🇮🇪 Crypto licence in Ireland

The regime

The Central Bank of Ireland grants MiCA CASP authorisation. Dublin's funds-industry base, common-law system and concentration of US tech headquarters have made Ireland a favoured EU entry point for US-headquartered firms seeking a passportable licence.

Ireland previously ran a VASP registration regime (AML-only, from 2021) under which several global exchanges registered; those firms either upgraded to full CASP authorisation or seated their MiCA licence elsewhere in the EU.

Requirements

• CASP authorisation from the Central Bank of Ireland under MiCA (Regulation (EU) 2023/1114) — one licence covering exchange, custody, brokerage, transfer and advisory services.
• Minimum own funds: €50,000 (Class 1 — reception/transmission of orders, advice, transfers), €125,000 (Class 2 — adds custody and exchange against funds) or €150,000 (Class 3 — operating a trading platform).
• Substance in Ireland: a registered office, effective management in the EU and at least one EU-resident director.
• Safeguarding: segregation of client crypto-assets and client funds from the firm's own book, with a custody policy.
• AML/CTF: EU framework compliance including Travel Rule originator/beneficiary data under the Transfer of Funds Regulation.
• Operational resilience: governance, conflicts, complaints, outsourcing and ICT-risk (DORA) arrangements sized to the service classes sought.

Licensed firms

Notable names in the Irish regime:

• Kraken — authorised as a CASP by the Central Bank of Ireland in 2025
• Ripple — registered as a VASP with the Central Bank pre-MiCA
• Coinbase — held Irish VASP registration but seated its MiCA licence in Luxembourg

Snapshot, not the register: verify current status against Central Bank registers before relying on it.

Why do US crypto firms choose Ireland?

Language, common-law familiarity, an existing base of US tech and fund operations, and a regulator experienced with cross-border financial services. One Irish CASP authorisation passports to all 27 EU states.

How do I verify a firm is authorised in Ireland?

Check the Central Bank of Ireland's public register or ESMA's interim MiCA register. A CASP authorised anywhere in the EU may passport into Ireland, so a firm serving Ireland legally may hold its licence from another member state.