Crypto License in Serbia – VASP License Alternative

Since June 29, 2021, the Digital Assets Act has been in force in Serbia, which regulates activities with cryptocurrencies and digital tokens. This act obliges companies providing services related to digital assets to obtain relevant licenses from the competent authorities. Depending on the nature of the services provided, licenses are issued either by the National Bank of Serbia (NBS) or the Securities Commission (SEC).

Regulated United Europe (RUE) offers a full range of legal services for obtaining a cryptocurrency license in Serbia. Our specialists accompany clients at all stages of the process: from registering a legal entity to obtaining a license and subsequent compliance with regulatory requirements.

Our services include:

• Company registration in Serbia:We help to choose the optimal organizational and legal form (most often LLC), prepare constituent documents and support the registration process with the relevant authorities.
• Preparation of licensing documentation:Our lawyers develop the necessary documents, including a business plan, internal AML/KYC policies, a description of the technical infrastructure and other documents required to apply for a license.
• Interaction with regulators:We represent the client’s interests in the National Bank of Serbia or the Securities Commission, ensuring effective communication and timely provision of all necessary information.
• Regulatory Compliance:Once a license is obtained, we continue to support the client, ensuring compliance with all legal requirements, including reporting, updating internal policies and advising on changes in legislation.

Serbia offers attractive conditions for cryptocurrency business, including moderate tax rates and progressive legislation in the field of digital assets, but the process of obtaining a license requires careful preparation and a deep understanding of local regulations. Cooperation with Regulated United Europe provides reliable legal support and risk minimization at all stages of entering the Serbian market.

In Serbia, trading in cryptocurrency derivatives is controlled by National Bank of Serbia (NBS) and Securities and Exchange Commission. Although cryptocurrencies are not officially recognized as a means of payment, trading them is not prohibited, but requires compliance with the law. The law on digital assets in Serbia can be found here.

 Digital Asset Law in Serbia

 First of all, it is important to know that cryptocurrencies are legal in Serbia. More than 4 years ago, the Law on Digital Assets was adopted, which clearly regulates the trading of cryptocurrencies. Purchases can be made through authorized exchange offices or from another legal entity via the Internet.According to the Digital Assets Law, digital assets include:

• Virtual currencies are digital currencies that do not have the status of legal tender in Serbia, but can be used for trading and exchange.
• Digital tokens – rights that grant access to certain services or products – are often used to raise capital through an initial coin offering (ICO).

Cryptocurrency regulation and licensing in Serbia

Serbia is gradually emerging as a jurisdiction with a clearly structured legal framework for digital asset transactions. With the entry into force of the Digital Assets Act in June 2021, the country has provided crypto industry participants with a legal mechanism to operate, including the possibility of obtaining a license to provide services related to virtual currencies and digital tokens.

Under Serbian law, digital assets are classified into two main categories: virtual currencies (such as Bitcoin), which are used as a means of payment, and digital tokens (including NFTs), which can provide the owner with certain property or non-property rights. The National Bank of Serbia is responsible for overseeing virtual currencies, while the Securities Commission oversees tokens.

Companies planning to provide services in the field of digital assets are required to obtain permission from one or both regulators, depending on the nature of the services. Among the licensed areas are brokerage activities, exchange of digital assets for fiat money, custody, issuance of tokens, organization of trading platforms and portfolio management. Depending on the type of service, the requirements for the minimum authorized capital are from 20,000 to 125,000 euros.

Services related to digital assets in the Republic of Serbia include:

1) acceptance, transmission and execution of orders related to the purchase and sale of digital assets on behalf of third parties; 2) services for the purchase and sale of digital assets for cash and/or for monetary funds and/or for electronic money; 3) services for the exchange of digital assets for other digital assets; 4) storage and administration of digital assets on behalf of users of digital assets and related services; 5) services for the issue, offer and sale of digital property with or without the obligation to acquire it (sponsorship); 6) maintaining a register of pledges on digital assets; 7) services for the acceptance/transfer of digital property; 8) management of a portfolio of digital assets; 9) organization of a platform for trading digital assets.

