The key question I hear more and more often from COREDO clients:
Czechia today is one of the entry points to the European crypto market: flexible national VASP regulation, clear case law, and access to consulting expertise in Prague and Brno. But from 2026 it will be a completely different game: the national regime for VASPs will transform into the CASP regime under MiCA, and AML/KYC and cybersecurity requirements will move closer to banking standards.
In this article I will lay out step by step what the process of obtaining a crypto license in the Czech Republic will look like in 2026, what the realistic timelines are, what the requirements are for capital, corporate governance, AML/KYC and DORA, and at which stages having an experienced partner like COREDO saves months and tens of thousands of euros of budget.
If you are planning to register a crypto company in the Czech Republic or to relicense an existing VASP to the Czech CASP regime, I recommend reading to the end: what follows is a practical guide, not a theoretical overview.
Crypto license in the Czech Republic in 2026: what is it and why is it needed?
From 2026 the focus shifts: the key regime becomes the MiCA crypto license, and providers will convert into Crypto‑Asset Service Providers (CASP). This status gives not only the right to operate in the Czech Republic but also passporting across the entire EU, provided MiCA standards on capital, risk management, client protection and disclosure are met.
The Markets in Crypto‑Assets (MiCA) regulation introduces uniform rules for issuers and providers of crypto-asset services across the Union:
- strict requirements for the crypto license in the Czech Republic regarding capital, corporate governance, IT security and reserves;
- a clear classification of services (custody, exchange, order execution, portfolio management, etc.);
- expanded AML obligations (Anti‑Money Laundering) and KYC (Know Your Customer) in conjunction with the existing European AML framework.
For existing Czech VASPs this means relicensing under MiCA in the Czech Republic: companies that currently operate under national rules will have to:
- adapt their governance structure, risk management and IT systems to CASP standards;
- confirm the minimum share capital for the crypto license and the existence of financial reserves;
- update internal policies on AML/CFT, incident management and data protection.
In practical COREDO projects I see a simple pattern: companies that view MiCA as a ‘tick-box’ requirement enter the market with a fragile model. Those who build their business architecture ‘for MiCA from scratch’ gain a competitive advantage in scaling and in banks’ trust.
Obtaining a crypto license in the Czech Republic in 2026
The process of obtaining a crypto license in the Czech Republic in 2026: this is no longer a formality, but a complex sequence of legal and compliance steps within the MiCA framework and the requirements of the Czech National Bank. To successfully go through this path, the first key step becomes registration of a legal entity for crypto business, which defines the legal basis and structure of the future licensable activity.
Registration of a legal entity for crypto business
The first step is the registration of a legal entity (s.r.o. or a.s.) in the Czech Republic. In practice, 90% of crypto projects choose s.r.o. as the analogue of a private limited company: flexible charter, clear corporate governance and adequate capital requirements. For more capital‑intensive projects (crypto exchanges, custody providers) an a.s. (joint‑stock company) is sometimes appropriate.
registration requirements in the Commercial Register include:
- signing the founding documents;
- specifying the ownership and beneficiaries structure;
- registered address.
MiCA and local practice effectively establish requirements for a physical office in the Czech Republic and actual presence:
- an office or a full registered address with actual operational activity;
- the presence of a compliance officer and internal controls that are actually located in the jurisdiction and can interact with the regulator.
Preparation and submission of documents
The next block is the documents for a crypto license in the Czech Republic. The standard package that the COREDO team prepares for clients includes:
- a detailed business‑plan and financial forecast for at least 3 years with stress‑scenario modelling;
- financial statements (for existing companies) and confirmation of founders’ sources of funds;
- policies and procedures on AML/KYC, risk management, information security, incident management;
- description of IT architecture, encryption technologies, backup and recovery procedures.
- detailed CVs demonstrating relevant experience in finance, IT, and risk management;
- Due Diligence of management and owners, including checks against international sanctions and PEP lists;
- background checks and certificates of no criminal record from countries of citizenship and residence.
For a CASP license, the regulator assesses the minimum capital for a crypto license in the Czech Republic and the financial resilience and reserves for crypto companies. Specific requirements for the share capital for a crypto license in the Czech Republic depend on the type of services:
- custody and asset storage – a higher capital and reserve threshold;
- brokerage and exchange services, separate requirements for own funds and liquidity;
- lighter models (for example, single exchange services): reduced limits, but still higher than for an ordinary s.r.o. without a license.
implementation of AML, KYC and compliance programs
AML requirements for crypto business in the Czech Republic in 2026 will combine national rules and the pan‑European AML package. For the license the key elements are:
- a formal and functioning AML/CFT program covering client identification, transaction monitoring, management of suspicious operations and reporting;
- clearly described KYC and AML for crypto companies in the Czech Republic with a risk‑based approach (different levels of checks for different client categories and geographies);
- regular internal and external audits of AML/CFT program implementation for crypto companies in the Czech Republic.
