🇮🇪 Ireland vs 🇳🇱 Netherlands: crypto licensing compared
Ireland and Netherlands take recognisably different routes to crypto authorisation. In Ireland the route is the MiCA CASP authorisation granted by the Central Bank of Ireland; replaces the legacy VASP registration (CJA 2010, AML). No simplified VASP->CASP conversion - all applicants face the full process. overseen by Central Bank of Ireland (CBI) - sole competent authority; runs an Innovation Hub. Known as a demanding, gatekeeper-style regulator.; in Netherlands it is the MiCA CASP Authorisation (Crypto-Asset Service Provider), granted by AFM; DNB co-assesses fitness/propriety and AML for licence holders under Autoriteit Financiële Markten (AFM) - lead conduct regulator and licensing authority; De Nederlandsche Bank (DNB) supports with prudential/AML input. The two regimes differ on 6 of 9 tracked decision dimensions, including timeline to authorisation and local substance. The free columns below are open to everyone; the decision figures unlock with a pass, each one dated and sourced.
Ireland: verified 2026-07-03 · Netherlands: verified 2026-07-02
| Dimension |
🇮🇪 Ireland
partly open
Verified 2026-07-03
|
🇳🇱 Netherlands
partly open
Verified 2026-07-02
|
|---|---|---|
| Licence type | MiCA CASP authorisation granted by the Central Bank of Ireland; replaces the legacy VASP registration (CJA 2010, AML). No simplified VASP->CASP conversion - all applicants face the full process. | MiCA CASP Authorisation (Crypto-Asset Service Provider), granted by AFM; DNB co-assesses fitness/propriety and AML for licence holders |
| Regulator | Central Bank of Ireland (CBI) - sole competent authority; runs an Innovation Hub. Known as a demanding, gatekeeper-style regulator. | Autoriteit Financiële Markten (AFM) - lead conduct regulator and licensing authority; De Nederlandsche Bank (DNB) supports with prudential/AML input |
| Capital requirement | Ireland capital requirement is locked. Unlock with the £349 pass. | Netherlands capital requirement is locked. Unlock with the £349 pass. |
| Timeline to authorisation | Ireland timeline to authorisation is locked. Unlock with the £349 pass. | Netherlands timeline to authorisation is locked. Unlock with the £349 pass. |
| Local substance | Ireland local substance is locked. Unlock with the £349 pass. | Netherlands local substance is locked. Unlock with the £349 pass. |
| Application cost | Ireland application cost is locked. Unlock with the £349 pass. | Netherlands application cost is locked. Unlock with the £349 pass. |
| Ongoing cost | Ireland ongoing cost is locked. Unlock with the £349 pass. | Netherlands ongoing cost is locked. Unlock with the £349 pass. |
| Passporting | Ireland passporting is locked. Unlock with the £349 pass. | Netherlands passporting is locked. Unlock with the £349 pass. |
| MiCA CASPs approved | Ireland mica casps approved is locked. Unlock with the £349 pass. | Netherlands mica casps approved is locked. Unlock with the £349 pass. |
| Key restrictions | Ireland key restrictions is locked. Unlock with the £349 pass. | Netherlands key restrictions is locked. Unlock with the £349 pass. |
| Recent changes | Transitional period ended 30 Dec 2025 (12 months; simplified route declined). ~10 CASPs authorised by late 2025 (Kraken Jun 2025, Coinbase, StoneX 10th). Revised Consumer Protection Code from 24 Mar 2026. | Netherlands became one of the highest-volume MiCA jurisdictions through H1 2026 as the 1 July 2026 EU-wide transitional deadline approached; notable authorisations include Bitvavo, Amdax, MoonPay, Finst, Fiat Republic, and Banxa (Oct 2025); dedicated 'ARI10' authorisation added Feb 2026 per one tracker |
| Difficulty rating | Ireland difficulty rating is locked. Unlock with the £349 pass. | Netherlands difficulty rating is locked. Unlock with the £349 pass. |
The two regimes differ on 6 of 9 tracked decision dimensions, including timeline to authorisation and local substance. Unlock the pass to see each figure with its source and verification date.
What changed recently
🇮🇪 Ireland (verified 2026-07-01): Transitional period ended 30 Dec 2025 (12 months; simplified route declined). ~10 CASPs authorised by late 2025 (Kraken Jun 2025, Coinbase, StoneX 10th). Revised Consumer Protection Code from 24 Mar 2026.
🇳🇱 Netherlands (verified 2026-07-02): Netherlands became one of the highest-volume MiCA jurisdictions through H1 2026 as the 1 July 2026 EU-wide transitional deadline approached; notable authorisations include Bitvavo, Amdax, MoonPay, Finst, Fiat Republic, and Banxa (Oct 2025); dedicated 'ARI10' authorisation added Feb 2026 per one tracker
Quick answers
Who regulates crypto licensing in Ireland and Netherlands?
Ireland: Central Bank of Ireland (CBI) - sole competent authority; runs an Innovation Hub. Known as a demanding, gatekeeper-style regulator.. Netherlands: Autoriteit Financiële Markten (AFM) - lead conduct regulator and licensing authority; De Nederlandsche Bank (DNB) supports with prudential/AML input.
What licence do you need in Ireland compared with Netherlands?
In Ireland the authorisation route is MiCA CASP authorisation granted by the Central Bank of Ireland; replaces the legacy VASP registration (CJA 2010, AML). No simplified VASP->CASP conversion - all applicants face the full process.; in Netherlands it is MiCA CASP Authorisation (Crypto-Asset Service Provider), granted by AFM; DNB co-assesses fitness/propriety and AML for licence holders. The comparison table on this page lines the two up dimension by dimension.
Where can I see the full Ireland vs Netherlands comparison?
The interactive benchmark lets you pin either jurisdiction and add up to five peers; a Founder Pass or Pro subscription unlocks every gated figure with its source and verification date. This page stays free at /crypto/compare/ireland-vs-netherlands.
Informational only, not legal advice. Every open figure carries its own verification date; verify with qualified counsel before acting.