Crypto License in Poland
In 2014, Polish authorities refused to recognize bitcoin as a currency, however, stated that contracts based on its base index were fully-fledged financial instruments subject to common rules. Cryptocurrencies, although not defined by law, are not equated with fiat money, but are legally traded in the country. Mining, the purchase, and sale of crypto means, is recognized as not prohibited activity.
Since November 2021, virtual asset turnover has become a regulated business in Poland. Companies engaged in such activities must be registered with the State in a separate register of cryptocurrency enterprises and obtain an appropriate licence. Registration of entrepreneurs in the register is carried out in accordance with the requirements established by the Polish legislation.
Thus, due to the popularity of virtual currencies, the physical features of which are bitcoin ATMs, Poland has become a jurisdiction where cryptocurrency business – mining, selling, and buying cryptocurrency assets – is regulated and controlled by national authorities.
Poland crypto license
COST OF CRYPTOCURRENCY License in Poland
|
PACKAGE «COMPANY & CRYPTO LicenSe IN POLAND» |
7,900 EUR |
- Creation or purchase of a ready-made company in Poland
- Preparation of legal documents of the company
- Assistance in employment of director/KYC/AML employee and information of the State Social Insurance Fund
- Rent a legal address in the business centre for 1 year
- Overview of the business model and structure of the Cryptocurrency Company
- Assistance in opening a bank account for cryptocurrency companies
- KYC/AML Procedural Rules and Procedures
- Preparation of notifications, forms and supporting documents for submission to the Chamber of Tax Administration of Katowice
- Payment of State Fees for Registration of a Company
- Payment of State Licensing Fees for Application for a Cryptocurrency License
- General consultation (5 hours)
GENERAL PROVISIONS
The Polish financial market is generally controlled by the Polish Financial Supervision Authority, which is responsible for ensuring the efficient functioning and development of the market, and also participates in the preparation of draft legal acts created for the purpose of supervision of the financial market.
The cryptocurrency business is currently a separately regulated area, administered by the Tax Administration Chamber, which maintains a register of crypto activities, called the Register of Virtual Currencies.
The requirements for obtaining a cryptocurrency license and registration in a special registry apply to Polish companies providing the following services:
- Exchange of virtual currencies for fiat money (cryptocurrency exchangers, crypto-currency exchanges)
- Exchange virtual currencies for other virtual currencies
- Providing and maintaining accounts for virtual currencies (cryptocurrency wallets)
- Virtual currency exchange services (brokerage services)
The register of cryptocurrency companies will be controlled by the Ministry of Finance of Poland. This register was activated on November 1, 2021. Companies that have carried out activities in the field of virtual currencies in Poland before November 1 have an additional 6 months to adapt the business to new requirements and pass the licensing procedure.
New cryptocurrency companies in Poland, which will be registered after November 1, 2021, must undergo a registration procedure in the registry before starting activities.
Crypto companies operating in Poland are supported by some authorities:
- Blockchain and New Technology Chamber of Commerce representing the interests of the industry in accordance with applicable Polish legislation;
- The Innovative Hub, where the Supervisory Authority consults with Fintech and also provides virtual sandboxes to support the development of new Fintech startups.
advantages
Fast project implementation time
Possibility to purchase an off-the-shelf solution
No share capital requirement
No obligatory local staff member
CRYPTO LICENSING PROCESS
Poland is part of the European area and, in addition to national regulations, EU regulations are taken into account in licensing. The country is part of the Schengen area, and the requirements of the European Union Directive will need to be met in order to enter the European market. Therefore, to issue a license for cryptocurrency exchange «with a perspective», you will need:
To register a Polish company with «physical» office (nominal legal address is not enough) – non-residents will fit closed and open companies with limited liability, SP z.o.o and SA
Open a bank account and deposit the authorized capital – at the time of registration pay 100%
Recruit staff and directors with financial expertise and education
To prepare a business plan for several years in advance, documentation on technical and software tools used for exchange operations
Draw up AML/KYC compliance policies, internal registers, control regulations, etc.
