13 August 2026
Set up a Cryptocurrency Company in Bulgaria
How to open a crypto company in Bulgaria: the conditions, the VASP license application and which activities are regulated. Contact our team for guidance.
If you want to open a company in Bulgaria in the cryptocurrency sector, you can contact our Bulgarian agents. The formalities and procedures related to company incorporation in Bulgaria can be explained in detail by our specialists. In the following lines, you can find information on how to apply for a Virtual Asset Service Provider (VASP) license in Bulgaria and what the rules in this direction are.
| Quick Facts | |
|---|---|
| Cryptocurrency seen as legal tender (Yes/No) | No |
| Local regulatory agency | Financial Supervision Commission (FSC); BNB for e-money tokens |
| Special licenses for cryptocurrency companies | A MiCA licence (CASP authorisation) from the Financial Supervision Commission is required. |
| Special licenses for crypto exchanges | Must obtain from the Financial Supervision Commission the European Union (EU) Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) authorization. |
| Anti-money laundering rules | – know your customer (KYC), – transaction monitoring, – FSC licensing, – ongoing reporting |
| Investor requirements | Provide AML documentation and beneficial ownership information |
| Residency requirements for investors | None |
| Types of companies used | – limited liability company (OOD/EOOD), – joint stock company (AD/EAD), – branch of a foreign company. |
| Minimum capital | EUR 1 for the company; EUR 50,000–150,000 for EU-wide MiCA Crypto Asset Service Provider (CASP) authorization. |
| Minimum number of shareholders | One |
| Minimum number of directors | One |
| Business license | A MiCA (CASP) licence from the Financial Supervision Commission is required. |
| Mandatory company requirements | – registration, – AML/KYC procedures, – reporting, – record-keeping. |
| Cryptocurrency company taxation | – 10% corporate tax, – 5% dividend withholding, – Crypto transactions are generally VAT-exempt. |
| Reasons to open a cryptocurrency company in Bulgaria | – low taxes, – simple setup, – EU access, – flexible ownership, – favourable AML regime. |
Conditions to open a cryptocurrency company in Bulgaria
Investors who want to set up cryptocurrency companies in Bulgaria are advised to ask for support and information from our specialists in company formation in Bulgaria in matters of documents and related conditions. One should consider the following aspects when deciding on a cryptocurrency company set up in Bulgaria:
- signing a contract with a Bulgarian bank;
- respecting the rules and regulations imposed by the National Bank of Bulgaria;
- adopting a secure method of currency exchange with no hidden conditions or fees;
- offering client support;
- creating Bitcoin applications for clients;
- respecting the rules and regulations imposed by the National Bank of Bulgaria.
How to apply for a Virtual Asset Service Provider (VASP) license in Bulgaria
If you want to get a Virtual Asset Service Provider (VASP) license in Bulgaria, you should have the following requirements in mind:
- Applying for a Virtual Asset Service Provider (VASP) license in Bulgaria can be done after the company is established and registered. The limited liability company or OOD in Bulgaria is often the preferred option due to the benefits involved, including a minimum share capital of EUR 1.
- Applicants must comply with the Anti-Money Laundering (AML) regulations before applying for a VASP license in Bulgaria.
- It is mandatory to obtain a MiCA (CASP) licence from the Financial Supervision Commission when applying for a Virtual Asset Service Provider (VASP) license.
Considering these important aspects when applying for a Virtual Asset Service Provider (VASP) license in Bulgaria, all that remains is to contact our specialists for guidance on the procedures to be followed. This way, you can ensure that all conditions are met when setting up a company in the cryptocurrency field in Bulgaria.
How is cryptocurrency seen in Bulgaria?
Cryptocurrency is not legal tender in Bulgaria; crypto-asset service providers are supervised by the Financial Supervision Commission under MiCA. In other words, this digital currency is a form of payment without involving liquid money in a transaction. Bitcoin is the first decentralized cryptocurrency, launched in 2009 by the pseudonymous Satoshi Nakamoto, and has developed quickly worldwide, including in Bulgaria.
Opening a cryptocurrency company in Bulgaria as a foreign entrepreneur is subject to the main conditions imposed for any company in the country, considering also the special licenses and permits imposed in the financial sector. Even though cryptocurrency is not used on a large scale, it has sufficient potential to develop, and Bulgaria is open to all kinds of investments in the financial sector, including those related to the electronic form of payments.
We invite you to have a better understanding on the key facts of opening a cryptocurrency company in Bulgaria from this infographic:
Unregulated activities in Bulgaria
The European Securities and Markets Authority, the European Banking Authority, the Bulgarian National Bank, and the Financial Supervision Commission in Bulgaria consider that cryptocurrencies fall outside the regulatory boundary of the payment services and investment services legal backgrounds. This is because certain cryptocurrencies do not qualify as financial tools, due to their mere payment use. In this case, a MiCA (CASP) licence is now required for the exchange, transfer, or custody of cryptocurrency in Bulgaria.
