (EU) 2023/1114✓
Netherlands: Crypto-Asset Service Provider (CASP) authorisation under Regulation (EU) 2023/1114 (MiCA)✓
Poland: Crypto-Asset Service Provider authorization under MiCA (zezwolenie na świadczenie usług w zakresie kryptoaktywów)✓
Slovakia: Crypto-asset service provider licence under MiCA (povolenie na činnosť poskytovateľa služieb kryptoaktív)✓
Spain: Proveedor de servicios de criptoactivos (PSC) / Crypto-asset service provider authorization✓

Frequently asked questions

What travel rule obligations apply when transferring crypto-assets?

Transfer service providers must obtain, verify and transmit originator and beneficiary information to the counterparty institution alongside each transaction. Under EU rules implementing FATF standards, these requirements apply to all crypto transfers involving regulated intermediaries, regardless of transaction value.

Does mining or blockchain transaction validation constitute a regulated crypto transfer service?

No, proof-of-work miners, proof-of-stake validators and node operators validating blockchain consensus do not act as intermediaries moving assets on behalf of clients. They provide decentralised computational infrastructure rather than customer-facing custodial transfer services, placing them outside the scope of CASP transfer regulation.

Last verified 2026-09-24Author Danil Marmysh, Founder & CEO, ProtegraReviewed by Anastasia Sidorenkova, Head of Licensing, ProtegraReport an errorReference information, not legal advice.

Sources

  1. MiCA Art. 3(1)(16)(j) and 3(1)(26) · retrieved 2026-09-24

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