Regulatory AlertsKosovo: crypto & digital assets regulation
RegulatedCBK licenses VASPs under 2025 Regulation; no specific capital for custody/token issuance
- Lead regulator
- Central Bank of the Republic of Kosovo (CBK)
- Also involved
- Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) · Ministry of Finance
- Core law
- Regulation on Licensing of Crypto-Assets Service Operators Providing Exchange Services (2025)
- Entry capital
- EUR 125,000 (Exchange Services)
- Approval timeline
- —
- Customer assets
- —
- Data protection
- Law No. 05/L-053 on Personal Data Protection · Agency for Personal Data Protection
- Sandbox
- No
Kosovo has established a targeted licensing regime for crypto-asset service operators (CASOs), specifically those providing exchange services. The Central Bank of the Republic of Kosovo (CBK) is the primary supervisor, enforcing strict AML/CFT standards and fit-and-proper requirements. While the CBK actively engages in regional and international dialogues on digital money and financial stability, the statutory framework currently focuses on exchange activities, leaving other crypto-asset activities in a regulatory gray area or unregulated.
Which licence do you need?
| Your activity | Requirement | Capital | Timeline | Authority |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Exchange / trading platform | LicenceCASO License (Exchange Services)[1] Covers fiat conversion and P2P crypto swaps | EUR 125,000 | — | CBK |
| Custody of client assets | Uncertainverify with regulator No specific custody license defined in current regulation | — | — | — |
| Token issuance / public offering | Uncertainverify with regulator No specific issuance regime identified | — | — | — |
| Broker-dealer / OTC desk | Uncertainverify with regulator Not explicitly covered by exchange regulation | — | — | — |
| Stablecoin issuance | Uncertainverify with regulator No specific stablecoin framework | — | — | — |
| Crypto payments acceptance | Uncertainverify with regulator Crypto payments not explicitly regulated | — | — | — |
| Mining / staking services | Unregulated No licensing requirement for mining/staking | — | — | — |
| Advisory / portfolio management | Uncertainverify with regulator Advisory services not explicitly covered | — | — | — |
New — what changed recently
- 2025-08-29Regulation on Licensing of Crypto-Assets Service Operators Providing Exchange Services — CBK mandated licensing for exchange services with a EUR 125,000 capital floor and fit-and-proper management requirements.[1]
Market-entry checklist
- 1Secure EUR 125,000 capitalEnsure minimum capital is available for exchange service licensing.
- 2Appoint fit-and-proper managementDemonstrate management integrity and expertise to the CBK.
- 3Implement robust AML/CFT systemsAlign with CBK and FIU requirements for anti-money laundering controls.
- 4Register with the Agency for Personal Data ProtectionComply with Law No. 05/L-053 for data handling and privacy.