Separate block: corporate risk management in the crypto sector: here COREDO helps clients build:
- a risk matrix (regulatory, market, operational, IT risks);
- incident escalation procedures;
- an internal control system where the compliance officer has a real veto right over transactions and products.
Technological requirements and cybersecurity
After the implementation of MiCA and DORA (Digital Operational Resilience Act), crypto companies in terms of IT risk requirements are effectively approaching banks and payment organizations.
For cybersecurity and DORA in crypto licensing in the Czech Republic the following are important:
- a formalized IT risk management framework: identify, protect, detect, respond and recover;
- regular testing of digital operational resilience: stress tests, penetration testing, cyber incident drills;
- documented procedures for interaction with IT services outsourcing providers.
Technological standards and innovations in crypto licensing include:
- implementation of encryption technologies for storing keys and personal data;
- multi‑factor authentication and role separation for critical operations;
- testing for resilience to attacks as a mandatory part of licensing.
Timelines and stages for obtaining a crypto license in the Czech Republic
Conventionally, the stages and timelines for obtaining a crypto license in the Czech Republic look like this:
- 1–2 months – company registration, office selection, formation of the management team;
- 2–3 months, preparation of documentation, financial models, IT descriptions and compliance policies;
- 3–4 months: review of the application by the regulator, responses to requests, revision of documents.
- the complexity of the business model (custody, exchange, brokerage usually require more detailed elaboration);
- the completeness of the provided data;
- the company’s readiness to respond promptly to regulator requests.
Features of MiCA relicensing in the Czech Republic
For existing VASPs the key question is: how does relicensing of crypto companies in Czechia under MiCA proceed. Essentially, this is about transforming the status into a CASP license in Czechia.
Procedures for relicensing under MiCA include:
- an audit of the current model for compliance with MiCA and DORA;
- analysis of corporate governance, capital, IT systems and AML/KYC;
- preparation of a transition plan and a roadmap to close gaps.
- weak and undercapitalized participants will most likely exit the market or be acquired;
- strong players with well-thought governance and IT setup will gain a strategic advantage through access to the pan-European market.
In COREDO’s relicensing projects we usually build a phased plan: first we address the ‘critical’ requirements (capital, governance, AML), then DORA and fine IT tuning.
Tax and finances of crypto business in the Czech Republic
The financial section begins with the minimum share capital and financial reserves. Depending on the type of CASP, the regulator sets:
- minimum own funds;
- additional reserves for operational and IT risks;
- liquidity requirements and coverage of client obligations.
Tax regulation of the crypto business in the Czech Republic is built on general corporate rules, but is supplemented by specific issues:
- tax accounting of cryptoasset transactions;
- rules for recognition of income and expenses of crypto exchanges and exchangers;
- requirements for documenting cross-border transactions.
With a well-structured setup, tax incentives for crypto business in the Czech Republic are possible, especially when using innovative and R&D models, but this is always calculated individually.
For the license the following are required:
- detailed financial statements and a business plan for the crypto license, including scenario analysis;
- proof of financial stability and reserves for crypto companies;
- a realistic ROI model in crypto licensing: an assessment of the costs of preparation, maintaining the license and potential revenue.
Key takeaways for entrepreneurs
If we systematize our experience at COREDO on how to obtain a crypto license in the Czech Republic in 2026 under MiCA, the practical steps are as follows:
- Define the target business model and list of services (custody, exchange, brokerage, exchange service), as capital, IT and the scope of compliance depend on this.
- Choose the form of legal entity registration (s.r.o., a.s.) in the Czech Republic, taking into account capital and governance requirements.
- Form the management team and appoint a strong compliance officer with real authority.
- Develop and implement AML and KYC programs for a crypto company in the Czech Republic, embedding a risk‑based approach and regular audits.
- Bring the IT infrastructure in line with DORA requirements, crypto platform cybersecurity and digital operational resilience.
- Prepare a business plan, financial forecast and documentation package taking into account regulator requirements and the specifics of beneficiary profiles.
To minimize risks and speed up the process, in COREDO projects we focus on:
- preventive work on vulnerable areas (beneficiaries, sources of funds, IT outsourcing);
- building corporate risk management in the crypto sector before submitting the application;
- proactive communication with the regulator at the questions and clarifications stage.
- cross‑border regulation of crypto services in the EU;
- reporting and control standards for crypto providers;
- real processes for digital and financial resilience.
From COREDO’s experience, those who start thinking about MiCA, DORA, AML and cybersecurity in advance perceive 2026 not as a threat but as a window of opportunity: the market will become more transparent and the barriers to entry higher. And it is precisely here that a well‑thought‑out crypto license in the Czech Republic turns into a strategic asset, not just a regulatory obligation.