Crypto-Asset Service Provider authorisation under Regulation (EU) 2023/1114 (Malta)
The Crypto-Asset Service Provider authorisation under Regulation (EU) 2023/1114 is issued by Malta Financial Services Authority (MFSA) under Regulation (EU) 2023/1114 on markets in crypto-assets (MiCA). It can be passported to the other EU/EEA states by notification. The official register lists 22 current holders. The legal decision period is 40 working days from receipt of a complete application (following 25 working days completeness assessment). Ownership changes need the regulator's approval before completion.
At a glance
| Official name | Crypto-Asset Service Provider authorisation under Regulation (EU) 2023/11141 |
|---|---|
| Issued by | Malta Financial Services Authority |
| Jurisdiction | Malta |
| Licence family | Crypto-asset service provider (MiCA CASP) |
| Legal basis | Regulation (EU) 2023/1114 on markets in crypto-assets (MiCA)1 |
| Passporting | EU/EEA passport available |
| Statutory decision time | 40 working days from receipt of a complete application (following 25 working days completeness assessment)1 |
| Public register | official register2 |
| Current holders | 222 |
What it lets you do
- Custody and administration of crypto-assets
- Operating a crypto-asset trading platform
- Exchange of crypto-assets for funds
- Exchange of crypto-assets for other crypto-assets
- Execution of orders for crypto-assets on behalf of clients
- Placing of crypto-assets
- Reception and transmission of orders for crypto-assets
- Advice on crypto-assets
- Portfolio management of crypto-assets
- Transfer services for crypto-assets
- Custody and administration of crypto-assets. Safekeeping or controlling crypto-assets, or the means of access to them such as private keys, on behalf of clients.
- Operating a crypto-asset trading platform. Managing a multilateral system that brings together buying and selling interests in crypto-assets so that contracts are concluded.
- Exchange of crypto-assets for funds. Buying or selling crypto-assets against fiat money using the provider's own capital.
- Exchange of crypto-assets for other crypto-assets. Concluding contracts with clients to swap one crypto-asset for another using the provider's own capital.
- Execution of orders for crypto-assets on behalf of clients. Concluding agreements to buy or sell crypto-assets on behalf of clients, including subscribing to offers.
- Placing of crypto-assets. Marketing crypto-assets to purchasers on behalf of or for the account of the offeror or a related party.
- Reception and transmission of orders for crypto-assets. Receiving a client's order to buy or sell crypto-assets and passing it to a third party for execution.
- Advice on crypto-assets. Giving personalised recommendations to a client about transactions in crypto-assets or the use of crypto-asset services.
- Portfolio management of crypto-assets. Managing portfolios that include crypto-assets on a discretionary, client-by-client basis under a mandate.
- Transfer services for crypto-assets. Moving crypto-assets on behalf of a client from one distributed-ledger address or account to another.
Where it is valid
How long it takes
Statutory: 40 working days from receipt of a complete application (following 25 working days completeness assessment)1. Observed: not published. The statutory clock usually starts only when the regulator treats the application as complete, and pauses while it waits for answers to its questions.
Buying a company that already holds it
Prior approval required. Acquiring or increasing a qualifying holding needs the MFSA's prior approval. For payment and e-money institutions the Financial Institutions Act sets the thresholds at 20%, 30% and 50%; for banks the Banking Act adds a 60-working-day assessment period that can be extended.3
Ready-made companies holding this licence: see verified positions.
Laws behind it
- Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation: Regulation (EU) 2023/1114
Getting this licence
Protegra handles this licence end to end: CASP licensing in Malta: process, timeline and our fee.
Sources
- eur-lex.europa.eu: HTML (32023R1114) · retrieved 2026-09-24
- esma.europa.eu: CASPS.csv · retrieved 2026-09-24
- legislation.mt: 683418610db9942428cf9d49 · retrieved 2026-09-24
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