Kentucky (KY)
Money transmission and virtual currency licensing planning data for Kentucky.
Population weight (planning): 1.33% · Back to matrix · Launch map
How to read this page: confirmed cells are checked against a primary regulatory source and dated. Under review marks a cell where primary sources conflict or a figure awaits confirmation.
MTL required
Yes. KRS 286.11 defines money transmission broadly enough to cover a fiat/virtual currency exchange, confirmed by the department's own 2022 guidance. A narrow 2025 exemption for blockchain-protocol software and crypto-to-crypto activity does not reach a custodial fiat on/off ramp like this scenario.
Verified 2026-07-16. Source
Fiat treatment
Money transmission means receiving money or monetary value, redefined by a 2025 amendment to reference a medium of exchange, to transmit, deliver or instruct delivery of money or monetary value to another location by any means, including issuing stored value, under KRS 286.11-003.
Verified 2026-07-16. Source
Virtual currency treatment
Included within the statute via the monetary value or medium of exchange definition (KRS 286.11-003), confirmed by KDFI's 2022 guidance applying the Act to cryptocurrency. A June 2025 amendment (2025 Ky. Acts ch. 50) exempts blockchain-protocol software, node operation and crypto-to-crypto exchange only, under KRS 286.11-007(8).
Verified 2026-07-16. Source
NMLS / portal
Money Transmitter Licence, Kentucky Department of Financial Institutions, applied for and renewed through NMLS.
Verified 2026-07-16. Source
Launch posture
amber: Virtual currency is clearly covered by statute and guidance, but Kentucky kept its pre-Model-Act 2006 framework, with a flat, commissioner-discretionary bond up to $5m and an.
Verified 2026-07-16. Source
Net worth / capital (locked)
Net worth / capital is included with access.Permissible investments (locked)
Permissible investments is included with access.Exam / audit timeline (locked)
Exam / audit timeline is included with access.Practitioner notes (locked)
Practitioner notes is included with access.Under the planning scenario
LicenceMap's bond and net worth figures use one scenario throughout: a virtual currency exchange with a fiat on and off ramp, $50m in annual US transmission volume, $2m in average daily outstanding liability, and a single principal office.
Surety bond: Surety bond is included with access.
Net worth / capital: Net worth / capital is included with access.