{"id":8288,"date":"2026-02-06T15:13:36","date_gmt":"2026-02-06T15:13:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/legalbison.com\/?p=8288"},"modified":"2026-03-06T06:23:19","modified_gmt":"2026-03-06T06:23:19","slug":"5-reasons-why-ireland-is-the-top-ico-country-in-the-esma-register","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/legalbison.com\/en-kr\/blog\/5-reasons-why-ireland-is-the-top-ico-country-in-the-esma-register\/","title":{"rendered":"5 Reasons Why Ireland Is the Top ICO Country in the ESMA Register (MiCA)"},"content":{"rendered":"

The implementation of the Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (MiCA) has created a seismic shift in the European digital asset landscape. For the first time, crypto-assets are governed by a unified rulebook across 27 member states, replacing a patchwork of national laws with a single, harmonious framework. Central to this new regime is the concept of the “Home Member State”, the jurisdiction where a project chooses to submit its White Paper and anchor its compliance.<\/p>\n

As the dust settles and the Interim MiCA Register<\/strong> begins to populate, one trend has become undeniably clear: Ireland has emerged as a dominant force. A review of the current filings (visible in the OTHER.csv dataset) reveals a disproportionately high volume of white paper notifications submitted to the Central Bank of Ireland (CBI)<\/strong> compared to other National Competent Authorities.<\/p>\n

From global giants like Kraken (operating as Payward Global Solutions) to innovative foundations like VeChain and Moonwell, the industry is voting with its feet. But why Ireland? Why are so many projects choosing Dublin over Paris, Frankfurt, or Vilnius?<\/p>\n

1. The “CASP Gravity Well”: Home to the World\u2019s Biggest Exchanges<\/h3>\n

The most immediate reason for Ireland’s prominence in the ESMA Register is the presence of major Crypto-Asset Service Providers (CASPs). Under MiCA, the obligation to publish a white paper typically falls on the issuer. However, if the issuer is not established in the EU, or has not published a white paper for an older asset, the responsibility shifts to the trading platform (the CASP) that wishes to list the token.<\/p>\n

The register reveals that Payward Global Solutions LTD<\/strong> (trading as Kraken) has submitted a massive volume of white papers to the Central Bank of Ireland for assets ranging from Solana (SOL)<\/strong> and Cardano (ADA)<\/strong> to Dogecoin<\/strong> and Optimism<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

This phenomenon creates a “gravity well.” Because major exchanges like Kraken and Coinbase have chosen Ireland as their European regulatory hub, they have established deep lines of communication with the Central Bank of Ireland. For a new crypto entrepreneur, this is a crucial commercial signal. If the entities responsible for the liquidity of the entire market feel comfortable navigating Irish regulations for hundreds of assets, it validates the jurisdiction\u2019s operational efficiency.<\/p>\n

Launching your token in the same jurisdiction where major CASPs are domiciled can streamline the listing process. The regulatory expectations are aligned, and the legal language used in your white paper will be familiar to the compliance teams of these top-tier exchanges.<\/p>\n

For more on how exchanges and issuers interact under this framework, visit our guide on <\/em>MiCA Token Issuance<\/em><\/a><\/span>.<\/em><\/p>\n

2. The Strategic Gateway for Non-EU Issuers<\/h3>\n

MiCA mandates that to offer a crypto-asset to the public in the EU, the offeror must be a legal person. However, the crypto industry is global. Many of the most prominent projects are established in offshore jurisdictions like the British Virgin Islands (BVI), the Cayman Islands, or Singapore.<\/p>\n

The ESMA register shows that Ireland is the preferred “bridge” for these non-EU entities. For example:<\/p>\n