Is crypto legal in Lithuania?

Yes, crypto is legal in Lithuania. People can buy, hold and sell bitcoin and other crypto, and the Bank of Lithuania supervises crypto companies under the EU's MiCA regulation. As of October 2026, only providers with a MiCA licence can legally offer crypto services there.

Is bitcoin legal in Lithuania?

Yes. No Lithuanian rule bans owning bitcoin. The Bank of Lithuania described virtual currency in 2017 as digital money that may be used for payments but is not issued or guaranteed by a central bank. Its focus has been on the businesses that serve users rather than on ownership. Tax applies to gains and is explained in how crypto is taxed in Lithuania.

Is crypto trading legal in Lithuania?

Yes, when the platform is licensed. The Bank of Lithuania says crypto services are legal if the provider holds a MiCA licence issued in Lithuania or another EU member state, and it supervises only MiCA-licensed firms. It keeps a list of licensed providers on its website.

Before MiCA, Lithuania was a popular base. Crypto Briefing reported that more than 370 companies were registered to offer crypto services in mid-2025, but only about 120 were actively operating. In July 2025, the central bank told investors to check whether their provider planned to get licensed and to move assets before the deadline if not. Providers leaving the market were expected to transfer clients' crypto to a licensed firm or a self-hosted wallet on request.

Is cryptocurrency legal in Lithuania for crypto companies?

Only with a licence. ESMA's list shows Lithuania settled on a 12-month transition, and LRT reported that the country first chose a shorter period before extending it. The transition ended on December 31, 2025. Since January 1, 2026, providing crypto services without a MiCA licence has been prohibited. Crypto Briefing reported that authorities can respond with fines, blocked websites, public warnings and criminal penalties of up to four years in prison.

By January 2026, only three firms held Lithuanian MiCA licences, according to LRT: Robinhood Europe, Nuvei Liquidity and Decentralized, which runs the Coingate brand. The Bank of Lithuania had received more than 100 applications from nearly 60 companies. It also said neither Binance nor its Lithuanian-linked company Bifinity held a MiCA licence, so neither could provide crypto services in Lithuania. Firms licensed elsewhere in the EU can still serve Lithuanian clients. More context on that exchange is in why Binance is banned in some countries.

Rules differ by country and change often. Check the regulator or a qualified professional for your own situation.