Suriname
Retail_Trading_Status
- Analysis ID
- #797
- Version
- Archived
- Created
- 2025-12-12 05:16
- Run
- 9406b9b4...
- History
- View all versions
- Workflow Stage
- Step 1
Executive Summary
Retail cryptocurrency trading in Suriname is currently in a regulatory gray zone as the country transitions toward a formal framework. While not explicitly banned, the Central Bank of Suriname (CBvS) has issued a mandatory registration call for Virtual Asset Service Providers (VASPs) in late 2025 as a precursor to enacting a draft law. VASPs are currently operating without formal licenses but are subject to identification requirements under the purview of the Central Bank and existing AML/CFT statutes.
Key Pillars
Primary Regulator: Centrale Bank van Suriname (CBvS)
Mandatory Registration: Census/Registration call issued in October 2025
AML/CFT Compliance: Subject to the 'Wet ter voorkoming en bestrijding van Money Laundering en Terrorismefinanciering'
Pending Legislation: Draft VASP regulation law (geconcipieerd) currently under review
Landmark Laws
Central Bank Act 2022 (S.B. 2023 no. 65) - Enacted: 2023-01-01
- Establishes the mandate of the CBvS, including its supervisory role over the financial system and authority to request information from market participants (Article 10).
- Source
Anti-Money Laundering and Combatting the Financing of Terrorism Act (S.B. 2022 no. 138 (Amended by S.B. 2024 no. 99)) - Enacted: 2022-11-01
- The primary AML/CFT statute. Article 38 provides the legal basis for the Central Bank to supervise and require registration from entities for AML purposes, recently applied to VASPs.
Call for Registration: Virtual Asset Service Providers (CBvS Announcement) - Enacted: 2025-10-13
- A formal notice requiring all crypto exchanges and wallet providers to register with the CBvS by November 17, 2025, to facilitate the consultation process for a new draft law.
- Source
Considerations
No formal licenses are currently issued; the registration is a census measure.
The CBvS has explicitly warned it does not invest in Bitcoin, countering local rumors.
VASPs are expected to comply with AML/CFT norms despite the lack of a tailored licensing regime.
A draft law regulating VASPs exists but has not yet been enacted by the National Assembly.
Notes
The regulatory status is fluid. The recent registration deadline (Nov 17, 2025) suggests that enforcement actions against non-registered entities could commence shortly. The 'Gray-Zone' classification is due to the existence of a draft law and registration requirement without a completed licensing cycle.
Remaining Uncertainties
- When will the drafted VASP law be formally enacted by the National Assembly?
- Will the registration lead to a grandfathering clause for existing entities or a requirement to re-apply for a full license?
- Are foreign exchanges (e.g., Binance) subject to the registration requirement if they have no physical presence but serve Surinamese residents?
Full Analysis Report
Full Analysis Report
As of December 2025, Suriname's cryptocurrency market operates in a regulatory 'Gray-Zone.' The Central Bank of Suriname (CBvS) has moved away from a purely hands-off approach ('Allowed-UnRegulated') but has not yet established a fully operational licensing regime ('Allowed-Regulated'). The regulatory environment is characterized by a transition phase where authorities are actively identifying market participants and preparing specific legislation.
In October 2025, the CBvS issued a formal 'Call for Registration' (Oproep tot Registratie) to all Virtual Asset Service Providers (VASPs). This directive, grounded in Article 10 of the Central Bank Act 2022 and Article 38 of the AML/CFT Act, required entities offering exchange, custody, or payment services for virtual assets to register their details with the Bank's Supervision Directorate by November 17, 2025. The stated purpose of this registration was to identify stakeholders for consultation on a newly drafted law ('een wet is geconcipieerd') designed to regulate the sector.
While retail trading is not criminalized, the lack of issued licenses means that exchanges operate without formal prudential supervision. The CBvS has emphasized its mandate to maintain financial stability and has previously issued warnings clarifying that it does not hold or invest in Bitcoin, distancing itself from rumors of state-level adoption. The registration requirement indicates that the 'wild west' era is ending, and entities failing to register may face enforcement actions under general AML statutes.
The regulatory framework relies heavily on the Anti-Money Laundering and Combatting the Financing of Terrorism Act (S.B. 2022 no. 138, amended in 2024). This legislation designates the CBvS as the supervisor for financial institutions and provides the legal hook for bringing VASPs under the regulatory umbrella even before the specific VASP law is passed. Consequently, while users can legally trade, they do so on platforms that are in a probationary status with the regulator.