• For the first six services listed, the minimum founding capital must be 20,000 euros.
• For the seventh and eighth services, a share capital of EUR 50,000 is required.
• The ninth service requires an investment in the share capital of 125,000 euros.

A significant advantage is that legal entities registered in Serbia can offer their services internationally – subject to prior approval from the Serbian regulator and compliance with the legislation of the country of service provision. Serbian law also allows both individuals and companies to own and use digital assets without restrictions, subject to compliance with all tax and accounting requirements.

The Serbian tax system takes into account the specifics of cryptocurrency transactions and includes separate provisions for individuals and legal entities. Legal entities pay a capital gains tax at a rate of 15% on profits from transactions with digital assets. However, tax incentives are provided: if income from the sale of assets is reinvested in Serbian companies or funds, the tax base can be reduced. For individuals, the 15% rate also applies, with the possibility of a partial tax exemption in the case of reinvestment of funds within 90 or 365 days.

In terms of anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing (AML/CFT) compliance, all crypto service providers are required to implement internal procedures, appoint a designated officer, and ensure that operations comply with national and international standards. Failure to do so will result in regulatory consequences.

Serbia is actively developing the digital economy, encouraging legal activity in the field of blockchain technologies. The country has registered crypto exchanges, approved white papers, and an active dialogue between business and the regulator. All this makes the jurisdiction attractive for both startups and mature companies planning to expand into Europe.

How Regulated United Europe Can Help Your Crypto Business in Serbia

Our team provides a full range of services for licensing cryptocurrency-related activities in Serbia:

• legal assessment of the project and selection of a regulatory model;
• company registration in Serbia;
• preparation of a complete package of documentation for submitting an application (including a business plan, AML/KYC policies, description of IT architecture);
• support for interaction with the National Bank and the Securities Commission;
• support in introducing services to the international market;
• post-licensing support, including tax planning, reporting and compliance.

We provide legal predictability, minimize regulatory risks, and offer strategic support from start to scaling. If you are considering Serbia as a jurisdiction for launching a cryptocurrency project, Regulated United Europe specialists are ready to become your reliable partner at every stage of this process.

Taxation of cryptocurrency trading in Serbia

Taxation of cryptocurrency trading in Serbia is crucial for anyone dealing with digital currency transactions to understand. As digital assets like Bitcoin and Ethereum grow in popularity, so do questions about legal and tax obligations. Serbia’s legal framework provides clarity on capital gains tax, social security contributions, and value-added tax (VAT) related to cryptocurrency trading. This blog provides answers to the most frequently asked questions and helps traders navigate Serbia’s tax system.

Are social security contributions taxed on cryptocurrency income?

According to the Law on Contributions to Compulsory Social Insurance, contributions are related to income received as a result of employment relationships, such as employment contracts, professional obligations or entrepreneurial activity.

However, income from the sale of cryptocurrencies does not fall into these categories. Therefore, mandatory social security contributions are not paid on income from cryptocurrency trading. This difference gives a clear picture to people who receive income independently of their work activity.

Are cryptocurrency transactions subject to value added tax (VAT)?

The Value Added Tax Act clearly exempts certain cryptocurrency transactions from VAT. Specifically, VAT not paid:

• Transfer of virtual currencies and
• Exchange virtual currencies for cash.

These transactions are VAT exempt, meaning that trading cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin or Ethereum is not subject to this tax.

However, it is important to note that this exemption applies exclusively to virtual currencies. Other forms of digital assets, such as digital tokens, require individual assessment. If a digital asset does not meet the requirements for classification as a virtual currency, the standard VAT rate of 20% applies.

Capital Gains Tax on Cryptocurrency Trading

In Serbia, income from cryptocurrency trading is treated as capital gains and is taxed at 15%. This is the profit made from buying and selling digital assets, which allows for compliance with the law while retaining a significant portion of the profit.

Key Benefits of Taxing Crypto Companies in Serbia

1. No social security contributions: Income from cryptocurrency trading is exempt from mandatory social security contributions.
2. VAT exempt trade: Most cryptocurrency transactions, such as trading virtual currencies, are exempt from VAT. However, this does not automatically apply to digital tokens.
3. Capital Gains Tax: A 15% tax applies to income from trading digital assets.

