Ireland
Overview
Ireland registered virtual-asset service providers for AML purposes from 2021, supervised by the Central Bank of Ireland (CBI). Under MiCA the CBI is the national competent authority authorising CASPs, and the earlier VASP registration route is legacy.
Ireland does not publish a fixed CASP application tariff. The Central Bank's industry levy applies, but at the 24 October 2026 check there was no dedicated CASP levy category in the published instruments. Budget the regulatory fee separately from the application work and confirm the current levy treatment with the Central Bank.
Regulatory framework
MiCA (Regulation (EU) 2023/1114) is directly applicable, supported by the Irish implementing regulations (SI 607/2024). The Central Bank authorises and supervises CASPs through its Gateway process; financial instruments remain in the MiFID II perimeter.
Third-country firms can use the MiCA Article 60 route only for services at the client's own initiative; reverse solicitation is narrow. An Irish authorisation passports across the EEA after the Article 62 notification.
Licensing & authorisation
Route and clock. Apply to the Central Bank (MiCA Arts 62–63). The authority acknowledges within 5 working days, assesses completeness within 25 working days and decides within 40 working days of a complete file; the clock stops for information requests. The Gateway process adds a practical pre-application and completeness stage; the statutory clock is not an end-to-end promise.
Charges. No published CASP application fee was identified at the 24 October 2026 check. The Central Bank's industry levy applies, with no dedicated CASP levy category published at that date. Confirm the current levy and any application charge with the Central Bank before filing; do not budget from consultant ranges.
Own funds. MiCA Art 67 and Annex IV set the minimum at €50,000 (Class 1), €125,000 (Class 2) or €150,000 (Class 3), plus one quarter of the previous year's fixed overheads, held continuously. The class follows the services authorised.
Substance and passport. MiCA Art 59 requires the registered office and head office in Ireland. Plan for an Irish entity, Irish-resident management, a local AML officer and outsourcing/ICT arrangements that meet Central Bank and DORA expectations. Once authorised, notify under Art 62 to passport into the EEA.
AML & Travel Rule
The EU Transfer of Funds Regulation (TFR, (EU) 2023/1113) has applied since 30 December 2024. CASP-to-CASP transfers must carry originator and beneficiary information from the first euro; transfers to or from self-hosted wallets above €1,000 require verification of the counterparty.
The Central Bank supervises AML/CFT; suspicious transaction reports go to FIU Ireland. DORA has applied since 17 January 2025, and the EU AML Regulation (AMLR) applies from 10 July 2027.
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