MiCA CASP authorisation in Ireland (Central Bank of Ireland)

At a glance

• Regulator: Central Bank of Ireland
• Typical timeline: ~6 to 12 months, pre-application heavy
• Transitional deadline: Closed (12-month window ended around 30 December 2025)
• Fees: No standalone MiCA fee published; sits within the Central Bank’s industry funding levy
• CASPs authorised so far: ~11
• Pre-MiCA experience: VASP AML registration

As of June 2026; figures drift and transitional dates trace to the ESMA grandfathering list. Capital is set EU-wide by service class (€50,000 / €125,000 / €150,000), not by country. Compare member states on the jurisdiction comparison and confirm exact dates on the deadlines page.

Why teams look at Ireland

Ireland is a common European base for international and US-headquartered firms: English-speaking, common-law, in the EU and the euro area, with an established financial-services workforce. Several large crypto platforms already run European hubs from Dublin. Under MiCA’s crypto-asset service provider regime, applying from 30 December 2024, the Central Bank of Ireland is the authorising authority.

The Central Bank is methodical and substance-focused. Ireland suits firms that want an English-language process and a respected regulator, and that can demonstrate genuine local operations.

This page is informational and does not replace legal, regulatory, or tax advice. Confirm current requirements, forms, fees, and timelines directly with the Central Bank of Ireland before acting.

The authorisation route

A firm that is not already an EU-authorised financial entity applies to the Central Bank for authorisation as a CASP under Article 62. A firm already authorised under EU financial law can use the lighter Article 60 notification.

Under Article 63 the Central Bank has 25 working days to confirm completeness and then 40 working days to decide once the file is complete. The Central Bank expects substantive pre-application engagement and a well-evidenced submission, so preparing the file is the long part.

What the Central Bank expects

Capital and the Article 67 question

The minimum is 50,000 euro, 125,000 euro, or 150,000 euro depending on the services you are authorised for, or one quarter of the previous year’s fixed overheads if higher. If you are weighing insurance against capital, build the evidence first: see the CASP insurance evidence pack and own funds vs insurance.

Coming from a VASP registration

Firms registered as virtual-asset service providers under Ireland’s anti-money-laundering regime do not convert automatically to a CASP authorisation. They transition onto MiCA through a process the Central Bank manages. If you hold a VASP registration, confirm the current cut-off date and the exact transition steps with the Central Bank.

Transitional dates have moved at the member-state level. Confirm any date against current Central Bank guidance before planning around it.

Substance is the test

Ireland’s process rewards firms that can show real operations, not a brass plate. The strongest files pair genuine local management with a clean custody and controls story and prudential safeguards backed by evidence.