Alternatives to MiCA regulation

There are also widespread concerns among cryptos about the limitations in the European MiCA regulation. The idea is absolutely correct: protecting investors and helping stabilize the volatile market for digital assets. But the licensing process is somewhat complicated for startups, both for a well-considered project as well.

And an increasing number of companies are also looking outside of the EU and obtaining non-Europe crypto license in countries with less strict laws. Offshore crypto licenses are themselves nothing new but now they have the spotlight: they are agile, quick and business-oriented.

Why Offshore Crypto Licenses Emerging as a Global Trend?

For many who were trying to get a crypto business off the ground in 2025 — compliance is the bottleneck. MiCA involves extensive paperwork, capital reserves, reporting systems, and stringent operational constraints. Offshore crypto license turn that model on its head. Here’s why they’re so seductive:

• Faster Time-to-Market

No one wants a 6-12 month wait for approval. It typically takes only a few weeks to get an offshore licence.

• Lower Operating Costs

Setup costs, local salaries, continuing compliance — it starts to add up. In places like Anjouan or Georgia, the price tag plunges.

• Favorable Tax Schemes

In some places, you won’t pay any corporate income tax at all on foreign earnings.

• Greater Autonomy

Do you want to operate a crypto exchange? Want to issue tokens for your project or run an ICO? Indeed, many non-European jurisdictions allow you to do all three things under one license.

Best Non-EU Countries for Crypto Licenses in 2025

Here’s a breakdown of five standout offshore locales crypto founders should be keeping on their radar:

Anjouan (Comoros)

A relative newcomer to the licensing world is taking an increasing share of the overall market, Anjouan. Businesses are licensed in as little as two weeks, and astonishingly, there is no AML-CFT requirement at onboarding, making it ideal for smaller projects that need to move fast. However, regulatory oversight in that jurisdiction is clamping down in 2025, hoping to formalize its credibility without taking away its speed advantage.

Georgia

This country has been creating a pro-crypto environment for years, albeit quietly. There exist two options: a mainland license or a license for Free Industrial Zone (FIZ) located in Tbilisi. The latter is offered with no tax on either corporate income or VAT. So far, the local government is taking a mostly hands-off approach — provided you’re transparent and aboveboard. Additionally, when you establish in a Georgian FIZ, a company can have in-country banking but not be subject to most (but not all) of the reporting requirements put on EU businesses.

El Salvador

El Salvador does not just accept Bitcoin — it has embraced it fully. The country has enacted one of the most transparent digital asset frameworks anywhere since making BTC legal tender. The DASP license is relatively easy to obtain and includes low capital contributions. If you’re building a project that has deep links to Bitcoin or want a government that actually gets it, you probably can’t do much better than this.

Costa Rica

Costa Rica has good reason to be loved by crypto entrepreneurs. It provides for simplified licensing, almost no tax on foreign-sourced income, and no economic substance rules. You don’t have to run an office or hire staff in the country, which cuts down your overhead. There’s also a growing push from local lawmakers to add crypto-friendly policies to the state’s official rulebook.

Mauritius

Already a well-established financial center, Mauritius is proving itself to be a serious option for crypto businesses. The F.S.C. has been modernizing quickly, adopting digital asset regulations that strike a compromise between risk management and business freedom. While Mauritius may not be the cheapest option on this list, it’s arguably the most reputable — great if you’re trying to woo investors or partners who require some sense of regulatory legitimacy.

What the Licensing Process Is Actually Like

No matter where you’re headed offshore, obtaining a license still requires some legwork. Here’s a rough sketch of what you should expect:

• Choose Your Jurisdiction

Ensure that it matches your business model, risk tolerance, and compliance capability.

• Register Your Entity

Establish a local company — this can typically be accomplished in under a week.

• Prepare Your Docs

Prepare your business plan, team bios, tech stack overview, financial forecasts — the works.

• Open a Bank Account

Some areas have banks that are local and crypto-friendly; others will necessitate international banking relationships.

• If Necessary, Recruit Key Staff

In some jurisdictions, you may also be required to have an AML officer or director on the ground in the country.

• Secure Your Platform

Cybersecurity is a priority for regulators. Use KYC, multisig wallets, and data privacy measures.

• Build Your Infrastructure

You must have a stable, auditable backend that can be scaled.

• Apply

Send in the application and remain alert. Depending on how clean your paperwork is, you could be in operation in a month or less.

Wrapping It Up

The MiCA regime in Europe won’t suit everyone. If you need to scale your crypto business quickly, we suggest considering alternative options outside the EU to obtain a crypto license. Offshore crypto licenses are a real alternative. Pay attention to jurisdictions beyond the EU—crypto licenses in places like Anguilla, Costa Rica, or Mauritius allow you to move faster, reduce costs, and be more flexible. The key is to choose a jurisdiction that not only meets regulatory requirements but also fits your long-term strategy.