
On July 31, 2025, a date that will go down in the history of European fintech: the new MiCA regime (Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation) officially comes into force in the Czech Republic, completely changing the rules for crypto businesses, financial startups, and international companies. According to the European Commission, in 2024 the crypto-asset market in the EU exceeded €1.2 trillion, with almost 60% of entrepreneurs facing legal uncertainty or license denial risk due to non-compliance with new regulatory standards.
What does this mean for business? For the first time in history, Europe is gaining a unified, transparent, and strictly controlled regime for crypto services, with Czech Republic becoming one of the key platforms for scaling and entering EU markets. However, with opportunities come new challenges: tougher licensing requirements, comprehensive AML/KYC control, strict IT infrastructure standards, and serious penalties for violations.
Is your business ready for the transition to MiCA regulation? What strategic decisions will help not only survive but also take a leading position in the new reality? In this article, I, Nikita Veremeev, share practical experiences from COREDO, highlight key nuances of the Czech Digital Finance Act, delve into the process of obtaining a CASP license, and offer step-by-step recommendations for entrepreneurs not ready to risk their future. Read to the end, and you’ll receive not only an analytical breakdown but also tools for real success in the era of MiCA Czech Republic 2025.
MiCA and Digital Finance Act: Changes in Czechia 2025
MiCA and the Digital Finance Act in 2025 inaugurate a new phase of regulation in the digital finance and crypto-assets market for Czechia. These changes unify the requirements for all market participants and introduce unified rules, which both existing companies and new market players need to prepare for.
MiCA and Czech Legislation: Key Requirements
The MiCA regulation is not just another directive but a full-fledged law integrated into Czech law through the Digital Finance Act (Act No. 31/2025 Coll.). The main aim of the reform is to create unified standards for crypto-business, ensure transparency, protect investors, and integrate national regulation into the overall EU system.
The Czech National Bank (ČNB) has received expanded powers to oversee Crypto-Asset Service Providers (CASP), as well as the activities of crypto exchanges, investment platforms, and token issuers. Now the criteria for market access, financial monitoring, and capital requirements have become unified for all EU countries, paving the way for a pan-European license and passporting – the right to provide crypto services across Europe without the need for repeated licensing in each state.
Crypto-Assets and Services under MiCA
MiCA covers a wide range of crypto-assets and services, including:
- asset-referenced tokens (ARTs), tokens backed by a basket of assets (for example, stablecoins linked to multiple currencies or commodities);
- e-money tokens (EMTs), tokens equivalent to electronic money (for example, stablecoins pegged to a single currency);
- utility tokens, tokens providing access to digital products or services;
- services for storage, exchange, portfolio management, placement, and trading of crypto-assets (CASP/VASP).
What MiCA Does Not Regulate: List of Exceptions
MiCA does not apply to:
- security tokens subject to MiFID II;
- NFTs that are not mass or not used as a means of payment;
- reverse solicitation – where the client initiates contact with the provider independently;
- internal tokens used exclusively within closed ecosystems.
CASP License in Czechia: New Requirements 2025
CASP License in Czechia: New Requirements 2025 responds to the tightening of European regulatory standards for the cryptocurrency market and the implementation of MiCA. In the near future, obtaining or renewing a CASP license will only be possible by meeting updated requirements regarding the company’s structure, making the authorization process more stringent and formalized.
How to Obtain a CASP License under MiCA
obtaining a CASP license in Czechia under MiCA is a structured process that the COREDO team has implemented for dozens of clients from the EU, Asia, and CIS. Main stages include:
- registration of a legal entity in Czechia, considering requirements for corporate structure and transparency of beneficiaries.
- Preparation of the documentation package: business plan, internal policies, AML/KYC procedures, IT infrastructure description, confirmation of capital sources.
- Contribution of the minimum statutory capital (amount depends on the license class and spectrum of services provided).
- Application to the ČNB and passing a preliminary audit for MiCA regulation compliance.
- Obtaining the CASP license and activation of passporting for access to EU markets.
Requirements for CASP IT Infrastructure
MiCA imposes special requirements on CASP IT infrastructure: the system must ensure cybersecurity, incident resilience, regular data backup, and fast recovery of operations. Internal control systems should include:
- automated transaction monitoring;
- procedures for identifying suspicious operations;
- regular reporting and audit.
