Updated: Feb, 25 2026

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Crypto License
8 minutes

Guide to Establish Your DeFi Under MiCA in 2026

As the July 2026 deadline for MiCA transition approaches, the legal boundary between regulated service providers and "fully decentralized" protocols has become the primary survival factor for crypto projects in the EU. This article explores the technical and legal benchmarks required to claim the Recital 22 exemption and navigate the rigorous new standards for CASP licensing.
Guide to Establish Your DeFi Under MiCA in 2026 image
Anastasia Marchenko photo
Anastasia Marchenko Legal Researcher at LegalBison
Crypto License
8 minutes

MiCA vs. VARA Comparison for Crypto-Asset Service Providers in 2026

The "crypto wild west" has officially been replaced by a map of sophisticated, high-stakes borders. As 2026 unfolds, founders must decide between the massive retail reach of the EU’s MiCA framework and the specialized, tech-first agility of Dubai’s VARA. This guide navigates the "hard stops" and strategic trade-offs of the modern regulatory landscape to help you plant your flag in the right territory.
MiCA vs. VARA Comparison for Crypto-Asset Service Providers in 2026 image
Anastasia Marchenko photo
Anastasia Marchenko Legal Researcher at LegalBison
Crypto License
8 minutes

What Is Passporting Under MiCA? EU Crypto License Explained

The concept of passporting is the "holy grail" for crypto entrepreneurs looking to scale. In the 2026 regulatory landscape, understanding this mechanism is the difference between a fragmented, high-cost operation and a streamlined European powerhouse.
What Is Passporting Under MiCA? EU Crypto License Explained image
Adrien Marchand photo
Adrien Marchand Associate at LegalBison
Crypto License
8 minutes

Can I Get a MiCA CASP License Without EU Residency?

The European Union’s Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (MiCA) has created the world’s first comprehensive framework for crypto assets. For international entrepreneurs, this represents a massive opportunity to access 450 million consumers with a single license. However, a common question arises for founders based in Dubai, Singapore, or the United States: can you obtain this license without living in Europe?
Can I Get a MiCA CASP License Without EU Residency? image
Adrien Marchand photo
Adrien Marchand Associate at LegalBison
Crypto License
8 minutes

Can You Operate Crypto Services in the EU Without a CASP License?

As the MiCA transitional window closes in 2026, crypto entrepreneurs must distinguish between regulated services and those falling outside the mandatory licensing perimeter. Understanding these specific exemptions is essential for maintaining operational agility and avoiding the heavy compliance burden of a full Crypto-Asset Service Provider (CASP) authorization.
Can You Operate Crypto Services in the EU Without a CASP License? image
Crypto License
8 minutes

MiCA White Paper Errors: Common Mistakes, Legal Risks & How to Fix Them

In the pre-regulation era of 2017, a mistake in a crypto white paper was often fixed with a quick website edit and a tweet. Those days are over. Under the full application of the Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (MiCA), your white paper is more than a marketing deck, it's now a binding legal prospectus.
MiCA White Paper Errors: Common Mistakes, Legal Risks & How to Fix Them image
Adrien Marchand photo
Adrien Marchand Associate at LegalBison
Crypto License
8 minutes

Which MiCA License Class Applies to My Crypto Business?

For crypto entrepreneurs entering the European Union, the Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (MiCA) introduces a rigorous authorization framework. A critical first step in your compliance journey is determining which "class" of license applies to your business model. This classification dictates your initial capital requirements, your governance obligations, and the complexity of your application.
Which MiCA License Class Applies to My Crypto Business? image
Adrien Marchand photo
Adrien Marchand Associate at LegalBison
Crypto License
8 minutes

MiCA Poland: KNF confirms upcoming legal block for Polish crypto companies in July 2026

In our previous analysis, we covered the evolution of the situation in Poland regarding the Crypto Asset Market Act. Now, the Polish Financial Supervision Authority (KNF) has issued an official position paper clarifying the rules of engagement during this legal vacuum. The message is clear: existing companies have a safety net, but it comes with a hard, non-negotiable deadline.
MiCA Poland: KNF confirms upcoming legal block for Polish crypto companies in July 2026 image
Aaron Glauberman photo
Aaron Glauberman Partner at LegalBison
Crypto License
8 minutes

7 Reasons Why Malta is Great for Crypto Exchange Platform

Malta has solidified its status as a premier hub for digital assets by seamlessly blending years of regulatory experience with the new EU-wide MiCA standards. From strategic "passporting" access across 27 countries to a highly competitive 5% effective tax rate, the island offers a mature ecosystem designed for the long-term success of crypto trading platforms.
7 Reasons Why Malta is Great for Crypto Exchange Platform image
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