Is crypto legal in Romania?

Yes, crypto is legal in Romania. People can buy, hold and sell it, and gains are taxed. What Romania lacks, as of October 2026, is the national law needed to license crypto firms under the EU's MiCA regulation, which has left its domestic crypto sector in limbo.

Is bitcoin legal in Romania?

Yes. Chambers and Partners explains that crypto can be an intangible movable asset under the Romanian Civil Code and that holding and transferring it is not prohibited. Restrictions are aimed at activities, such as providing regulated services without authorisation. The guide also says crypto-assets are not legal tender, although parties can agree to settle in crypto under freedom of contract.

Tax applies to gains, as covered in how crypto is taxed in Romania.

Is crypto illegal in Romania after July 1, 2026?

No, but unlicensed services are. Romania set an 18-month transition for existing firms, ESMA's list shows, and the EU-wide deadline passed on July 1, 2026. A draft emergency ordinance to implement MiCA had its first government reading on April 2, 2026. It would make the Financial Supervisory Authority (ASF) the main crypto regulator and the National Bank of Romania the supervisor for e-money tokens.

The ordinance was not adopted. StartupCafe reported that the government fell to a censure motion on May 5, 2026 and could only handle interim business, and that the European Commission had opened an infringement procedure against Romania. The ASF said in July that it was not designated as a competent authority, so it could not receive or decide licence applications. In late October 2026, ASF president Alexandru Petrescu said Romania must still bring the MiCA framework into national law, ACTMedia reported.

Is crypto trading legal in Romania?

Yes, for individuals. The question is which platform. Since July 1, unauthorised providers must stop taking new clients, opening accounts and promoting services, and may only close, transfer or liquidate existing positions, the ASF said, relaying ESMA guidance. Clients of unauthorised platforms lose MiCA protections such as segregation of client assets. Firms authorised in other EU countries can still serve Romanians through MiCA's passport. Profit.ro cited estimates that about 15.4% of Romanians hold crypto and that roughly 174 crypto ATMs operate in the country.

Is crypto mining legal in Romania?

None of the sources reviewed describe a Romanian ban on mining. Chambers says the law says little about mining itself, and notes that mining rewards are exempt from MiCA's white paper requirement and may fall outside VAT where there is no identifiable customer. See is crypto mining legal for other countries.

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