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The Lithuania crypto license is the second most popular solution for crypto businesses seeking to enter the European market. The jurisdiction began regulating cryptocurrencies in 2020 with the introduction of its first legal framework and has since become increasingly attractive to digital asset businesses.
Even following the 2022 tightening of industry regulation by the Bank of Lithuania, the Ministry of Finance, and the Financial Crime Investigation Service (FCIS/FNTT), Lithuania remained the second most attractive European crypto hub after Poland, hosting 537 digital asset firms as of the end of 2024.
Previously, when no dedicated crypto licensing regime was in place, Lithuania crypto license effectively acted merely as an authorization for virtual asset service providers (VASPs) to operate in the region. Now that EU Regulation 2023/1114 on Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) has entered full force, digital asset businesses must obtain a valid Crypto-Asset Service Provider or CASP license to legally serve clients in Lithuania and the wider European Union.
The Lithuanian Parliament (Seimas) has established a grandfathering period until January 1, 2026, after which existing VASPs must transition to CASP status to passport services across all 27 EU Member States. From 2026 on, the Bank of Lithuania, as the national competent authority, is responsible for licensing and supervising crypto-asset market participants under MiCA regulation.
Under the Lithuania MiCA license, all crypto businesses are now required to adhere to rigorous standards of transparency, security, and full legal compliance with applicable legislation. The country’s progressive approach to nationwide MiCA implementation is what continues to draw interest from serious crypto businesses seeking a credible European base.
Obtaining a crypto license in Lithuania offers a well-balanced combination of the most sought-after advantages. Key benefits include:
In practice, the total cost of a MiCA license in Lithuania is typically determined on a case-by-case basis, given the selected corporate structure, the scope of activities falling under MiCA, and the level of legal support required through the process can all shape the final price.
At the same time, the Lithuania CASP license cost can be broken down into the following:
| | Czech Republic | Lithuania | Cyprus |
|---|---|---|---|
| Competent authority and AML Supervisor | Czech National Bank (ČNB), (FAÚ) – the Czech FIU under the Ministry of Finance | Bank of Lithuania, The Financial Crime Investigation Service (FNTT) | Central Bank of Cyprus (CBC), together with the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC) and the Cyprus FIU (MOKAS) |
| MiCA Transition Period Deadline | July 1, 2026 | December 31, 2025 | July 1, 2026 |
| Total Cost | Reach us for details | Reach us for details | Reach us for details |
| Time to Obtain | 6 to 12 months | 6 to 12 months | 6 to 12 months |
| Application Fee | CZK 10,000 (€415) | €2,425 paid on approval to the Bank of Lithuania | from €8,000 to €30,000 depending on the activity |
| Maintenance Fee(s) | Not specified (could be communicated separately) | Not specified (could be communicated separately) | Annual supervisory fees |
| Corporate Tax | 21% | 6 to 17%, based on the company size | 15% |
| MiCA+ Requirements | Local language filing; extensive CNB supervisory powers, including interim transfer restrictions and asset freezes; enhanced public transparency through CNB-maintained registers; statutory protection of entrusted client assets with insolvency segregation and mandatory return mechanics; and annual external auditor verification of safeguarding measures for custody providers | Strong operational center in the country, filing in local language, prior authorization of each manager by the Bank of Lithuania, mandatory board-level governance, statutory audit for all CASPs, and enhanced auditor reporting obligations. | Enhanced transition evidence + continued AML/CASP register obligations until MiCA license; CySEC pre-assessment (pre-filing) route; ongoing AML staffing (AMLCO + internal audit) per Cyprus AML law/CySEC CASP directive; Travel Rule applies during transition. |
The Lithuania CASP License has become a strategic choice for digital asset businesses seeking full access to the EU market. Yet, similar to the MiCA license in Poland, the Czech Republic, and other EU member states, obtaining one requires careful preparation and a well-designed corporate framework aligned with rigorous compliance standards.
Key requirements that companies must meet to secure a crypto license in Lithuania successfully:
At this stage, entrepreneurs must register the company with the Lithuanian Register of Legal Entities and fulfill all relevant legal and administrative requirements.
An application for a CASP license in Lithuania is expected to include a detailed business plan along with all mandatory documentation, typically spanning organizational charts, internal policies, proof of funds, and related materials.
Under MiCA, companies must meet a minimum share capital requirement of EUR 50,000, EUR 125,000, or EUR 150,000, determined by the types of regulated activities engaged and the subsequent CASP license class (I–III).
The business must appoint a Lithuania-resident AML Officer, maintain a physical office in the country, and ensure that it has at least one board member (comprising no fewer than two members) who is a Lithuanian resident.
Senior officers and beneficiaries of these entities are required to demonstrate the absence of any criminal record for serious or very serious crimes, either in Lithuania or abroad, ensuring a clean legal history. In addition, board members are expected to have adequate knowledge, skills, and experience to manage a crypto business effectively, as assessed by the number of years spent in relevant positions, including within the cryptocurrency sector.
MiCA license holders shall implement AMl/CFT frameworks aligned with the EU-wide standards and carry out the KYC during onboarding, ongoing transaction monitoring, and suspicious activity reporting, among other safeguards.
At this stage, entrepreneurs must register the company with the Lithuanian Register of Legal Entities and fulfill all relevant legal and administrative requirements.
An application for a CASP license in Lithuania is expected to include a detailed business plan along with all mandatory documentation, typically spanning organizational charts, internal policies, proof of funds, and related materials.
