Central Bank of Latvia highlights free pre-licensing consultations, EKS access and MiCA authorisation as key draws for fintechs

The Central Bank of Latvia published an overview explaining why Latvia is increasingly being chosen for fintech licensing and EU expansion, pointing to early supervisor engagement, a transparent authorisation pathway and direct access to central-bank payment infrastructure. It also outlines Latvia’s role in crypto-asset service provider authorisation under the European Union Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation. Key features cited include free pre-application consultations (in person or remote) to clarify expectations, documentation and governance standards before formal submission, alongside publicly available supervisory guidance and indicative timelines to support planning. For payments, the Bank highlights the option for eligible non-bank payment service providers to participate directly in the Electronic Clearing System, enabling execution of SEPA credit transfers, including instant payments, via central-bank infrastructure. The overview also notes alignment with EU-standard capital, safeguarding, anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing and reporting requirements, and reduced supervisory fees for certain innovative payment models. For crypto-assets, the Bank reports that it has accepted MiCA authorisation applications since early 2025, issued two licences in 2025, and has additional applicants in licensing and pre-licensing processes, with authorised firms able to passport services across the EU.