Digital Assets Laws & Regulations

Slovakia

Chapters & Answers

12 chapters with 56 sections

1.1

What is the general regulatory environment for digital assets in your jurisdiction?

Slovakia has moved from a relatively light domestic regime for virtual-asset businesses to a substantially more developed regulatory framework based primarily on the European Union's Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation ("MiCA").

The National Bank of Slovakia ("NBS") is the principal competent authority for crypto-assets. It supervises crypto-asset serviceproviders ("CASPs"), issuers of asset-referenced tokens and electronic money tokens, and the implementation of the relevant MiCA requirements in Slovakia.

Since the Slovak transitional period expired on 30 December 2025, businesses can no longer rely on the previous virtual-currency trade-licence regime. Crypto-asset services may now be provided only by an appropriately authorised CASP, a qualifying financial institution operating under MiCA's notification regime, or an EU-authorised provider passporting its services into Slovakia.

Contributing Editors

Peter Varga

Highgate Group

Peter Varga is co-founder and Partner at Highgate Law & Tax and CEO and founder of Highgate Accounting, a tax and accounting firm, uniquely combining legal, tax, accounting and regulatory expertise under one roof. He is particularly recognised in Slovakia for providing in-depth legal, tax and regulatory advice on complex and innovative structures across fintech, capital markets, investment funds, crypto-asset platforms, SMEs and venture capital companies. After graduating in law, Peter worked for several years at the leading international law firm Dentons as a trainee solicitor and later as an attorney-at-law. He spent some of that time in its Warsaw office, where he worked on international tax law and structuring. His tenure at one of the best law firms in the world gave him insight into the largest transactions in Slovakia, extensive knowledge and know-how and the opportunity to work with the best attorneys on major financial and tax transactions. Peter’s practice is distinguished by his interdisciplinary approach that combines legal, tax, and accounting insight, making him a go-to adviser for strategic structuring, regulatory authorisations (MiCA, AIFMD, MiFID II), tax optimisation and investment fund set-ups. His client base includes both domestic and cross-border entities, ranging from SMEs to private equity and financial institutions. Peter leads the Capital Markets Department at Highgate Law & Tax. He led his team to winning the best law firm in Slovakia award for capital markets for three consecutive years (2024–2026) and for tax law (2023 and 2024) in a Slovak law firm competition organised by publishing house EPRAVO Group.

Roman Baranec

Highgate Group

Roman Baranec is a Senior Associate at Highgate Law & Tax. He has been providing legal advice since 2012 and focuses his practice mainly on financial regulation and capital markets. He assists clients in selecting and setting up the appropriate regulatory structure for their business models, in the creation and operation of investment funds, in bond financing, as well as in the areas of crypto-asset regulation, crowdfunding and payment services. Within the framework of the above activities, he represents clients in authorisation, registration and sanction proceedings before the National Bank of Slovakia. Before joining Highgate in 2021, Roman spent six years at the international property development group HB Reavis, providing legal advice in M&A, capital markets and investment structuring, including bond listings in Bratislava and Prague as well as regulatory support in fund-related transactions. During his time at Highgate, he has led a team of lawyers in licensing proceedings under AIFMD, MiFID II and the MiCA Regulation and was involved in obtaining the first crypto-asset service licences in Central Europe. He represented a client in obtaining permissions to manage alternative investment funds and foreign alternative investment funds, as well as in the subsequent obtaining of permissions to establish retail alternative investment funds. He also advised on the first prospectus issue of tokenised bonds in Slovakia.

Vladimír Gaduš

Highgate Group

Vladimir Gaduš is a Senior Associate at Highgate Law & Tax, specialising in the fields of software law, information technology, AML regulation and digital compliance. Within his AML practice, Vladimir guides applicants through licensingproceedings before the National Bank of Slovakia, and also advisesclients on day-to-day AML compliance issues. He supports businesses in building robust internal AML processes and preparing mandatory documentation that meets both Slovak and EU regulatory requirements. Before joining Highgate in 2022, Vladimir gained professional experience at Slovak law firms Majerník & Miháliková(2017–2020) and HKV Law Firm(2020–2022). During this time, heworked across corporateand regulatory matters, with a particular focus on compliance and the design of AML processes. At Highgate, Vladimir is part of the Capital Markets Department, where he contributes to drafting AML documentation, shaping compliance frameworks, and advising clients on the application of the EU Travel Rule.

Digital Assets Laws & Regulations

Chapters & Answers

Introduction

What is the general regulatory environment for digital assets in your jurisdiction?

Regulatory Framework

Market Access and Licensing

Security and Consumer Protection

Blockchain and Smart Contracts

Cross-Border and International Considerations

Investment and Fundraising

Taxation

Enforcement and Dispute Resolution

Opportunities and Challenges

Emerging Trends

Conclusion