How to Start a Crypto Business in the Netherlands

Imagine two founders who want to start a crypto business in the Netherlands. Both have the same idea, but they take different approaches.

The first founder registers a company, spends money on marketing, and prepares to launch. He believes registering a company lets him start operating, and five months later, he receives a notice from the regulator and has to stop. Why? Because registering a company doesn't let you provide crypto services. You may also need a crypto licence, depending on the services you plan to offer

The second founder follows a different approach. Before spending money on marketing or looking for customers, the founder checks the legal requirements for starting a business. This includes company registration, licensing, capital requirements, and other regulations. This approach helps the founder plan the process before launching.

If you’re planning to launch a crypto business in the Netherlands, understanding the regulatory requirements should be one of your first steps. Investing time and money before confirming the applicable licensing and registration requirements could lead to costly delays, financial losses, or regulatory action. By preparing in advance and addressing these requirements early, you can establish a stronger foundation for your business, streamline the launch process, and build trust with potential customers.

The transition period for crypto businesses in the EU ended on 1 July 2026. New crypto businesses can no longer rely on these temporary rules to operate. If your business needs a licence under MiCA, you must get the required authorisation before offering those services to customers.

So, where should you begin? Do you need to register a Dutch company first? How much capital will you need? Which licence applies to your business, and how long could the process take?

We aim to answer these questions in this post. This guide explains the steps you need to take to start a crypto business in the Netherlands, from registering your company to getting the required licence. 

So, before you spend money on your launch, make sure you know what your business needs to operate legally.

You can also book a free consultation with FirmNL to discuss how you can set up your company, handle taxes, and open a business bank account in the Netherlands. 

Do You Need a Licence to Start a Crypto Business?

Yes, you need a licence if your business provides certain crypto services to customers. The Netherlands follows an EU law called MiCA, which sets rules for businesses that offer crypto services. These rules explain which activities require a licence.

For example, if your business exchanges crypto, manages customers' crypto wallets, transfers crypto for others, or provides crypto investment advice, you may need a licence. However, if you only accept Bitcoin as payment for your own products or services, you generally do not need a MiCA licence for that activity alone. 

Before you launch, you should check which rules apply to your business and whether you need a licence.

Who Regulates Crypto Businesses in the Netherlands?

These are the three main authorities that oversee different parts of the crypto industry in the Netherlands. Whether it is AFM, DNB, or FIU, each has a different role.

1. AFM (Netherlands Authority for the Financial Markets)

The AFM is responsible for authorising crypto businesses under the EU's MiCA rules. It also checks whether crypto companies follow the rules when promoting their services. This includes how they advertise and communicate with customers.

2. DNB (Dutch Central Bank)

DNB monitors certain stablecoins and checks the financial health of crypto businesses under its supervision. Stablecoins are cryptocurrencies designed to keep their value stable, usually by linking their value to a currency like the euro.

3. FIU-Nederland (Financial Intelligence Unit)

FIU-Nederland receives reports of suspicious transactions and checks them for signs of financial crime. Crypto businesses must report suspicious transactions when required by Dutch anti-money laundering rules.‍

Steps to Start Your Crypto Business in the Netherlands

Starting a crypto business in the Netherlands involves several steps. You need to register your company, understand the licensing rules, arrange the required capital, and prepare your business before launch. Here is a simple guide to help you understand the process.

Step 1: Choose Your Crypto Services

Before registering your company, decide what services you want to offer. For example, will you help customers buy and sell crypto, manage their crypto assets, provide investment advice, or run a crypto trading platform? If you plan to become a crypto service provider in the Netherlands, check which licensing rules apply to your business.

Your choice matters because different services have different licensing rules and capital requirements. Knowing what you plan to offer will help you understand what you need before starting.

Step 2: Register Your Company in the Netherlands

Most founders choose a BV, which is a private limited company. You choose the owners and directors, prepare their ID documents, sign with a Dutch notary, and register with the Chamber of Commerce (KvK). You also need a business address and your tax registrations.

A company alone does not give you permission to offer crypto services. You still need the licence in Step 6. FirmNL can handle this step for you, including BV setup, notary coordination, VAT registration, and a registered address, often remotely.

Step 3: Arrange Your Capital

Your crypto business must have enough money to meet the regulatory requirements. This money stays in your company as a financial safety buffer. It is not a fee you pay to the regulator.