Controlled cryptocurrency activities in Bulgaria
When crypto assets are recognized as financial instruments, services linked to them may fall within the scope of the existing investment services legal framework in Bulgaria. Also, if such crypto assets have investment purposes and are expected to generate returns, they are recognized as financial instruments. Here, an investment firm license is needed, issued under the control of the Bulgarian Markets in Financial Instruments Act. With this type of license, you can make exchanges, transfers, and other financial operations. These are other EU financial regulations that apply in Bulgaria, with the help of the European Securities and Markets Authority:
- Transparency Directive,
- Directive Prospectus,
- Market Abuse Directive,
- Short Selling Regulation,
- Central Securities Depositories Regulation,
- Settlement Finality Directive.
What news does the legislation bring in terms of cryptocurrency in Bulgaria?
The National Bank in Bulgaria and the Financial Supervision Commission have been making substantial advances in terms of regulatory framework and applicable laws. This was possible due to the increased interest of local and foreign businessmen in cryptocurrency in Bulgaria. In this sense, the EU directives referring to anti-money laundering have been revised, and other EU-related cryptocurrency guidelines will be implemented in the future in order to align with the other member states. Here are other important aspects referring to crypto regulations in Bulgaria:
- The Crypto-Assets markets (MiCA) regulations apply since 30 December 2024 and Bulgaria’s Markets in Crypto-Assets Act has been in force since 8 July 2025, promising consistency and transparency in the cryptocurrency sector.
- Recent changes and implementations of the law focus on preventing misunderstandings of crypto asset services and promise better supervision of existing and future providers.
Advantages in the crypto field of Bulgaria
Those who want to obtain a crypto license in Bulgaria to establish their activities of this kind benefit from a stable climate and varied advantages:
- Obtaining a Virtual Asset Service Provider (VASP) license in Bulgaria requires a full MiCA authorisation procedure before the Financial Supervision Commission.
- In most cases, the licensing process does not involve traveling to Bulgaria as a foreign investor.
- MiCA capital requirements for crypto companies are moderate (EUR 50,000–150,000 depending on the services).
- Bulgaria is part of the European Union and aligns itself with directives imposed in the cryptocurrency sector, making the country a stable environment for businesses of this kind.
- Bulgaria is among the countries open to the latest technology and innovation, and the crypto sector is no exception.
Opportunities in the cryptocurrency sector in Bulgaria
Having a crypto license in Bulgaria is advantageous for various operations:
- Asset custody services in Bulgaria – You can set up a dedicated company to ensure the safety of electronic wallets and private keys by keeping and managing the crypto assets of customers through dedicated services.
- Cryptocurrency exchanges – With a crypto license in Bulgaria, one can create a platform for digital currency trading for fiat money or other types of cryptocurrencies available worldwide.
- Full payment services – Payment transactions can be much simplified by using digital currencies. This also incorporates exchanging cryptocurrencies for fiat money in Bulgaria.
- Advisory services – Investors can set up dedicated companies and provide recommendations on investment opportunities, market tendencies, and compliance in the cryptocurrency sector in Bulgaria.
- E-wallet services – Dedicated facilities for the management and storage of digital assets through wallet services can be offered when having a crypto license in Bulgaria.
Therefore, it can be said that this crypto license comes with numerous advantages for businesspeople who want to launch themselves in this sector with many promises of future development. It is recommended to consider specialized help from the very beginning to avoid possible complexities that may relate to documents or AML compliance, for example.
Why is Bulgaria a great business destination?
Bulgaria has a stable business climate and optimal local conditions. Also, foreign entrepreneurs can opt for Bulgaria if they want to develop their business in this part of Europe. On the other hand, Bulgaria has a fairly attractive tax system compared to other European countries, which makes it a favorable business destination. Here are other interesting facts if you want to set up a company in this country and want to know one of the economic facts:
- An economic growth of approximately 2.3% was recorded in 2023.
- The consumer price index was set at 8.2% in the same year in Bulgaria.
- The unemployment rate in Bulgaria was 4.5% at the end of 2023.
Specialized support from our local agents
The legislation regarding the opening of a cryptocurrency company may seem quite complex, especially since there are many directives and regulations from Europe that apply without fail in Bulgaria. But with specialized help, you can make sure that all the rules are respected, especially regarding the documents. Those who want to obtain a Virtual Asset Service Provider (VASP) license in Bulgaria should collaborate with experts in the field, such as our local agents. On the other hand, it is good to know that our team collaborates with the relevant institutions that are in charge of business formation and license issuance.
We offer specialized assistance to those interested in obtaining a crypto license in Bulgaria, as well as to people interested in other aspects related to business. Among them, our accountants in Bulgaria can be business partners right from the start. Moreover, those interested in a startup in Bulgaria can benefit from assistance and advice in this direction. We therefore invite you to contact our Bulgarian agents and learn more about the services we offer to local and foreign entrepreneurs. We can also help you with opening a business in Bulgaria.