VASP Registration: What You Need to Know

When working with VASP registration, the formal process of becoming a licensed Virtual Asset Service Provider under applicable regulations. Also known as Virtual Asset Service Provider registration, it ensures you can offer crypto‑related services like exchange, custody, or payment processing without breaking the law. A core piece of this puzzle is MiCA, the EU’s Markets in Crypto‑Assets Regulation that defines licensing, capital, and consumer‑protection standards for VASPs. MiCA also introduces the EU passport, letting a VASP approved in one member state operate across the whole bloc. Understanding how these elements fit together is the first step to a smooth launch.

Key Concepts That Shape VASP Registration

The EU passport, a cross‑border authorization that lets a compliant VASP provide services in any EU country once it’s registered in its home jurisdiction removes the need for separate licenses in each market. Automatic exchange of crypto tax information, an OECD‑driven framework (CARF) that automatically shares tax‑relevant data between participating jurisdictions, adds another layer of compliance. It means that once you’re registered, you must also set up proper reporting pipelines to satisfy tax authorities worldwide. Together, these three pillars—MiCA rules, the EU passport, and tax data exchange—create a network of obligations that shape every operational decision, from AML/KYC tooling to cross‑border payment routing.

In practice, VASP registration starts with a detailed self‑assessment: do you meet the minimum capital thresholds, have robust governance, and can you support ongoing supervisory reporting? After filing the application, regulators will scrutinize your AML/KYC processes, risk‑management framework, and the technology stack you use to monitor transactions. Once approved, you’ll receive the EU passport, unlocking market access while still adhering to the automatic exchange of crypto tax information requirements. The next sections of this page list articles that walk you through each stage—MiCA compliance checklists, passport‑safeguard best practices, and step‑by‑step guides for setting up tax‑reporting feeds—so you can move from theory to a fully licensed service quickly.