The amount you need depends on the crypto services you offer. Businesses that provide different services may have different capital requirements. Your operating costs may also affect the amount required.

Before applying for a licence, check the capital requirements for your business model with a legal adviser. 

Step 4: Build Your Team

The AFM checks the people behind the business. Your directors and main owners need a clean record and real experience. You also need someone responsible for compliance and risk. Collect CVs and clean-record certificates early, because missing papers can cause delays.

Step 5: Prepare Your Safety Policies

It is vitally important to explain in writing how you will protect customers and follow the law. You need policies for checking customer identity, stopping money laundering, reporting suspicious activity, protecting customer assets, handling complaints, and keeping your systems safe from cyber attacks.

If you run an exchange, also show that your platform treats orders fairly, stays reliable, and explains fees and risks clearly. A specialist adviser can give you templates, so you do not start from zero.

Step 6: Apply for a Licence from the AFM

The next step is to apply for a crypto licence from the AFM (Netherlands Authority for the Financial Markets).

You will need to submit documents such as your business plan, company ownership details, information about your directors, proof of capital, compliance policies, and details about your technology and security systems.

Make sure your application is complete before submitting it. The AFM may ask for more information, so respond to its questions as quickly as possible to avoid delays.

Step 7: Open a Business Bank Account

Banks may check crypto businesses carefully before opening a business bank account as a foreign founder. They may ask for your company documents, business plan, ownership details, where your money comes from, safety policies, and licence details.

Contact banks early and ask what documents you need. It is also a good idea to speak to more than one bank, as not every bank accepts crypto businesses.

Step 8: Launch and Follow the Rules

Once you have the required licence, you can prepare to launch your business. You must continue to follow the rules, keep the required capital, protect customer assets, maintain accurate records, report suspicious activity when required, and pay your taxes.

Also, plan for ongoing costs such as staff, technology, banking, legal support, and regulatory fees, including employee gross vs net salary costs in the Netherlands. FirmNL can help with tax advice, bookkeeping, annual accounts, and payroll.

It is important to complete all required company registration, licensing, and compliance steps before offering regulated crypto services to customers.

How FirmNL Can Help You Start a Crypto Business

To start your crypto business in the Netherlands, you need to take care of company registration, taxes, banking, and licensing requirements.

FirmNL helps international founders with these business tasks. We can assist you with setting up a Dutch BV, VAT registration, banking support, tax advice, bookkeeping, and payroll. 

FirmNL does not issue crypto licences or handle AFM licence applications. For these requirements, you will need a lawyer who specialises in crypto regulations. We can work alongside your legal adviser to help prepare your company while you work on the licensing process.

Take the First Step Toward Your Crypto Business

Taking the right steps at the right time matters when you want to start your crypto business. You choose your service, register your Dutch company, arrange your money and your team, prepare your safety rules, apply to the AFM, open your bank account, and then launch.

You cannot offer regulated crypto services until you get the required licence. While you wait, licensed competitors can keep serving customers across Europe. The longer you take, the more time they have to grow their business.

You do not have to solve everything today. You only have to start, and the easiest first step is setting up your Dutch company. Write down your crypto idea in one sentence, list your owners and directors, and gather their ID documents. Then let us take care of the company side while you focus on your licence plan.

Connect With FirmNL Today

We help with company setup, tax, banking coordination, and ongoing business support. It does not issue crypto licences, so work with a specialist law firm for your AFM application. This article is general information and not legal advice.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can I start a crypto business in the Netherlands if I am not Dutch?

Yes. You do not need to be Dutch or live there. You do need a Dutch company, with decision-makers working from the Netherlands, and a licence from the AFM if you serve customers. Many foreign founders can do the first company steps online.

2. Is registering a company enough to start serving customers?

No. A company is only the foundation. You must get your AFM licence before you serve any customer, because serving customers without it is against the law.

3. How Long Does It Take, and What Does It Cost?

The process may take 6–12 months. You will need money to run your business, pay for legal help, hire staff, set up systems, and cover yearly regulatory fees. Ask a specialist to estimate the time and cost for your business.

4. Will banks work with a crypto company?

Some will, but they check crypto businesses closely, so start early. Keep your ownership simple, have your business plan ready, and talk to more than one bank.

5. Can one licence let me serve customers in other EU countries?

Yes. With a MiCA licence from one EU country, you can offer your approved crypto services in other EU countries. You must notify the regulator and complete the required steps before expanding to each new country.