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Crypto license in Estonia

Support in the issuance of Estonia crypto license with a guarantee of a turnkey contract.

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Estonia is a favorable and friendly country for various virtual currency-related activities. In a relatively short period, the country has gained a reputation as a "cryptocurrency haven" thanks to its progressive legislation. It is the first country in the EU to regulate cryptocurrency companies. In the last 5 years, many entrepreneurs, exchanges, and exchangers have opened physical offices in the country, and more than 2,000 businesses have received a cryptocurrency license.

Most entrepreneurs choose Estonia for crypto-related business activities, IEOs, ICOs, IDOs, moreover, they scale their businesses here. The number of active entrepreneurs is growing steadily. Despite legislative changes in 2021, the Estonian cryptocurrency license is affordable compared to other countries. After all, the demanding nature of the legislation is not even a disadvantage, but a significant market advantage. Today, virtual currencies are controlled exactly like fiat money. They have been legalized and put on a par with alternative means of payment, which is an advantage compared to countries where cryptocurrencies operate in a “gray area”. Estonia has been recognized as an alternative to jurisdictions in Malta and Switzerland due to its favorable legal environment for regulating cryptocurrency activities, attractive tax policies, and reduced licensing costs.

Cryptocurrency license requirements

According to the latest amendment to the Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorist Financing Act, all operating crypto businesses, as well as those applying for a license, must provide the regulator with all necessary documentation, open a physical office and provide local management. A license for a virtual value service provider is issued by the Estonian Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU). The company data, the license number, and information about the person in charge of monitoring compliance with the requirements are publicly available in the electronic version of the register. Once registered, a crypto company is granted Financial Institution (FI) status. Following the introduction of the new legislation, several types of licenses have merged into one called "Virtual Asset Service Provider". It covers the following types of cryptocurrency activities:

Crypto exchange

Allows the firm to exchange digital currency into FIAT or vice versa, as well as cryptocurrency into cryptocurrency for a fee.

Crypto wallet and custodial services

Maintenance of cold and online wallets for cryptocurrency storage, creation of encrypted client keys, as well as for their storage.

Service packages for registration of Estonia crypto license

Choose the best package of services for obtaining a crypto activity license in Estonia

BASIC

Entire assistance with formation and license acquisition

€ 6990

Set-up fee

€ 25 /month

Maintenance fee

Dedicated consultant with the fully provided individual approach
Full turnkey company formation assistance
Company name of your choice
Share capital registration
Share capital shall be paid only by monetary contribution
Virtual box
Draft of AML/KYC Policy
Assistance with payemnt of state fee
State fee is € 3300 and not included in the package
Corporate documents
Full set of apostilled and sworn translated corporate documents (articles and memorandum of association, registry card, etc.)
Corporate account
Local Office
Local AML Officer
Local Management Board Member

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EXTENDED

Bank Account for operating activity

€ 7990

Set-up fee

€ 25 /month

Maintenance fee

Dedicated consultant with the fully provided individual approach
Full turnkey company formation assistance
Company name of your choice
Share capital registration
Share capital shall be paid only by monetary contribution
Virtual box
AML/KYC Policy
Assistance with payemnt of state fee
State fee is € 3300 and not included in the package
Corporate documents
Full set of apostilled and sworn translated corporate documents (articles and memorandum of association, registry card, etc.)
Corporate account
Local Office
Local AML Officer
Local Management Board Member

Order now

FULL

Full support including physical presence

€ 8990

Set-up fee

from € 2000 /month

Maintenance fee

Dedicated consultant with the fully provided individual approach
Full turnkey company formation assistance
Company name of your choice
Share capital registration
Share capital shall be paid only by monetary contribution
Virtual box
AML/KYC Policy
Assistance with payemnt of state fee
State fee is € 3300 and not included in the package
Corporate documents
Full set of apostilled and sworn translated corporate documents (articles and memorandum of association, registry card, etc.)
Corporate account
Local Office
Local AML Officer
Local Management Board Member

Order now

Please note: the Estonian Ministry of Finance submitted for discussion a draft law on changes to the legislation on virtual asset operations. It is expected that the ability to conduct operations will become stricter in the coming months (e.g., increasing the share capital to 100-250 thousand euros; requirements for a sworn auditor, etc.).

