CASP Crypto License in Hungary

Hungary is aligning its national regulations with the EU’s Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (MiCA), which came into full effect on 30 December 2024. All businesses offering crypto-related services in Hungary or across the EU are now required to obtain a Crypto-Asset Service Provider (CASP) licence. Licensing and supervision are conducted by the National Bank of Hungary (Magyar Nemzeti Bank – MNB), which is implementing the MiCA framework alongside Hungary’s existing AML legislation.

Why choose Hungary?

• Favorable tax regime – Hungary offers the lowest corporate tax rate in the EU (9%), with crypto activities exempt from VAT
• Regulatory clarity – MNB provides clear guidelines for licensing, including requirements for capital, AML, and governance
• Central European gateway – Hungary’s strategic location allows fast expansion into both Western and Eastern Europe
• EU-wide passporting – A Hungarian CASP licence grants the right to operate throughout the entire EU without additional approvals

Services requiring a CASP licence

Under MiCA, companies offering any of the following must hold a valid licence:

• Crypto-to-fiat and crypto-to-crypto exchange
• Custody and wallet services
• Execution and transmission of client orders
• Operation of a crypto-asset trading platform
• Placement, distribution, or advice on crypto-assets
• Lending or other financial services involving crypto-assets

Key licensing requirements

• Company registration – Hungarian limited liability company (Kft) with registered address in Hungary
• Capital thresholds –
• €50,000 for advisory and order transmission services
• €125,000 for custody and exchange activities
• €150,000+ for trading platform operations
• Reputation & fitness – Clean criminal records and documented professional experience in finance, compliance, or IT for directors and beneficial owners
• AML/KYC policies – Full compliance with AML5 Directive and Hungarian AML law, including onboarding, risk assessments, transaction monitoring, and reporting
• IT & cybersecurity infrastructure – Operational resilience, business continuity plans, and incident reporting systems must be documented and secure
• Compliance team – Appointment of MLRO and designated compliance officer; can be partially outsourced

Application process & timeline

• Pre-licensing consultation with the MNB is recommended
• Submission of a full application under MiCA Article 62
• MNB reviews completeness (25 business days) and then makes a decision (40 business days)
• Estimated end-to-end timeframe: 4–6 months depending on readiness and document quality

Ongoing obligations

• Maintain minimum capital at all times
• Submit annual reports, audits, and compliance updates to MNB
• File suspicious activity reports with the Hungarian FIU within 24 hours
• Retain customer and transaction data for at least five years
• Meet MiCA’s market integrity and consumer protection standards

How Demire Inc supports your CASP launch in Hungary

• Full company incorporation (Kft) with local address and registry support
• MiCA-compliant documentation: business plan, AML/KYC manuals, ICT/security policies
• Assistance with compliance officer recruitment or outsourcing
• Application preparation and submission to MNB
• Post-licensing compliance support, including reporting, audits, and supervisory liaison

Ready to operate your crypto business from Hungary with full EU reach?
Demire Inc will guide you through every step of the licensing process to ensure full MiCA compliance and sustainable growth