Under MiCA, companies must meet a minimum share capital requirement of EUR 50,000, EUR 125,000, or EUR 150,000, determined by the types of regulated activities engaged and the subsequent CASP license class (I–III).
The business must appoint a Lithuania-resident AML Officer, maintain a physical office in the country, and ensure that it has at least one board member (comprising no fewer than two members) who is a Lithuanian resident.
Senior officers and beneficiaries of these entities are required to demonstrate the absence of any criminal record for serious or very serious crimes, either in Lithuania or abroad, ensuring a clean legal history. In addition, board members are expected to have adequate knowledge, skills, and experience to manage a crypto business effectively, as assessed by the number of years spent in relevant positions, including within the cryptocurrency sector.
MiCA license holders shall implement AMl/CFT frameworks aligned with the EU-wide standards and carry out the KYC during onboarding, ongoing transaction monitoring, and suspicious activity reporting, among other safeguards.
Obtaining a crypto license in Lithuania is a multi-stage process designed to ensure operational integrity under the supervision of the Bank of Lithuania. From company incorporation to the preparation of documentation aligned with European standards, each step must be carefully managed to ensure seamless approval.
The entire process to get a Lithuania crypto license takes around 6 to 12 months, depending on the complexity of the application and the responsiveness of the applicant to regulatory classification requests.
At this stage, Inteliumlaw engages in preliminary consultations with project stakeholders and performs an in-depth legal review to suggest the best possible structuring solution, taking into account the applicable regulations.
Securing the company name and drafting the necessary incorporation paperwork, including the articles of association, information on shareholders and directors, and evidence of the registered office address in Lithuania.
Facilitate company registration in the Company Register by submitting all the required documents to the Lithuanian Register of Legal Entities.
Following the initial company formation, our team remains actively involved in gathering the required documentation for a crypto license application, appointing the AML officer and other key personnel, implementing KYC and other internal policies, and other related preparations.
The MiCA white paper must be drafted in full compliance with the relevant annexes.
Once the application is complete, it is submitted to the Bank of Lithuania (BoL), as the national competent authority, for review.
Within 25 working days of receiving an application, the Bank of Lithuania (BoL) shall assess whether the application is complete and may issue clarification requests if anything is incorrect. Where the application is complete, the competent authorities shall decide whether to issue a CASP license.
Once the regulator confirms that the applicant fully complies with MiCA, a Lithuania crypto license is granted, allowing the applicant to operate as a regulated CASP in Lithuania and other EU member states.
At Inteliumlaw, clients receive full-fledged support through the entire process of getting a CASP license in Lithuania, with our experts taking care of every detail on your behalf so you can stay focused on what truly matters. Having supported numerous crypto companies entering Europe, our team brings the expertise to secure a MiCA license efficiently and operate from Lithuania into the broader EU market.
Whether your business already has VASP authorization and is preparing to transition and get a MiCA license or is entering the market from scratch, Inteliumlaw offers end-to-end legal support. Contact our team for professional guidance on obtaining a Lithuania crypto license.
Through years of supporting businesses’ sustainable growth, Inteliumlaw has built a robust network of partners ranging from software developers and gaming technology providers to operators and white-label businesses – all designed to offer our clients immediate access to industry-leading solutions.
Managing Partner at Inteliumlaw
Languages: English/Ukrainian
A crypto license in Lithuania is a mandatory permission (authorization process) for СASPs before offering crypto-related services to comply with EU laws and regulations.
Lithuania MiCA license applicants must submit the following basic documents:
A Lithuania crypto license enhances credibility, provides access to the European digital asset market, and strengthens relationships with banks and payment institutions. On the administrative side, a Lithuania MiCA license offers a flexible and remote setup, which has earned the reputation of an EU fintech hub with competitive tax rates (potential reductions for new companies apply) and a transparent, clear, and robust regulatory framework.
Since the introduction of Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (MiCAR), the Lithuania crypto license is split between three main classes, each designed to authorize specific crypto-asset services such as exchange services (fiat-to-crypto and crypto-to-crypto), trading platform operation, execution and transmission of orders, investment advice, portfolio management, placing of crypto-assets, and transfer services, among others.
While a corporate bank account is not mandatory at the initial registration stage, it is essential for establishing the required share capital later on. In practice, however, securing a reliable crypto-friendly banking partner is highly recommended.
Under the MiCA, companies must demonstrate adequate financial resources to sustain operations in the long term and maintain compliance standards. Accordingly, Lithuania MiCA license holders shall satisfy a minimum share capital requirement ranging from €50,000 to €150,000, depending on the services offered.
Typically, the company incorporation process itself can be completed within several weeks, provided all documentation is prepared in advance. Yet, the entire Lithuania MiCA license application can take between 6 and 12 months, subject to the authorities’ responsiveness and other additional factors.
Lithuania allows non-resident shareholders and directors, making it particularly attractive for foreign entrepreneurs. However, at least one of the directors (board members) must be an EU resident to satisfy local regulatory requirements.
The cryptocurrency license in Lithuania has no expiration date and remains valid as long as the company complies with the ongoing MiCA provisions and other key regulatory acts.
Crypto activities in Lithuania are primarily governed by such acts:
Companies that have obtained a crypto license in Lithuania are required to comply with regulatory requirements and provide regular reports, including on the following:
The accumulated experience and tracking of future changes in this area allow us to be proactive
for our clients and develop the most adapted business structures to modern conditions.
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