Nowadays, cryptocurrencies are not just digital coins, but a full-fledged economy within the economy. And as strange as it may sound, Poland has become one of those countries where digital businesses feel at home. While some are still arguing about how to regulate bitcoin, Polish regulators have already created a perfectly working scheme that allows you to launch projects legally and quickly. Someone sets up a company from scratch, while others immediately look for a ready-made crypto exchange with a license in Poland for sale, hoping for a quick start and a minimum of bureaucracy. In the context of the development of Fintech regulation in Poland, this is especially relevant. The regulation of financial technologies in the country is becoming more structured: the role of AML supervision is increasing, requirements for beneficiaries are becoming more detailed, and inspections by tax and financial authorities are becoming more active.
What is required to obtain VASP status in Poland?
Despite the fact that the MiCA regulation is not yet fully implemented, Poland already has a mechanism for registering cryptocurrency providers. A company wishing to obtain the status of licensed VASP Poland must meet a number of basic criteria:
- be registered in the form of Spółka z o.o. (analogous to a Ukrainian LLC);
- have a physical address in Poland;
- appoint at least one principal who is a resident of Poland or the EEA;
- officially appoint an official responsible for compliance with anti-money laundering regulations (Compliance Officer);
- develop and implement a full package of internal policies in accordance with Poland crypto AML compliance standards.
The cryptocurrency sector in Poland already operates under clear rules, including customer identification (KYC), transaction monitoring, risk assessment and interaction with financial intelligence. All actions must be documented and controlled, which reduces the risk of losing legal status.
Choosing between starting a business from scratch and buying a ready-made structure
You can launch a crypto project in Poland from scratch: open a company, apply for registration, prepare documents, set up internal processes. However, even in an optimistic scenario, it will take several months. Imagine this: you have already agreed with your partners to launch an exchange, but they tell you that it will take 2 months to register. This means lost traffic, frozen budgets, and postponed marketing. That is why many investors choose the alternative – to purchase an already established company with a license. It’s much quicker and easier for you!
Such structures are not only registered in the relevant register, but also have everything for full-fledged work: a bank account, a designated compliance officer, an organizational chart, developed policies in accordance with the requirements of Poland crypto AML compliance. The cost of a ready-made business depends on several factors: whether the company has a history of operations, whether it has conducted business with clients, whether it has assets.
Sometimes “clean” companies appear on the market, created specifically for further sale – they have no financial obligations and debt risks. Others are operating crypto platforms with ready-made infrastructure, team and client base.
As Eternity Law International’s practice shows, choosing a company with the status of licensed VASP Poland allows you to reduce time spent at the start, avoid initial legal mistakes and start working immediately. You get a full-fledged “turnkey” organization: with a team, prescribed processes and established communication channels with banks or liquidity providers.
Legislative changes and new requirements
As of December 2024, the Polish VASP registry has stopped accepting new registration applications. This is due to the gradual transition to a pan-European licensing system in accordance with the MiCA regulation. Now, companies that intend to exchange or store digital assets are required to obtain CASP status. Among the new requirements are an increased minimum capital (up to €125,000 for crypto exchanges), an audit of AML/KYC procedures, a check of key persons for reliability, as well as transparency of all operations. If you already own a Polish company or are just planning to create one, it is critically important to adapt your internal structure to European regulations in advance, in particular regarding Poland crypto AML compliance. The lack of proper regulation or a weak compliance model can become a barrier to cooperation with banks or European counterparties.
What are the AML requirements for VASP Poland?
Strict AML/KYC compliance including client verification and transaction monitoring. All cryptocurrency companies registered in Poland must adhere to a comprehensive approach to combating financial abuse. This means verifying each client before starting cooperation, systematically monitoring transactions, identifying suspicious transactions and maintaining relevant documentation. The company must appoint a compliance officer who monitors the relevance of procedures, prepares reports and interacts with regulatory authorities, in particular with the GIIF (Generalny Inspektor Informacji Finansowej).
How long does it take to register a new VASP?
Typically 4–8 weeks; faster if buying an existing licensed company. The process includes creating a legal entity, preparing internal policies, appointing responsible persons, opening a bank account, and submitting documents to the appropriate registry. If the company goes through all the stages from scratch, the expected time is from one to two months. However, if you choose the option of purchasing a ready-made structure with a license, the start can take place almost immediately after the transaction is completed.