RegAlert2026-03-23
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Estonia's Crypto Company Transition Period Ends 1 July
Finantsinspektsioon has mandated that all crypto asset service providers operating in Estonia must obtain a Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) licence by 1 July 2026 or cease operations. The regulator confirmed that the transition window is adequate for pending applications, but late submissions will be required to submit a client-protective wind-down plan instead. Firms exiting the market must securely manage client assets and transfer them to licensed providers to prevent unjustifiable financial harm.
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23/03/2026
Finantsinspektsioon has reminded providers of crypto asset services operating in Estonia that they will have to bring their activities into line with the terms of the European Union’s Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) Regulation by 1 July at the latest and get a licence from Finantsinspektsioon or cease their operations.
Companies providing crypto asset services can operate with a licence from the Financial Intelligence Unit as a provider of virtual currency services until 1 July this year. After that date, crypto asset services may only be provided in Estonia by companies with a licence from Finantsinspektsioon or the supervisory authority of another member state of the European Union. Member of the Finantsinspektsioon management board Gerd Laub said that the transition period has been long enough for everybody, and those who are interested in getting a licence have submitted their applications, but it will be difficult for new applicants to receive their licence by the deadline. “It is unlikely that the decision to issue or refuse the operating licence will be taken by the end of the transition period for those who have not yet submitted their licence application”, he said. He added that companies applying for a licence now or in the coming months will have to include with their application a plan for winding up their operations. Finantsinspektsioon can also require this if needed from companies whose applications are already being processed. Finantsinspektsioon is currently processing 10 applications for licences to provide crypto asset services.
If a company providing services in crypto assets wants to cease doing so, it must organise this in a way that protects the interests of clients and does not cause them unjustifiable financial harm. Providers of crypto asset services must think through how they will ensure that client assets are handled securely and if necessary must transfer them to another licensed service provider. Finantsinspektsioon has published a memo on this, which can be found here
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Source: Estonian Financial Supervision Authority — original document · Summary generated with machine assistance and reviewed before publication; the authoritative text is the regulator's original document. How RegAlert works