Understanding these aspects helps traders and investors effectively plan their cryptocurrency activities and comply with Serbian tax laws.

As of 2025, more than 200,000 Serbian citizens own cryptocurrencies

Although virtual currencies do not have the legal status of money or currency, nor is their value guaranteed by a central bank, cryptocurrency trading has been legalized in Serbia since 2021. However, cryptocurrency is not yet a legal tender and trading is carried out through exchanges.

Digital assets or virtual assets are a digital record of value that can be bought, sold, exchanged or transferred digitally and can be used as a medium of exchange or for investment purposes. The provision of services related to digital assets is regulated by the Law on Digital Assets, and the license for the provision of services related to virtual currencies is issued by the National Bank of Serbia.

It explains how the system for issuing and revoking licenses for the provision of services related to virtual currencies works.

This service implies that its provider accepts from the consumer the value of virtual currencies corresponding to the price of goods sold or services rendered to this consumer, exchanges it for the corresponding amount of dinars and transfers this amount to the corresponding account of the seller, who receives only dinars and not virtual currencies.

The National Bank exercises a supervisory function in relation to the provision of these services, however, neither it nor any other institution is liable for any possible damage caused to the owner of virtual currencies or other forms of digital assets, and that the losses are borne exclusively by the user of such assets.

Legal entities and entrepreneurs with their head office in Serbia, as well as those operating in Serbia through a branch, who have acquired virtual currency not through a service provider licensed by the National Bank, must be registered as owners of virtual currencies through the Data Exchange Centre.

How can lawyers from Regulated United Europe help in obtaining a crypto license in Serbia?

Obtaining a cryptocurrency license in Serbia is a strategically important step for companies operating in the digital asset sector and seeking to legalize their activities within a clearly defined and progressive regulatory framework. Since the entry into force of the Digital Assets Act in 2021, Serbia has offered a transparent legal environment for such businesses, including the possibility of obtaining official permission to provide crypto services. The legal team of Regulated United Europe (RUE) provides comprehensive support for this process – from structuring the project to obtaining a license and post-licensing support.

RUE specialists have deep expertise in the regulation of virtual assets in Europe and understand the specifics of working with Serbian regulators – the National Bank of Serbia and the Securities Commission. Based on the assessment of the business model, we determine what type of license is needed, as well as whether the project is subject to regulation as a provider of services related to digital assets in accordance with the law.

In the first stage, we advise the client on the business structure and the necessary conditions to comply with Serbian requirements. This includes an analysis of the authorized capital (from 20,000 to 125,000 euros, depending on the type of crypto services), requirements for AML/KYC procedures, technical infrastructure, staffing and documentation. We also offer recommendations on how to optimize the corporate structure for operations both in Serbia and abroad.

Next, we take on the registration of a legal entity in Serbia, including the preparation of statutory documents, interaction with local registration authorities and opening of a bank account. In parallel, a license package is formed, which includes a business plan, AML/KYC policies, a description of the architecture of IT systems, information on beneficiaries and directors, and other documents required for filing an application.

The entire application process is supported by our lawyers: we interact with the regulator on behalf of the client, respond to inquiries, and, if necessary, provide explanations and additional documents. If necessary, we select a candidate for the position of MLRO (compliance and money laundering prevention officer) and provide legal preparation for his/her approval.

Once licensed, RUE provides full post-license support: monitoring regulatory compliance, preparing mandatory reporting, updating internal policies, monitoring legislative changes. We also advise clients on exporting crypto services outside of Serbia, including obtaining pre-approval from the local regulator and compliance with foreign legislation.

The advantage of working with Regulated United Europes a systematic approach, practical experience in obtaining crypto licenses in various European jurisdictions and the ability to adapt the project to Serbian specifics. We provide predictability, legal protection and effective interaction with regulators – everything that is necessary for a reliable launch of a crypto business on the Serbian market.

If you are considering the possibility of conducting crypto activities in Serbia and want to be sure that all legal regulations are met, the Regulated United Europe team is ready to take on full support of your project.