Poland
Capital |
Population |
Currency |
GDP |
| Warsaw | 38,036,118 | PLN | $19,023 |
STAGES OF OBTAINING A CRYPTOCURRENCY license IN POLAND
- Preparation and filing of documents for the registration of the company in Poland:
- Preparation of documents for registration remotely
- Payment of government fees related to the registration of a legal entity
- Preparation of primary declarations for the Inland Revenue Service and the registry of beneficiaries
- Legal address and mailbox rental for 1 year
- Obtaining the Polish tax number PESEL
You need a Polish tax number to submit an electronic application via the ePUAP government service platform.
This procedure includes:
- Translation of a certified copy of the director’s passport under the apostille (if the document is certified by a foreign notary and not by the Polish Consulate) into Polish.
- The courier sends the client a document confirming receipt of the PESEL tax number.
Deadline for receipt of PESEL – up to 30 days from the moment of submission by the client of the original documents, as well as translations.
- Application for a license, registration of a company in the register of organizations working in the field of cryptocurrency:
The following steps needs to be undergone:
- Preparation of documents for inclusion in the register of organizations working in the field of cryptocurrency
- Payment of government fees
- AML procedure in Polish
The deadline for entering the Polish cryptocurrency into the register is 14 days from the moment of signing the statement of the director of the company via ePUAP. In case of questions of the system or lack of important documents, it may be extended.
Crypto regulation in Poland
| Period for consideration |
up to 2 months | Annual fee for supervision | No |
| State fee for application |
133 € | Local staff member | No |
| Required share capital | 1,077 € | Physical office | No |
| Corporate income tax | 15% | Accounting audit | No |
REGISTRATION OF THE POLISH COMPANY IN THE REGISTER OF CRYPTO-CURRENCY COMPANIES
As mentioned, a company does not need to obtain a cryptocurrency license in Poland for legitimate cryptocurrency activities, but to register with the appropriate state business register.
The activities of Polish companies and persons involved in cryptocurrency are regulated by the Chamber of Tax Administration in Katowice, Poland.
Legal basis of the register of activities in the sphere of virtual currencies:
- Articles 129-129z of the Act of 1 March 2018 on combating money-laundering and the financing of terrorism.
- Resolution of the Minister of Finance, Funds and Regional Policy of 25 October 2021 on the appointment of a body of the National Tax Administration to perform the tasks of the body competent to maintain a register of activities in the field of virtual currencies.
- Resolution of the Minister of Finance, Funds and Regional Policy of 21 October 2021 on the filing of an application for registration in the register of activities in the sphere of virtual currencies and the notification of the suspension of this activity.
- Virtual currency activities are regulated and require registration in the registry.
List of companies and individuals who have received a cryptocurrency license in Poland
The law on the basis of which a cryptocurrency license is issued in Poland.
TAXATION OF A POLISH COMPANY
There is no special cryptocurrency tax, but crypto companies operating in Poland, depending on their legal structure, are liable to pay various already existing taxes, which in some cases can be saved, considering that Poland has double taxation agreements with more than 80 countries.
More information regarding taxation here.
Also, lawyers from Regulated United Europe provide legal support for crypto projects and help with adaptation to MICA regulations.
“Hi, are you looking to start your crypto project in Poland? Write to me and I will navigate you through all of the stages of applying for a VASP license in Poland.”
+370 661 75988
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
How do I get a crypto license in Poland?
In order to be registered as a virtual asset service provider in Poland, a company must complete the following process:
- Register a physical address (office) in Poland
- Submit copies of documents on behalf of company owners, directors and senior managers. They should reflect impeccable reputation and not show any convictions for violation or law.
