Crypto-assets are no longer a niche topic, especially among young investors. People often ask which companies are permitted to offer services for the buying, selling and custody of crypto-assets, as what requirements they have to adhere to when doing so. In the latest edition of its consumer information series “Let’s talk about money”, the Austrian Financial Market Authority (FMA) explains how you can tell if a provider is licensed as well as how to check their authorisation.
A harmonised European legal framework has existed for crypto-asset service providers (CASPs) since 2025 following the entry into force of the Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (MiCAR). In Austria, the FMA authorised eight crypto-asset service providers (CASPs) up until the end of 2025, and there are now nine such providers. Seven of these providers also use EU passporting to provide activities on a cross-border basis. The assets managed by Austrian CASPs stood at over EUR 4.4 billion at the end of 2025, with around one million users trading at least once in 2025. In addition, 93 European CAPS are currently allowed to provide their services in Austria.
Authorisation – granted by the FMA in Austria – ensures that providers are subjected to comprehensive checks prior to commencing their activities, in terms of their organisational structure, financial capacity, IT security and governance. Licensed CASPs are required to fulfil legal requirements at all times, such as holding client funds and crypto-assets separately and securely, in relation to risk management, and to inform their clientèle in a transparent manner.
“Let’s talk about money” also tackles the issue of crypto fraud. Providers with a fraudulent intent frequently give a professional impression, and are very difficult to tell apart from serious offerings. The FMA explains how to check a provider’s authorisation as well as the differences that exist between regulated providers within the European Economic Area (EEA) and providers in third countries.
The current edition of “Let’s talk about money” can be found in English, along with all past editions on the website https://redenwiruebergeld.fma.gv.at/en. “Let’s talk about money” can also be found on Instagram under @redenwiruebergeld. Consumers can find information about providers’ authorisations in the FMA Company Database.
Journalists may address further enquiries to:
Boris Gröndahl (FMA Media Spokesperson)
+43 1 24959-6010
+43 676 8824 9995
E-Mail: [email protected]