Is Crypto Legal in Malta?

Cryptocurrency is legal in Malta under the comprehensive Markets in Crypto-Assets Act, which implements the European Union's MiCA Regulation into national law (1). The Malta Financial Services Authority (MFSA) is responsible for supervising entities authorized under the Markets in Crypto-Assets Act, including crypto-asset service providers and issuers of various types of crypto-assets (1). Malta has positioned itself as a pioneer in crypto regulation, earning recognition as "Blockchain Island" for its forward-thinking approach to digital assets (2).

The Markets in Crypto-Assets Act governs persons providing crypto-asset services and those issuing or offering crypto-assets to the public or seeking admission of crypto-assets to trading (1). Three types of issuers are regulated under MiCA: issuers of asset-referenced tokens, issuers of electronic money tokens, and issuers of crypto-assets other than ARTs or EMTs (1). The MFSA has established rules enhancing supervision of prudential requirements, governance, safekeeping of clients' crypto-assets and funds, complaints handling, cross-border services, conflict of interest management, and outsourcing (1).

"The Malta Financial Services Authority is responsible for the supervision of entities authorised under the Markets in Crypto-Assets Act, including persons providing crypto-asset services and persons issuing or offering crypto-assets to the public."

The Markets in Crypto-Assets Act entered into force on June 30, 2024, and includes enabling provisions allowing the Minister responsible for financial services regulation to issue subsidiary legislation (1). Operators in the crypto-asset sector must remain current with regulatory updates issued by the European Securities and Markets Authority and the European Banking Authority (1). The Act grants the MFSA powers to grant, refuse, cancel, and suspend licenses issued to crypto operators and impose administrative penalties in specific circumstances (1).

Source:
https://www.mfsa.mt/our-work/crypto-assets/
https://legislation.mt/eli/cap/647/eng

Last updated: 19-10-2025 Disclaimer: This article does not provide legal advice. If you need legal advice, please contact an attorney directly.