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Crypto & Digital Assets · Latvia

Crypto license in Latvia: MiCA CASP requirements (2026)

RegulatedEU Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (MiCA, Regulation (EU) 2023/1114) implemented nationally by Latvia's Law on Crypto-asset Services (Kriptoaktīvu pakalpojumu likums, adopted 13 July 2024); Latvijas Banka is the single competent authority for licensing and supervision.Country index 96 · A+

Latvia shaded by its crypto & digital assets status

Crypto is regulated in Latvia, primarily under EU Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (MiCA, Regulation (EU) 2023/1114) implemented nationally by Latvia's Law on Crypto-asset Services (Kriptoaktīvu pakalpojumu likums, adopted 13 July 2024); Latvijas Banka is the single competent authority for licensing and supervision..

Latvia operates a comprehensive, in-force crypto regulatory regime built on EU MiCA plus its dedicated 2024 national Law on Crypto-asset Services, with Latvijas Banka as the national competent authority. CASP authorisations have been issued since the regime applied on 30 December 2024 (first MiCA licence to BlockBen on 3 Dec 2025; multiple licences issued through 2026), and stablecoin issuer rules have applied since 30 June 2024. Tax treatment, AML, and the EU DAC8/CARF crypto-reporting regime (effective 1 January 2026, enforcement from 1 July 2026) complete the framework.

How to get a crypto license in Latvia

To provide crypto-asset services in Latvia you need a MiCA CASP authorisation (Crypto-Asset Service Provider), supervised by Latvijas Banka, under the EU Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (MiCA), Title V.

Authority
Latvijas Banka
License required
a MiCA CASP authorisation (Crypto-Asset Service Provider)
Framework / law
the EU Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (MiCA), Title V
Minimum capital
€50,000–€150,000 minimum, by service class (Class 1/2/3)
Timeline
about 40 working days of substantive review; 1–3 months for a well-prepared application
Cost
an application fee of roughly €5,000–€25,000, plus ongoing supervisory fees
Passporting
Yes — a single MiCA CASP licence passports across all 27 EU member states.

Crypto license in Latvia: FAQ

Do you need a license to run a crypto business in Latvia?

Yes. To provide crypto-asset services in Latvia you need a MiCA CASP authorisation (Crypto-Asset Service Provider), supervised by Latvijas Banka, under the EU Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (MiCA), Title V.

Which authority issues crypto licenses in Latvia?

Latvijas Banka.

How much does a crypto license cost in Latvia?

An application fee of roughly €5,000–€25,000, plus ongoing supervisory fees.

How long does it take to get a crypto license in Latvia?

Typically about 40 working days of substantive review; 1–3 months for a well-prepared application.

Does a Latvia crypto license work in other EU/EEA countries?

Yes — a single MiCA CASP licence passports across all 27 EU member states.

Key points

MiCA national implementation

Latvia's Law on Crypto-asset Services entered into force on 30 June 2024 and applies to CASPs from 30 December 2024, complementing MiCA and designating Latvijas Banka as the supervisory authority and the licensor for crypto-asset issuers and service providers.

Competent authority, Latvijas Banka

Latvijas Banka (the central bank, which absorbed the FCMC in 2023) authorises and supervises CASPs and crypto-asset issuers, runs free pre-licensing consultations and an Innovation Hub, with a 25-day completeness check and 40-day substantive review process.

Licences issued under MiCA

First MiCA CASP licences in Latvia were issued by Latvijas Banka on 3 December 2025 (BlockBen SIA; Nexdesk); Paybis received a landmark dual MiCA/PSD2 authorisation in May 2026, and a fourth crypto licence was issued in May 2026.

Tax treatment

The State Revenue Service (VID) treats crypto-assets as capital assets: gains on conversion to fiat or other goods are taxed at the 25.5% capital gains rate; crypto-to-crypto swaps are not a taxable event; quarterly declarations are required if quarterly income exceeds €1,000.

DAC8 / CARF reporting

Latvia transposed DAC8 and the OECD CARF via Bill 24-TA-3148 (approved June 2025); reporting CASPs must file annual reports to VID on prior-year crypto transactions, with the regime live on 1 January 2026 and full compliance required by 1 July 2026; fines up to €14,000 for non-compliance.

Capital and offering thresholds

CASP minimum own-funds requirements follow MiCA's three classes (€50,000 / €125,000 / €150,000). Crypto-asset offerings: below €1m no notification; €1-8m requires an offer document; above €8m requires a prospectus approved by Latvijas Banka.

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