Crypto License
Licensing for virtual asset service providers under Albania’s dedicated crypto regulatory framework — exchange, custody and issuance activities.
Albania’s Dedicated Crypto Regulatory Framework
Albania was an early mover among Balkan jurisdictions in regulating virtual assets, adopting a dedicated legal framework for financial markets based on distributed ledger technology, with licensing and supervision handled by Albania’s Financial Supervisory Authority (AFSA). Operating an exchange, custody service, or token issuance business without the required license isn’t a grey area — it’s operating outside a framework that specifically exists to cover this activity.
Albania For Business Sh.p.k. supports crypto and virtual asset businesses through the licensing process — determining the right license category for your activity, preparing the application and AML program, and managing the regulatory relationship through to a granted license and beyond.
LICENSING
CRYPTO LICENSE APPLICATION
fixed service fee
PACKAGE OF CRYPTO LICENSE APPLICATION INCLUDES:
- Eligibility assessment for your specific virtual-asset activity
- Determination of the correct license category for your business model
- Preparation of the license application and supporting documentation
- AML/CFT program drafting to meet licensing requirements
- Fit-and-proper documentation for directors and beneficial owners
- Liaison with the Albanian Financial Supervisory Authority (AFSA) throughout review
- Response management for regulator information requests
- Post-licensing compliance setup guidance
License Categories
Albania’s framework distinguishes between different types of virtual-asset activity, and the category you need depends on your specific business model:
| Category | Typical Activity |
|---|---|
| Exchange platform | Operating a platform for exchanging virtual assets for fiat currency or other virtual assets |
| Custodian wallet provider | Holding, safeguarding or administering virtual assets or the means of accessing them on behalf of clients |
| Virtual asset issuer | Issuing a new virtual asset to the public, including token/ICO-style offerings |
Some businesses need more than one category — for example, a platform that both exchanges and custodies assets. We confirm which category or combination applies to your specific model.
What the Regulator Requires
- Minimum capital appropriate to the license category and scale of activity — the specific amount must be confirmed against current AFSA requirements for your category.
- Fit-and-proper directors and beneficial owners, including background and source-of-funds checks.
- A documented AML/CFT (anti-money-laundering / countering the financing of terrorism) program appropriate to virtual-asset risk.
- A registered local presence in Albania, generally including a genuine operational capability, not just a nominal address.
- IT systems and security arrangements appropriate to safeguarding client assets and data.
- Ongoing reporting obligations to AFSA once licensed, alongside standard corporate and tax compliance.
Virtual-asset regulation is an actively developing area globally, and Albania’s specific capital thresholds, category definitions and procedural requirements should be verified directly against the current AFSA framework before this page is published or relied upon for a specific application. Do not quote specific capital figures to a client without independent verification.
Crypto Licensing, Step by Step
- Eligibility & category assessment — we confirm which license category (or categories) your business model requires.
- Corporate & AML structuring — your company structure and AML/CFT program are built to meet the licensing standard.
- Application & documentation prepared — the full application package is prepared to AFSA’s requirements.
- Filing with AFSA — the application is formally submitted to the regulator.
- Regulatory review & responses — we manage any information requests or clarifications raised during review.
- License granted & compliance setup — once granted, we help set up the ongoing reporting your license requires.
What We Need From You
- A description of your business model — exchange, custody, issuance, or a combination.
- Details of your ownership and management structure, including all individuals subject to fit-and-proper review.
- Your planned capitalisation and evidence of source of funds.
- Any existing licenses or regulatory history in other jurisdictions.
- Technical documentation of your platform or systems, where relevant to the application.
Fee Schedule — Additional & Ongoing Services
Beyond the fixed package above, the following services are priced individually. Your adviser confirms an exact quotation once your structure, nationality and banking preference are known.
| Service | Indicative Fee |
|---|---|
| Crypto license application — single category (as above) | €3,000 fixed service fee |
| Additional license category (combined application) | from €1,500 |
| AML/CFT program drafting (standalone) | from €800 |
| Ongoing compliance monitoring (monthly) | from €400 / month |
| License renewal support | from €1,000 |
| IT systems / security audit coordination | quoted individually |
| Regulatory response support (post-licensing enquiry) | quoted individually, typically hourly |
The AML/CFT program is not paperwork you draft once and file away — virtual-asset activity attracts a materially higher level of ongoing regulatory scrutiny than most licensed sectors, and a weak or template-driven program is one of the more common reasons an application stalls or a licensed business runs into trouble later. It’s worth treating this as a genuine operational program your business will run, not a document written to satisfy a checklist.