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Practical legal guide

Is a crypto or investment platform authorised in the EU? How to check (MiCA, ESMA, Czech Republic)

You want to open an account with a crypto exchange or online broker, or your platform changed its terms because of the EU rules, and you are not sure it is allowed to serve you. Since the EU crypto-asset rules (known as MiCA) apply, a crypto-asset service provider needs an authorisation. You can check it for free in ESMA's register and in the Czech National Bank's lists.

Describe your case

Updated and verified:

Short answer

  1. ESMA register of authorised crypto providers
  2. Czech National Bank lists
  3. Warnings about unauthorised firms
  4. No authorisation, no contract

Check the exact company name, seat and website in ESMA's register and the ČNB lists. Since 1 July 2026 at the latest, only authorised firms may provide crypto services in the EU.

Describe your case

Quick answers

Where exactly do I check an authorisation?
In ESMA's interim MiCA register for crypto-asset service providers and, for the Czech Republic, in the ČNB lists (JERRS). Search for the exact company name from the contract, not the app's name.
How much does checking cost?
Nothing. Both registers are public and free. Only a lawyer's review of a contract costs money.
Until when could platforms operate without the new authorisation?
Until 1 July 2026 at the latest. In the Czech Republic an earlier crypto provider had to apply for authorisation by 31 July 2025 to continue until the decision.

When this situation arises

  • You want to open an account with a crypto exchange or online broker
  • A platform approached you through an ad, social media or a phone call
  • Your platform moved your account to another company because of the EU rules
  • A platform claims to have a "licence" but does not say where or from whom

What options do you have

ESMA register of authorised crypto providers

The European Securities and Markets Authority publishes an interim register of crypto-asset service providers authorised in the EU and a list of entities that breach the rules.

Czech National Bank lists

The ČNB lists everyone it has licensed, authorised, registered, notified or entered in its lists, including Czech crypto providers and foreign providers allowed to operate in the Czech Republic.

Warnings about unauthorised firms

The ČNB warns about entities and platforms that may offer financial services without its authorisation, and the ČNB and ESMA both refer to the IOSCO alerts portal. A firm missing from a warning list is not proof that it is legitimate.

No authorisation, no contract

ESMA reminds clients of unauthorised providers, whether in or outside the EU, that they do not benefit from the EU safeguards, including protection of client assets. A firm outside the EU may not solicit clients in the EU.

Recommended step-by-step process

  1. 1.

    Find the exact company

    Look in the terms for the full legal name, registered seat and country of the company you would contract with. The app's brand is often different.

  2. 2.

    Search the ESMA register

    Check that the company is listed as an authorised crypto-asset service provider, and look at the list of non-compliant entities too.

  3. 3.

    Search the ČNB lists

    For services in the Czech Republic, check that the company has an authorisation, registration or notification and for which services.

  4. 4.

    Check the warnings

    Look at the ČNB warnings and the IOSCO alerts portal.

  5. 5.

    Compare the website and contacts

    Scammers copy the names of real firms. Do the website, e-mail and phone number match the register?

What documents to prepare

  • Full company name, seat and registration number from the terms
  • The website address and the name of the app
  • A dated screenshot of your search in the ESMA register or ČNB lists
  • The contract or terms the firm offers you

Common mistakes

  • Checking only the app's brand, not the company you contract with
  • Relying on a "licence" from a country outside the EU
  • Treating the absence of a warning as proof that a firm is safe
  • Opening a register link that the seller sent you instead of finding it yourself
  • Missing that a website uses a real firm's name with different contact details

Risks and important deadlines

The transition is over

Earlier providers could continue without the EU authorisation until 1 July 2026 at the latest. According to the ČNB, firms without a licence can no longer operate on the Czech crypto-asset market.

Firms outside the EU

A non-EU firm may serve an EU client without authorisation only at the client's own exclusive initiative. If the firm contacted you or showed you its advertising, that exception does not apply.

Authorisation is not an investment rating

An authorisation only says that the firm may provide the service and is supervised. It says nothing about whether any investment is suitable or profitable.

Estimated costs

Checking the ESMA register and the ČNB lists is free. A lawyer who reviews a contract or a firm always charges; agree the fee in advance.

When it's worth contacting a lawyer

A Czech lawyer helps when a firm is missing from the registers or the details do not match, when a platform moves your contract to another company, or when you want a contract checked before you sign. On LawBridge you can find Czech lawyers by area of law and describe your situation in a request. Lawyers always charge for their work, and nobody can guarantee that you get your money back.

Describe your case

Frequently asked questions

The platform is authorised in another EU country. Is that enough?

A provider authorised in one EU country may serve the whole EU after notification. Check it in the ESMA register and, for the Czech Republic, in the ČNB list of foreign providers.

What if I cannot find the platform?

Do not sign or send money. If you already have money there, save the evidence, report the firm to the ČNB or your national regulator and talk to a lawyer.

I am a foreigner living in the Czech Republic. Does this apply to me?

Yes. Anyone providing crypto-asset services in the EU needs the authorisation, whatever the client's nationality. You can check the ESMA register and the ČNB lists from anywhere.

Do I need a lawyer to check?

No, you can search the registers yourself. A lawyer helps when the details do not match, when your contract partner changes or when there is already a dispute.

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