Lithuania is the premier gateway to the European crypto market. Establish your exchange or wallet service with legal certainty, robust compliance, and seamless EU integration.
Start Registration ProcessSince Estonia tightened its regulations, Lithuania has emerged as the most practical and legally sound jurisdiction in the EU for blockchain and cryptocurrency businesses.
Registering in Lithuania provides a credible footprint within the European Union. Operating under Lithuanian jurisdiction prepares you for the upcoming MiCA (Markets in Crypto-Assets) regulation framework.
The Lithuanian FCIS (Financial Crime Investigation Service) provides clear guidelines for Virtual Asset Service Providers (VASPs). To navigate this framework smoothly, obtaining a lithuania crypto license is the gold standard for global crypto startups.
Lithuania boasts a massive fintech talent pool, straightforward corporate laws, and a supportive central bank (Bank of Lithuania) that actively encourages financial innovation.
Lithuania operates on a notification-based authorization system managed by the FCIS. It covers two primary operational scopes for virtual assets.
This authorization allows your company to provide services where virtual currency is exchanged for fiat currency (fiat-to-crypto, crypto-to-fiat) or where one virtual currency is exchanged for another (crypto-to-crypto).
This permits your business to manage and store virtual currencies on behalf of your clients. It involves generating customer keys and keeping their encrypted assets secure.
Most enterprises apply for both authorizations simultaneously. This allows you to operate a full-fledged crypto exchange platform with integrated custodial wallet services for your user base.
To ensure market stability and prevent money laundering, Lithuania has introduced strict but clear operational requirements for all VASPs.
From initial consultation to operational readiness, the process generally takes 4 to 6 weeks if all documentation is prepared correctly.
Register a Lithuanian UAB (Private Limited Liability Company). Open a corporate bank or EMI account to deposit the required €125,000 share capital.
Draft robust Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorist Financing policies. Prepare detailed business plans, structural charts, and MLRO credentials.
Submit the complete application and notification to the Financial Crime Investigation Service (FNTT). The regulator reviews the MLRO and the company's internal controls.
Once approved, the company is added to the public register of Virtual Asset Service Providers, legally enabling you to commence global operations.
Lithuania offers a transparent and competitive tax environment for cryptocurrency enterprises.
The standard CIT rate is 15%. However, small companies with fewer than 10 employees and less than €300,000 in gross annual revenue may qualify for a reduced rate of 0% to 5%.
In accordance with EU Court of Justice rulings, the exchange of cryptocurrencies to fiat and vice versa is generally exempt from VAT. Other services may be subject to the standard 21% rate.
VASPs must maintain strict accounting records in accordance with Lithuanian Business Accounting Standards. Annual financial statements must be submitted to the State Enterprise Centre of Registers.
Request a free preliminary consultation with our legal experts. We handle company formation, MLRO recruitment, and FCIS registration.