Kosovo requires a separate central bank licence for crypto ATMs, and the first crypto licence was reported in July 2026
Kosovo’s Law on Crypto-Assets lists a licence for crypto ATMs. The Central Bank’s licensing regulation sets minimum capital at EUR 125,000 and requires a separate licence for ATM services. The application deadline passed in early 2026. A first crypto licence was reported in July 2026, and no ATM licence was found.
● Orange
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EUR 125,000
Minimum capital for an exchange licence, paid in cash
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1 Mar 2026
Application deadline for existing operators, as reported
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0
Crypto ATM licences found in sources reviewed
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Kosovo's Law on Crypto-Assets lists a licence for crypto ATMs.1 The Central Bank's licensing regulation sets minimum capital at EUR 125,000 and requires a separate licence for ATM services.3 The application deadline passed in early 2026.5 A first crypto licence was reported in July 2026, and no ATM licence was found.6,7
Last updated: October 2026
Regulatory Framework
Law No. 08/L-295 on Crypto-Assets is dated 31 October 2024 and was published in Official Gazette No. 21 on 22 November 2024.1,2 Article 35 makes it enter into force 15 days after publication, which is early December 2024.1 Article 4 bans issuing, trading, distributing or storing crypto-assets without a licence or authorisation.1
The Central Bank of Kosovo (CBK) issues licences and authorisations after consulting the Financial Intelligence Unit, and keeps the public register of holders (Articles 14 and 20).1 Article 5 sets out licence types. They include exchange trading platforms, issuers of digital tokens, and, under point 1.3, "licensing for the operation of crypto-ATM or cryptocurrency ATMs". The Albanian text reads "kriptoatm apo bankomatëve të kriptovalutave".1,2 The law does not define an ATM, sets no capital figure, and leaves the detailed criteria to CBK by-laws.1
Providing services without a licence is a minor offence. Fines for a legal person run from EUR 5,000 to EUR 20,000 (Article 32).1
The CBK Licensing Regulation
The CBK Board approved the Regulation on Licensing of Crypto-Assets Service Operators Providing Crypto-Assets Exchange Services on 29 August 2025, and the CBK announced it on 25 September 2025.3,4 The CBK says it follows the law and MiCA, with IMF help on the drafting, and calls it the first step towards licensing.4 Article 23 makes it effective 90 days after Board approval, which is late November 2025.3
The exchange licence covers crypto-assets for cash, including ATMs, and crypto-assets for other crypto-assets (Article 4).3 Minimum capital is EUR 125,000, paid in cash with proof of source and a bank certificate, plus an initial-expenses fund of at least 20% of that amount for new applications (Article 9).3 The CBK checks completeness within 25 working days and decides within 60 working days of a complete application. Licences have no expiry date (Article 6).3 The application fee is set by the CBK, and no amount appears in the text (Article 20).3
For machines, Article 15 allows a licensed operator to offer services through ATMs and requires a separate CBK licence for ATM services. It also requires contracts with licensed cash-in-transit companies and says the CBK will set cash limits for ATMs and vaults by instruction.3 The same article requires transactions above EUR 1,000 to be made by transfer from a payment account. The text reviewed does not say how this applies to ATMs.3 Prices must be visible at offices and ATMs (Article 8).3
Timeline
| Date | What happened |
|---|---|
| 22 Nov 2024 | Law on Crypto-Assets published in the Official Gazette1 |
| 29 Aug 2025 | CBK Board approves the licensing regulation3 |
| 25 Sep 2025 | CBK announces the regulation4 |
| Late Nov 2025 | Regulation takes effect, 90 days after approval3. A media report gives 29 November 20255 |
| 1 Mar 2026 | Deadline for existing operators to apply and comply, as reported. After it, unlicensed activity is treated as a violation5 |
| Jul 2026 | First CBK licence for crypto services reported, to CoinPrime6,7 |
Article 21 of the regulation gives institutions subject to licensing 90 days from entry into force to take steps to apply and comply.3 A media report quotes the CBK reminder with 1 March 2026 as the final date.5 The first licence is dated 9 July 2026 in one report and 27 July 2026 in another, and neither names the services covered or mentions ATMs.6,7 The CBK notice itself was not found, and the CBK register could not be checked.
Background
In 2017 the CBK said virtual money was not legally regulated, and a later statement said crypto ATMs were not non-banking payment providers needing a licence. Two machines were operating at the time (as reported).8 The 2024 law replaced that position.
What Is Not Known
No licence for ATM services was found, and the CBK register could not be checked, so the number of licence holders is unconfirmed. The regulation reviewed has no number in the text, and the CBK instructions on ATM cash limits were not found. The sources do not say whether an ATM operator holds the exchange licence and the ATM licence at once, what happens to machines operating before 1 March 2026, or how customer due diligence applies at the machine. These are questions for Kosovo counsel and the CBK.
Sources and references
1. Law No. 08/L-295 on Crypto-Assets, English text published by the Central Bank of Kosovo (PRIMARY, accessed 8 October 2026) | bqk-kos.org
2. Ligji Nr. 08/L-295 për Kripto-Asetet, Official Gazette No. 21, 22 November 2024 (PRIMARY, accessed 8 October 2026) | bqk-kos.org
3. Central Bank of Kosovo, Regulation on Licensing of Crypto-Assets Service Operators Providing Crypto-Assets Exchange Services, approved 29 August 2025 (PRIMARY, accessed 8 October 2026) | bqk-kos.org
4. Central Bank of Kosovo, first regulatory framework for crypto-assets, 25 September 2025 (PRIMARY, accessed 8 October 2026) | bqk-kos.org
5. RTV21, Without a CBK licence, crypto-asset activity after March is a violation, 22 January 2026 (SECONDARY, accessed 8 October 2026) | rtv21.tv
6. Kosovapress, CoinPrime becomes the first licensed company in Kosovo for crypto services, dated 9 July 2026 (SECONDARY, accessed 8 October 2026) | kosovapress.com
7. SeeNews, Kosovo's c-bank grants license to cryptocurrency service provider CoinPrime, 27 July 2026 (SECONDARY, accessed 8 October 2026) | seenews.com
8. Prishtina Insight, Gold Rush: How Kosovo joined the global cryptocurrency rat race, 3 August 2017 (SECONDARY, historical, accessed 8 October 2026) | prishtinainsight.com
Legal Disclaimer: This article by GENERAL BYTES is for informational purposes only and does not constitute formal legal, financial, or investment advice. Rules may change; always consult specialised local legal counsel and confirm the current position with the Central Bank of Kosovo before considering market entry.