🇮🇪 Ireland vs 🇪🇸 Spain: crypto licensing compared
Ireland and Spain 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 Spain it is the MiCA CASP Authorisation granted by the Comisión Nacional del Mercado de Valores (CNMV); Banco de España separately supervises stablecoin (ART/EMT) issuance under Comisión Nacional del Mercado de Valores (CNMV) - lead CASP authority; Banco de España co-supervises stablecoin issuers. The two regimes differ on 7 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 · Spain: verified 2026-07-02
| Dimension |
🇮🇪 Ireland
partly open
Verified 2026-07-03
|
🇪🇸 Spain
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 granted by the Comisión Nacional del Mercado de Valores (CNMV); Banco de España separately supervises stablecoin (ART/EMT) issuance |
| Regulator | Central Bank of Ireland (CBI) - sole competent authority; runs an Innovation Hub. Known as a demanding, gatekeeper-style regulator. | Comisión Nacional del Mercado de Valores (CNMV) - lead CASP authority; Banco de España co-supervises stablecoin issuers |
| Capital requirement | Ireland capital requirement is locked. Unlock with the £349 pass. | Spain capital requirement is locked. Unlock with the £349 pass. |
| Timeline to authorisation | Ireland timeline to authorisation is locked. Unlock with the £349 pass. | Spain timeline to authorisation is locked. Unlock with the £349 pass. |
| Local substance | Ireland local substance is locked. Unlock with the £349 pass. | Spain local substance is locked. Unlock with the £349 pass. |
| Application cost | Ireland application cost is locked. Unlock with the £349 pass. | Spain application cost is locked. Unlock with the £349 pass. |
| Ongoing cost | Ireland ongoing cost is locked. Unlock with the £349 pass. | Spain ongoing cost is locked. Unlock with the £349 pass. |
| Passporting | Ireland passporting is locked. Unlock with the £349 pass. | Spain passporting is locked. Unlock with the £349 pass. |
| MiCA CASPs approved | Ireland mica casps approved is locked. Unlock with the £349 pass. | Spain mica casps approved is locked. Unlock with the £349 pass. |
| Key restrictions | Ireland key restrictions is locked. Unlock with the £349 pass. | Spain 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. | By early 2026, CNMV had granted MiCA CASP licenses to six banks (BBVA, Cecabank, Openbank, Renta 4, CaixaBank and Kutxabank) plus five fintechs, reflecting a bank-led adoption pattern distinct from most other EEA jurisdictions; CNMV published updated MiCA Q&A guidance in Dec 2025 ahead of full application from 1 July 2026 |
| Difficulty rating | Ireland difficulty rating is locked. Unlock with the £349 pass. | Spain difficulty rating is locked. Unlock with the £349 pass. |
The two regimes differ on 7 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.
🇪🇸 Spain (verified 2026-07-02): By early 2026, CNMV had granted MiCA CASP licenses to six banks (BBVA, Cecabank, Openbank, Renta 4, CaixaBank and Kutxabank) plus five fintechs, reflecting a bank-led adoption pattern distinct from most other EEA jurisdictions; CNMV published updated MiCA Q&A guidance in Dec 2025 ahead of full application from 1 July 2026
Quick answers
Who regulates crypto licensing in Ireland and Spain?
Ireland: Central Bank of Ireland (CBI) - sole competent authority; runs an Innovation Hub. Known as a demanding, gatekeeper-style regulator.. Spain: Comisión Nacional del Mercado de Valores (CNMV) - lead CASP authority; Banco de España co-supervises stablecoin issuers.
What licence do you need in Ireland compared with Spain?
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 Spain it is MiCA CASP Authorisation granted by the Comisión Nacional del Mercado de Valores (CNMV); Banco de España separately supervises stablecoin (ART/EMT) issuance. The comparison table on this page lines the two up dimension by dimension.
Where can I see the full Ireland vs Spain 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-spain.
Informational only, not legal advice. Every open figure carries its own verification date; verify with qualified counsel before acting.