- Deposit the minimum authorized capital
- Establish AML/KYC policies and set clear rules for risk management
- Identify and verify clients before setting up business relationships (or when a transaction exceeds a certain amount)
Is it necessary to contact the local tax authority in crypto activities on behalf of a Polish company?
Yes. Every company that operates in the country reports to the National Court Register (KRS, or Krajowy Rejestr Sądowy).
What are the activities of the crypto license in Poland?
The scope of business activities that a crypto company may provide in Poland is broad and formally defined as “activities in the field of virtual currencies”. These include:
- Exchanging between virtual currencies and fiat currencies
- Exchanging between virtual currencies
- Intermediating in the exchange referred to in point a or b
- Supporting user accounts in an electronic form
How long does it take to get a license in Poland?
Once all the application documents and reports are submitted by the applicant, the decision on whether to register the company as an official crypto service provider should be taken within a period of 14 days. However, in total the process of establishing and registering a crypto company in Poland may take around 2 months (with possible delays due to missing information or other disturbances).
Can non-residents of Poland own a crypto company?
Yes. Non-residents can successfully establish a crypto company in Poland.
Is it necessary to have a banking account to obtain a license?
Yes. A banking account is a necessary functional requirement for companies operating in Poland. This account must also be used for depositing the minimum capital requirement.
What is the minimum authorized capital for a virtual currency service provider?
Minimum authorized capital for registering a crypto company in Poland is 5000 PLN (around 1100 EUR).
Is it possible to deposit authorized capital in cryptocurrency?
No, applicants may only deposit the required amount in fiat currencies.
How is the charter capital of a crypto company paid in?
The applicant must deposit it into the bank account of the crypto company in question. The full amount must be deposited in a fiat currency.
When do you need to deposit capital to open a company and obtain a crypto-license in Poland?
This step must be completed prior to submitting an application for establishing a company in Poland. It is a necessary prerequisite for successful registration.
Why you should get a crypto license in Poland?
There are a few reasons why establishing and registering a crypto company in Poland is a strategically beneficial move. Firstly, Poland is a large domestic market that gives businesses instant access to a very broad audience. Furthermore, compared to estimated waiting times in other EU member states, opening a crypto business in Poland takes a short amount of time. It is also relatively simple in terms of the procedure itself, carrying less requirements than crypto licensing procedures in many other EU member states. Finally, Poland has signed bilateral agreements on the avoidance of double taxation with more than 84 countries. This situation offers a huge taxation advantage for international companies that intend to open a branch in Poland.
Are Polish cryptocurrency companies audited?
According to Polish law, crypto companies are currently not a part of the financial market. As a result, activities of crypto companies in the country are currently not subject to specific, financial supervision. Nevertheless, the Polish authorities may audit crypto companies over their provision of payment services, particularly their virtual currency exchange office.
Can the director of a crypto company be a non-resident of Poland?
Yes. Nevertheless, an annual board and management meeting is required.
What measures to prevent money-laundering and the financing of terrorism are in place in Poland?
All virtual asset service providers registered in Poland must perform several specific post-registration obligations established in Polish law. In particular, they must:
- Identify and assess money laundering and terrorist financing risks stemming from their business activities and set financial security measures in place
- Keep a record of user transactions
- Maintain a register of actions taken to prevent money laundering and terrorist financing under the AML/CTF law.
What difficulties may arise in obtaining a crypto license in Poland?
Although providing virtual asset services, as a business activity, is generally legal and permissible in Poland, the crypto asset market is unregulated. As a result, crypto companies may run into grey areas in crypto legislation.
Where can I open a bank account for a Polish crypto company?
According to Polish law, crypto companies don’t necessarily have to have a traditional bank account. Alternatively, companies may choose to open an account with a virtual bank or a payment system.
Additional services for Poland
RUE customer support team
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CONTACT US
At the moment, the main services of our company are legal and compliance solutions for FinTech projects. Our offices are located in Vilnius, Prague, and Warsaw. The legal team can assist with legal analysis, project structuring, and legal regulation.
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