Costs and Types of CASP Licenses
CASP License Class | Minimum Capital | Main Services | Acquisition Time |
---|---|---|---|
Basic | €125,000 | Exchange, custody | 3–4 mo. |
Advanced | €350,000 | Portfolio management, trading | 4–6 mo. |
Full | €750,000 | EMT/ART issuance, investment services | 6–8 mo. |
MiCA Transitional Period for CASP in Czechia
The MiCA transitional period for CASP in Czechia introduces new rules and strict deadlines for all crypto businesses operating in the country. Understanding these requirements in this regulation and how to properly prepare for the transition to a new CASP license is crucial to ensuring seamless operations.
Transition to MiCA: How to Prepare Your Business
What is Grandfathering and How to Apply It?
To minimize operational risks and costs during the transition period, I recommend:
- Conducting a gap analysis of current procedures’ compliance with MiCA standards;
- Implementing automated monitoring and reporting tools;
- Using transition provisions for phased migration of the business model;
- Pre-agreeing with ČNB on the plan for adapting IT infrastructure and internal policies.
Transition for Startups and Small Businesses: Key Points
- Using modular solutions for AML/KYC and internal control;
- Engaging external experts for speedy compliance procedure implementation;
- Building scalable IT infrastructure considering future passporting.
Risks and Sanctions MiCA in Czechia
Risks and Sanctions MiCA in Czechia become a key issue for all participants in the crypto market. Non-compliance with these regulatory requirements can lead to significant fines, activity restrictions, and inclusion in high-risk entity registries. Below we will examine specific risks for crypto businesses in the context of MiCA.
Non-Compliance Risks of MiCA for Crypto Business
Business Executive Duties 2025
With MiCA’s introduction, executives and owners of CASPs must:
- Ensure transparency of the corporate structure;
- Implement regular audits and risk information disclosure;
- Control the compliance of crypto services advertising with new standards;
- Timely update internal policies and procedures.
Investor and Consumer Rights
MiCA and AML for Crypto Business
The MiCA law and AML requirements become key guidelines for crypto businesses in the European market. Modern regulations not only set new rules of the game but also significantly influence AML/KYC practices, especially in jurisdictions like Czechia.
Impact of MiCA on AML/KYC in Czechia
Implementing AML Policies: Practical Advice
For successful adaptation to new standards, I recommend:
- Using specialized AML systems with CASP IT infrastructure integration capabilities;
- Regularly updating internal control procedures;
- Conducting independent audits of AML/KYC processes.
AML for Cross-Border and DeFi Operations
MiCA for the first time introduces AML/KYC requirements for cross-border services and DeFi operations. Passporting allows CASPs to provide services across the EU but requires compliance with each jurisdiction’s standards. For DeFi operations, it’s crucial to ensure the transparency of smart contracts and participant identification.
Opportunities and Risks of MiCA for Business
Opportunities and risks of MiCA for business become key factors for all companies wishing to work with crypto-assets in the EU. The new regulation opens the market but simultaneously sets strict licensing and operational requirements, necessitating careful preparation for passporting and licensing.
Passporting and Licensing for Entering the EU Market
MiCA and Tokenization: What Changes for Platforms
MiCA regulation stimulates the development of investment platforms and asset tokenization, setting transparent rules for utility tokens, ARTs, and EMTs. For businesses, this offers new opportunities for raising capital, entering international markets, and implementing innovative business models.
Opportunities for Fintech Startups and Businesses
MiCA for startups is a chance to quickly scale the business, using unified standards and passporting. For international companies, new markets open up, as do opportunities for business model migration and integration with the European financial ecosystem.
Business: Conclusions and Recommendations
Practical Steps for Preparing for MiCA | Errors to Avoid | ROI Metrics for MiCA Compliance Implementation |
---|---|---|
Conduct an audit of the business model and processes | Ignoring the transition period | Reduction in time to market |
Develop a compliance strategy | Underestimation of IT requirements | Increase in market reach |
Implement automated AML/KYC | Lack of internal control | Reduction in regulatory risks |
Prepare a document package for ČNB | Errors in information disclosure | Increased investor trust |
Use grandfathering for adaptation | Untimely policy updates | Savings in licensing |
Entrepreneur Questions, FAQ
- Licensing timelines, 3–8 months, cost depends on CASP class and service volume; unified standards allow for faster business model adaptation.
- Cybersecurity, incident resilience, monitoring automation, regular data backup, integration with AML/KYC systems.