LEI and MiCA / Crypto-Asset Service Providers (CASPs)
In the crypto-asset sector the LEI is becoming a standard compliance element, as the EU's MiCA regulation introduces clear requirements for crypto-asset service providers.
What MiCA and CASP mean
MiCA (Markets in Crypto-Assets) is the EU regulation governing crypto-asset markets. It defines the "crypto-asset service provider" (CASP) — a firm that, for example, provides custody of crypto-assets, a trading platform, or exchange services.
How the LEI fits
Under MiCA, the LEI becomes part of the compliance baseline for regulated crypto firms. It lets regulators unambiguously identify a CASP and trace its corporate structure, just as in traditional financial markets.
Who it applies to
If your company plans to operate as a CASP or already provides crypto-asset services in the EU, an LEI will be part of the compliance prerequisites. In Belgium, supervision of crypto-asset service providers falls to the FSMA (the Financial Services and Markets Authority).
See also Who needs an LEI? and What is a vLEI?