The short answer
To check if a provider is authorized in Austria, use the official FMA Company Database. You can access this directly through the FMA website or the inter-institutional platform oesterreich.gv.at. Verify whether the provider is registered for the specific service they are offering, and be wary of companies that claim to be regulated without appearing in these official records.
Verifying the legitimacy of a financial services provider is a crucial step for any consumer in Austria. The Financial Market Authority (FMA) provides centralized tools to help you determine if a company is authorized to conduct business in the country.
Because crypto-assets involve specific risks and varying levels of legal protection under European frameworks like MiCA, it is essential to check if a provider is properly supervised. Authorized entities appear in official registers that are accessible to the public.
01Using the FMA Company Database
The FMA maintains a comprehensive Company Database, which is the primary source for checking an entity's status in Austria. This database allows users to quickly determine if a company or individual has the required license for financial services.
In addition to the database, the FMA provides a 'Broker Query' function (Wertpapiervermittlerabfrage), which allows you to verify if an individual is registered as an investment advisor.
- Visit the official FMA website at fma.gv.at
- Access the 'Company Database' section to search for entities
- Use the 'Broker Query' for checking individual advisors
- Review current investor warnings published on the site
- Check for official status updates regarding licenses
Source for this section[1] Austrian FMA: official company database explanation
02Administrative Access via oesterreich.gv.at
The FMA’s services, including investor warnings and company information, are now integrated into the 'oesterreich.gv.at' platform. This portal provides a centralized point for citizens to access public administration data.
Whether you are using a desktop or the 'Digitales Amt' app, you can find information about authorized financial providers through this unified cross-portal search.
- Access information through oesterreich.gv.at or the Digitales Amt app
- Browse the 'Services for Investors' section
- Utilize the cross-portal search to verify service providers
- View official FMA consumer information and alerts
- Identify authorized entities using centrally accessible, verified links
Source for this section[1] Austrian FMA: official company database explanation
03Understanding EU-Level Supervision and MiCA
Crypto-assets and providers are subject to the Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) regulation, which aims to provide consistent supervision across the EU. While this framework increases clarity, it is important to remember that protection levels may vary depending on the asset type.
Consumers should verify that a provider is authorized within the EU. The European Supervisory Authorities (ESAs) have issued warnings that legal protection may be limited, making individual due diligence essential.
- MiCA establishes a uniform supervisory regime across the EU
- Not all crypto-assets are regulated in the same way
- Review ESAs factsheets for consumer protection details
- Check for authorizations within the relevant EU jurisdiction
- Be aware of the distinction between regulated and unregulated assets
Source for this section[3] European Supervisory Authorities: crypto risks and protections
04Hypothetical Verification Checklist
Suppose you are looking at a platform called 'ExampleCrypto'. Before depositing funds, follow this procedure. First, search for 'ExampleCrypto' in the FMA Company Database. Second, check if the website address you are on matches the official entry.
If the company claims to be an 'EU-authorized exchange,' look for a registration number on their site and verify that number against the list provided by the regulatory authority in that member state.
- Verify the entity name against the FMA official company list
- Confirm the website address corresponds exactly with the official database
- Check for any current regulatory warnings against the entity
- Verify registration numbers with the relevant national authority
- Ensure the firm is authorized for the specific service being used
Source for this section[1] Austrian FMA: official company database explanation
05Responding to Unverified Entities
If you cannot find a provider in the FMA database or the company fails to provide a valid, verifiable registration, you should treat the entity with extreme caution. The absence of a license is a major indicator of potential fraud.
You can report suspected unauthorized activities directly to the FMA. The FMA monitors the market and issues warnings about financial service providers that operate without proper authorization.
- Do not proceed if the provider is missing from the database
- Report unauthorized entities to the FMA
- Cross-check suspicious provider details with ESMA alerts
- Avoid financial services that lack clear jurisdictional oversight
- Maintain records of all interactions if you suspect unauthorized activity
Sources for this section[1] Austrian FMA: official company database explanation[2] Austrian FMA: complaints and consumer enquiries
Checklist
- Search for the company name in the FMA Company Database.
- Check the FMA website for active investor warnings.
- Verify the provider’s website against the address in the database.
- Use the Broker Query tool to verify individual advisors.
- Access the oesterreich.gv.at portal for authorized lists.
- Ensure the firm is authorized for the crypto services offered.
- Report any suspicious or unlicensed activity to the FMA.
Questions people ask
If a company is not in the FMA Company Database, does that mean it is a scam?
Not necessarily, but it means they are not authorized by the FMA to operate in Austria. You should be extremely cautious and avoid financial transactions with any company that is not appropriately licensed or registered.
Does being registered with the FMA mean my investment is safe?
Registration with the FMA confirms the entity is authorized to provide services, but it does not guarantee the safety of your specific investment. All financial investments carry risk, and crypto-assets can be particularly volatile.
Where can I report a crypto company that is operating without a license?
You can report unauthorized financial service providers through the FMA’s consumer enquiry and complaint channels. Providing details helps the FMA track and warn others about these entities.
Safety boundaries
- No legitimate helper needs your seed phrase, private key, password, one-time code, remote access to your device or a wallet connection.
- Nobody can promise that funds will be recovered. Treat any guarantee, or any fee demanded to release funds, with suspicion.
- Find official contact details yourself, through the regulator, bank or platform website, not through a message or advert you received.
- This guide is general education. It is not legal, financial or tax advice and does not assess your situation.
If you want to organise your facts, the initial claim outline on our homepage collects only a short summary and contact details. It creates no client relationship and promises no outcome. Do not send documents or credentials.
Official sources
- [1]Austrian FMA: official company database explanation
Checked 4 October 2026 - [2]Austrian FMA: complaints and consumer enquiries
Checked 4 October 2026 - [3]European Supervisory Authorities: crypto risks and protections
Checked 4 October 2026
AI-assisted educational content published by Central Crypto Claim using the official sources listed below. No independent expert review is claimed. This is not legal, financial or tax advice.