World Watch/Armenia/Crypto & Digital Assets

Crypto & Digital Assets · Armenia

Crypto & Digital Assets - Armenia

RegulatedLaw of the Republic of Armenia 'On Crypto-Assets' (adopted 29 May 2025, in force 4 July 2025), with implementing by-laws of the Central Bank of Armenia (CBA) in force from 31 January 2026; supervised and licensed by the Central Bank of Armenia. Crypto-assets are also defined for tax purposes in the Tax Code and treated as a distinct asset class under the Civil Code.

Crypto is legal in Armenia and is now governed by a comprehensive, MiCA-modeled regime. The Law 'On Crypto-Assets' entered into force on 4 July 2025 and the first package of Central Bank by-laws governing crypto-asset service providers took effect on 31 January 2026, requiring CBA licensing for exchanges, custodians, token issuers and related providers. The law regulates the financial (not technological) side of the sector and aligns closely with EU Regulation 2023/1114 (MiCA).

MiCA-modeled primary law

The Law 'On Crypto-Assets' was adopted by the National Assembly on 29 May 2025 and entered into force on 4 July 2025; its logic and effect mirror EU Regulation 2023/1114 (MiCA), regulating public offerings, public sale/purchase and crypto-asset services.

Central Bank as sole regulator

The Central Bank of Armenia licenses and supervises all crypto-asset service providers; any person must obtain a CBA license before providing crypto-asset services.

By-laws in force 31 Jan 2026

The first package of CBA regulatory acts governing crypto-asset service providers (published 21 Jan 2026) took effect on 31 January 2026, setting registration, internal-policy, governance and manager-fit-and-proper requirements.

Ten licensed service categories

Regulated services include operating a trading platform, custody/administration, dealing on own account, dealing on behalf of clients, order transmission, placement, portfolio management, advice, transfer of crypto-assets, and issuance of asset-referenced (stablecoin-type) tokens.

Tiered capital requirements

Minimum charter-capital requirements vary by service type, reported from roughly USD 30,000 up to about USD 530,000, alongside ongoing AML/KYC, recordkeeping and CBA reporting obligations.

Transition period for incumbents

Providers already operating before the law took effect (4 July 2025) must obtain a CBA license within one year of the by-laws entering force, i.e. by 31 January 2027, or cease operations.

Machine-assisted translation · verified 5/23/2026 · orientation, not legal advice. English version →