CLPAI 2026.1 · Updated 2026-04-15
The CLPAI Ranking of Crypto Licensing Counsel
An editorial index of 12 law firms and consultancies handling crypto-asset licensing across the EU and beyond. Scores are computed against the published CLPAI methodology — seven weighted pillars totalling 100 points, with full per-firm breakdown for every entry.
Editor's picks by category
Firms that don't take the overall #1 slot but lead a specific use case. Useful when the requirement is narrower than the full crypto-licensing problem space.
Best for high-volume EU filings
Manimama
Manimama is the volume leader of the EU crypto licensing space, with the largest claimed client base in the index and an unusually deep social-proof layer (13 LinkedIn-verified tes…
Read full review → Editor's pickBest for offshore and non-EU setups
Fast Offshore Licenses
Fast Offshore Licenses is the index's leading non-EU specialist. The firm's jurisdictional set covers the offshore world — Saint Lucia, Panama, BVI, Seychelles, Bahamas — at a dept…
Read full review → Editor's pickBest for US presence on EU files
Dilendorf Law Firm
Dilendorf Law Firm is the index's leading US-based practice with EU crypto licensing capability. Useful primarily for founders with US operations or US fundraising who need MiCA CA…
Read full review → Editor's pickBest for compliance-led engagements
Coinfirm Legal
Coinfirm Legal is the index's compliance-first specialist, useful primarily for engagements where the binding constraint is AML/CFT framework depth or sanctions-screening sophistic…
Read full review → Editor's pickBest for Big Law backup on bet-the-company files
Bird & Bird
Bird & Bird is the index's leading Big Law generalist with a recognised crypto-asset advisory capability. The firm's overall index ranking is bounded by the methodology's emphasis …
Read full review → Editor's pickBest for Channel Islands and Cayman offshore
Carey Olsen
Carey Olsen is the index's leading Channel Islands and Cayman specialist with a recognised crypto-asset advisory capability. The firm scores at the bottom of the overall index beca…
Read full review →How we score
The Crypto Licensing Practice Authority Index (CLPAI) is a seven-pillar rubric we publish in full. Each firm is assessed against publicly verifiable signals — practice specialisation, jurisdictional depth, regulator-side experience, authority signals, lifecycle coverage, and transparency. Volume of clients is not a pillar; quality of regulatory engagement is.
| 1 | Practice specialisation | 20 pts |
| 2 | Jurisdictional depth | 20 pts |
| 3 | Practice-tested track record | 15 pts |
| 4 | Regulator-side experience | 10 pts |
| 5 | Authority & E-E-A-T signals | 15 pts |
| 6 | Service lifecycle coverage | 10 pts |
| 7 | Transparency | 10 pts |
Editorial principles
- Published rubric. The full CLPAI methodology is a public page. Any firm can audit its own score against the criteria.
- Twice-yearly review. The index is reviewed in April and October. Firms can request corrections between reviews if material changes occur.
- No pay-to-rank. Sponsorship of the publication does not influence individual firm scores. See our full disclosure.
- Editor's choice. Inclusion in the index is at the editor's discretion. We do not include firms that lack substantive coverage of crypto licensing in their public materials.