Alternative solution

Price

Duration

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Process and Timeline

After 5 months (approx.) license will be obtained and another 2-3 weeks will be required for the license holder to be fully operative

Stage 1

Company registration

2-3 weeks

Result

Process

The company is registered. Local director is assigned and employed to the company. Corporate account is open.

Collecting preliminary set of the documents from the Client side:

1.An up-to-date copy of the passport of the country of residence (scan)
2.A business model of the company (brief description 1-2 A4 pages)
3.Preferred company name is provided
4.Budgets and scope of the project are approved according to the initial workshop
5.Gofaizen & Sherle operational department has drafted PoA and shared it with the Client along with further steps

Company formation:

1.Upon the documents (hard copies) receipt on hands by Estonian office, the sworn translation to Estonian language is conducted
2.The notary deal is arranged and conducted; company entry appears in the commercial register after 5 days
3.Set of corporate documents has been prepared
4.Corporate account is open
5.Client has transferred share capital to the company

Stage 2

Pre-licensing

2-3 weeks

Result

Process

Company is in compliance with Estonian VASP requirements. AML/KYC policy is drafted and employees have prepared.

Preparation of legal, financial and IT documents (non exhaustive list)

1.Description of the company structure
2.Compliance documentation (AML/KYC/KYT)
3.Business plan, financial documentation and forecasts
4.Description of technical solutions used
5.Internal control procedures

Establishing relationship with partners and employees

1.Hiring an AML Officer and other employees
2.Finding premises and concluding a rental agreement
3.Concluding preliminary agreements with other partners (liquidity providers, KYC/KYT solutions, custody solutions, etc.)
4.Staff training

Stage 3

Licensing

2-3 months

Result

Process

The company has obtained VASP license and is ready for providing virtual currency services

Submitting application for the license

1.Preparation of application
2.Collection of additional documentation as required by the regulator
3.Establishing contact with regulator

Support in licensing process

1.Negotiations with the regulator
2.Clarification of business model and policies established
3.Documents amendment and providing of additional information

Stage 4

MAINTENANCE

Optional

All the necessary arrangements for the company are completed; VASP license holder fully operative.

This stage is necessary to support and maintain the structure and may include:

1.Full set of notarised corporate documents (Register Card, AoA, MoA) for account opening
2.Internal Control services
3.Accountant with experience in crypto field
4.Assistance with customers compliants

1.Audit of AML/KYC procedures
2.Employees periodic training
3.Representation when supervision by regulator
4.Preparation of legal opinions

Requirments

Advantages

Additional services

Company shall have a corporate account opened at Estonian Bank or at a European Payment Institution with the right to provide services in Estonia

Minimum share capital of Estonian VASP company shall be 12000 EUR

Company needs to have a physical office in Estonia with the necessary equipment

At least 1 board member has to be a resident, physically located in the country, and take part in the activities of the company

All the major actors of the company (Shareholders, Directors, key employees) must be in good standing. To prove that, they are required to provide the regulator with certificates of no criminal record in the country of citizenship

Company shall have and follow their AML/KYC policy, risk control, and monitoring rules

The VASP company in Estonia shall be maintaining and storing client data that can be provided to the regulator if necessary

Company is obliged to regularly collect KYC (customer due diligence) data of the clients

Company’s directors and AML officer shall have profile education, skills, and experience in cryptocurrency activities of company employees

The legalization of cryptocurrency activities in a legal state

The cost of registration is significantly lower than in the US, Switzerland, UK

Attractive tax policy

Estonia is a leader in digitalization and IT

2-3 months from application to license

Protection and regulation on equal terms with financial institutions

High level of customer confidence through high reputation in the cryptocurrency market

The well-developed banking system

Help and support from the regulator

Accounting services. As per governmental regulations, each entity registered in Estonia, as well as Virtual Asset Service Providers, has reporting obligations.

Trademark registration

Tax advisory on the business model

VAT number acquisition

White Label solutions

Requirments

Opportunities