Crypto business owners who seek more understandable frameworks for building and authorizing their startups are getting more and more interested in the Georgia FIZ crypto license, an offshore alternative to the country’s mainland crypto permit. What is it and how can it contribute to the legality of your company’s operations? Answering the questions in comprehensive terms.
What is the Georgia FIZ Crypto License?
The Georgia FIZ crypto license is a special type of crypto legal permit offered by the Tbilisi Free Industrial Zone. It is Georgia’s special economic area that has its own regulatory regime and taxation rules. Even though this license has a way simpler authorization process and milder requirements, locally registered businesses get a right to engage in all the main types of crypto activities, including building crypto-to-crypto and crypto-to-fiat exchanges, providing custodial services, engaging in ITO, ICO, and mining crypto.
What are the benefits of obtaining a Georgia FIZ Crypto License?
The main benefit of opening a crypto company in the Georgia FIZ is its cost-effectiveness. There is no share capital requirement, and licensing fees are relatively low compared to those of the mainland Georgia VASP license. Besides, the licensing procedure itself is very fast and comprehensive even for first-time entrepreneurs: there is no obligatory AML/CFT compliance requirement and no physical office requirement; instead, it is enough to obtain a legal address anywhere in Georgia.
How does the Georgia FIZ Crypto License differ from a traditional crypto license in Georgia?
The Georgia Free Industrial Zone (FIZ) crypto license differs from a traditional crypto license in Georgia primarily in its regulatory scope, tax benefits, and operational framework. Issued within the designated Tbilisi Free Zone, this license allows companies to engage in cryptocurrency-related activities under a favorable tax regime, including exemptions from VAT and corporate income tax.
In contrast, the traditional crypto license in Georgia, regulated under broader financial frameworks, imposes stricter compliance requirements and standard tax obligations, including the corporate income tax of 15%. In addition, there is a mandatory starting share capital requirement of 5.000 GEL, which equals around 1.750 EUR.
What are the requirements for obtaining a Georgia FIZ Crypto License?
In order to acquire the Georgia FIZ crypto license, applicants must meet the main licensing requirements and comply with the ongoing obligations. The first step of the licensing procedures involves the incorporation of a company in the country with a legal address. Then, one must prepare a basic set of legal paperwork that includes Power of Attorney and identity documents of all beneficiaries and key directors (notarized passport copies). The overall process is extremely fast as it doesn’t involve such time-consuming obligations as AML/CFT compliance, a physical office requirement, or a share capital requirement.
What are the tax implications of operating a crypto business under a Georgia FIZ Crypto License?
The main reason why so many crypto startups choose the Georgia FIZ license is that it offers a way more beneficial taxation regime compared to the Georgia VASP license. Both the corporate income tax (CIT) and VAT in the Tbilisi Free Zone are at 0%. However, in the case of distributing dividends, the taxation rate is 15%.
How long does it take to obtain a Georgia FIZ Crypto License?
The licensing application process for the Georgia FIZ crypto license is one of the fastest in Asia. Given that the main application requirements are company formation and submitting legal documentation, the whole procedure normally takes no more than 2-3 business weeks. However, this period is more likely to go through without delays and other inconsistencies if a trusted legal partner, such as a law company, is helping you draft and submit the licensing application.
What are the potential risks and challenges associated with obtaining and operating under a Georgia FIZ Crypto License?
Despite the overall ease of the licensing process and obvious tax benefits of the Georgia FIZ license, there are still obvious risks associated with securing this permit. The most prominent risk is the requirement to renew your license and legal address a year after obtaining the permit: in case a company skips the renewal requirement, the license might be considered void and even incur a fine for non-compliance. Among other risks is a dependency on the specific Free Industrial Zone’s policies, which may limit operational flexibility. Additionally, while tax benefits are attractive, the FIZ license might deem your company less trustworthy in the eyes of foreign regulators in jurisdictions with stricter compliance requirements.
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