As of December 2025, Suriname's cryptocurrency market operates in a regulatory 'Gray-Zone.' The Central Bank of Suriname (CBvS) has moved away from a purely hands-off approach ('Allowed-UnRegulated') but has not yet established a fully operational licensing regime ('Allowed-Regulated'). The regulatory environment is characterized by a transition phase where authorities are actively identifying market participants and preparing specific legislation.
In October 2025, the CBvS issued a formal 'Call for Registration' (Oproep tot Registratie) to all Virtual Asset Service Providers (VASPs). This directive, grounded in Article 10 of the Central Bank Act 2022 and Article 38 of the AML/CFT Act, required entities offering exchange, custody, or payment services for virtual assets to register their details with the Bank's Supervision Directorate by November 17, 2025. The stated purpose of this registration was to identify stakeholders for consultation on a newly drafted law ('een wet is geconcipieerd') designed to regulate the sector.
While retail trading is not criminalized, the lack of issued licenses means that exchanges operate without formal prudential supervision. The CBvS has emphasized its mandate to maintain financial stability and has previously issued warnings clarifying that it does not hold or invest in Bitcoin, distancing itself from rumors of state-level adoption. The registration requirement indicates that the 'wild west' era is ending, and entities failing to register may face enforcement actions under general AML statutes.
The regulatory framework relies heavily on the Anti-Money Laundering and Combatting the Financing of Terrorism Act (S.B. 2022 no. 138, amended in 2024). This legislation designates the CBvS as the supervisor for financial institutions and provides the legal hook for bringing VASPs under the regulatory umbrella even before the specific VASP law is passed. Consequently, while users can legally trade, they do so on platforms that are in a probationary status with the regulator.
Source Evidence
Primary and secondary sources cited in this analysis
"De Centrale Bank van Suriname roept virtuele activa dienstverleners als voornoemd op om zich te registreren, aangezien er thans een wet is geconcipieerd, die virtuele activa dienstverlening in Suriname zal reguleren..."
"Ingevolge artikel 10 van de Centrale Bankwet 2022..."
"Naast betaaldienstverleners is het voor Suriname ook van belang om te werken aan een wettelijk kader voor de zgn. virtual asset service providers (VASP's)..."
"As of 2025, cryptocurrency remains in a legal gray area in Suriname, with no specific laws or regulations that explicitly permit or prohibit the use of digital currencies."
"Suriname was rated as having a low level of effectiveness with respect to supervision of financial institutions..."
Web Sources (12)
Sources discovered via web search grounding
Search queries used (9)
- Suriname cryptocurrency regulation status
- Suriname virtual asset service provider law
- legal status of bitcoin in Suriname
- Centrale Bank van Suriname crypto warning
- Suriname FATF mutual evaluation report virtual assets
- Suriname crypto tax laws
- Centrale Bank van Suriname "OPROEP TOT REGISTRATIE" VIRTUELE ACTIVA DIENSTVERLENERS
- Suriname central bank crypto prohibition banks
- CBvS circular virtual assets
https://www.oas.org/es/sla/dlc/mesicic/docs/Anexo_5_Mesicic_Surinam.pdf
https://www.cbvs.sr/error-404?view=category&id=65
https://www.cbn.gov.ng/out/2024/fprd/guidelines%20on%20operations%20of%20bank%20accounts%20for%20virtual%20asset%20providers.pdf
https://www.cbvs.sr/recente-artikelen/3098-oproep-tot-registratie-virtuele-activa-dienstverleners
https://www.cbvs.sr/images/content/2024/Diverse/Central-Bank-Act-2022.pdf
https://www.fintechlawblog.com/2024/02/15/sfc-circular-on-sfc-authorized-funds-with-exposure-to-virtual-assets-part-1/
https://apps.sfc.hk/edistributionWeb/gateway/EN/circular/doc?refNo=23EC47
https://cryptonomadhub.io/countries/sr
https://justice.gov.nr/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Virtual-Asset-Service-Provider-Policy.pdf
https://cryptotvplus.com/2024/11/suriname-presidential-candidate-aims-to-replace-central-bank-with-bitcoin/
https://www.ciat.org/ciatblog-a-look-at-the-regulation-of-crypto-assets/?lang=en
https://blog.mexc.com/wiki/is-crypto-legal-in-suriname/