March 2026

Romania continues to consolidate its position as a proactive fintech jurisdictions in CEE. With a high consumer adoption rate and a regulatory environment moving toward full alignment with EU standards, the market offers significant opportunities for both local innovators and cross-border providers or investors.

In the latest Romania Chapter for Lexology In-Depth: FinTech Law, Andrei Cosma, Adela Nuță and Cosmin Todirașcu analyze the notable shifts that occurred during the past 18 months*, providing a technical overview of Romania’s FinTech legal framework. Insights into GEO 10/2025, CASP compliance, DORA implementation, and the 2026 tax landscape.

Key Regulatory Points of Reference:

• The Transition to MiCA (GEO 10/2025): Romania has opted for the “grandfathering” period, maintaining flexibility for crypto-assets until July 1, 2026. The Emergency Ordinance No. 10/2025 has shifted the landscape from a stalled local licensing requirement to a compliance-driven fast-track regime. Crypto-asset service providers (CASPs) are now classified as “financial institutions” under AML law, focusing on governance and cybersecurity rather than prior national authorization.
• Operational Resilience (DORA): Since the beginning of 2025, the Digital Operational Resilience Act (DORA) has harmonized ICT risk management. For Romanian fintech-concerned companies, digital resilience is now core regulatory requirement supervised by the National Bank of Romania (BNR).
• The 2025–2030 AML Strategy: The new National AML/CFT Strategy signals a shift toward technology-driven prevention. Operators should expect increased scrutiny on transaction monitoring and data governance through integrated IT systems.
• Digital Identity & Onboarding: With the nationwide rollout of the state-issued electronic ID card in mid-2025, the infrastructure for fully digitized onboarding is advancing, provided it meets the video-identification standards set by the National Authority for Digitalization (ADR).

A note on the taxation of crypto-assets: the tax treatment of cryptocurrencies and tokens is governed by the Fiscal Code and interpretative guidelines issued by the National Agency for Fiscal Administration (ANAF). The applicable rules differ depending on whether the taxpayer is an individual or a legal entity, as well as on the nature of the activity and the characteristics of the crypto-asset involved.

Our edge on the current state of play?

Romania’s approach is now defined by ‘substance-over-form’. Whether a service is AI-driven or blockchain-based, its legal treatment depends on its functional alignment with regulated financial services.

*information is valid as of January 2026. The content of this material is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances. For an updated specific input, please contact our team.

The material, part of the comparative legal guides series produced by Lexology In-Depth, adds to the 25 jurisdictions included in the 2026 repository and is available HERE.

(Note: Complimentary access is available for a limited period.)