MiCA License vs. Other copyright Licenses – What’s the Difference?
MiCA License vs. Other copyright Licenses – What’s the Difference?
Blog Article
With the rise of global copyright regulation, businesses often wonder: How does the MiCA license compare to other copyright licenses? Whether you're thinking about Lithuania's copyright license, Estonia’s VASP registration, or the US BitLicense, this article will help you understand how MiCA stands out in 2025.
What Is the MiCA License?
The MiCA license, introduced under the EU’s Markets in copyright-Assets Regulation, is a mandatory authorization for any business offering copyright services within the EU. It applies to exchanges, wallet providers, token issuers, and more.
MiCA vs. National copyright Licenses
Before MiCA, many EU countries had their own local licensing systems. Here’s how MiCA compares to the most popular ones:
1. MiCA vs. Lithuania copyright License
Feature | MiCA License | Lithuania copyright License |
---|---|---|
EU Passporting | ✅ | ❌ |
Legal Harmonization | ✅ | ❌ |
Recognized Across EU | ✅ | ❌ |
AML Compliance | Mandatory | Mandatory |
Verdict: Lithuania’s license is faster to get but only validnationally. MiCA gives you full EU access.
2. MiCA vs. Estonia VASP Registration
Estonia has been popular due to its efficient VASP registration process, but recent tightening of rules makes MiCA more attractive.
Feature | MiCA | Estonia VASP |
---|---|---|
Valid in EU | ✅ | ❌ |
Minimum Capital | Higher | Lower |
Passporting Rights | ✅ | ❌ |
Verdict: Estonia is great for startups, but MiCA is better for scaling across Europe.
3. MiCA vs. U.S. BitLicense (New York)
BitLicense, issued by the NYDFS, is one of the toughest copyright licenses in the U.S
Feature | MiCA | BitLicense |
---|---|---|
Jurisdiction | EU | New York |
Approval Time | 3-6 months | 1+ year |
Transparency | High | High |
Global Passporting | ✅ (EU) | ❌ |
Verdict: BitLicense is strict but isolated to one U.S. state. MiCA covers 27 countries.
4. MiCA vs. UK FCA Registration
After Brexit, the UK follows its own copyright registration regime.
Feature | MiCA | FCA copyright |
---|---|---|
Passporting | ✅ | ❌ |
Consumer Protection | ✅ | ✅ |
Market Size | Large (EU) | Medium (UK only) |
Verdict: FCA is strong for UK markets, but MiCA offers broader European access.
Why MiCA Leads in 2025
Here’s why MiCA is becoming the global gold standard:
Applies across the entire European Union
- Includes detailed rules on stablecoins, token offerings, and CASPs
- Offers clear legal definitions and investor protections
- Encourages cross-border growth with passporting rights
- copyright License Comparison Table
License | Region | Passporting | Speed | EU-Wide Validity |
---|---|---|---|---|
MiCA | EU | ✅ | Moderate | ✅ |
Lithuania | Lithuania only | ❌ | Fast | ❌ |
Estonia | Estonia only | ❌ | Moderate | ❌ |
BitLicense | New York | ❌ | Slow | ❌ |
FCA | UK | ❌ | Moderate | ❌ |