Aruba
Retail_Trading_Status
Status Changed
Previous status: Allowed-Regulated
Reconciled from live analysis after human review confirmed status as Allowed-Unregulated. The latest analysis incorrectly classified as Allowed-Regulated due to misinterpreting VASP AML/CFT requirements as comprehensive retail trading regulation. The CBA's own warnings confirm cryptocurrencies remain 'largely unregulated' for retail participants.
- Analysis ID
- #838
- Version
- Latest
- Created
- 2025-12-13 06:50
- Run
- 6a2ee27a...
- History
- View all versions
- Workflow Stage
- Reconciled
Executive Summary
As of December 2025, retail cryptocurrency trading in Aruba is 'Allowed-Unregulated,' meaning there are no specific laws prohibiting individuals from buying, selling, or holding cryptocurrencies. The Centrale Bank van Aruba (CBA) has issued warnings about the risks associated with cryptocurrencies but has not banned their use. While VASPs are subject to AML/CFT registration requirements since 2021, this applies to service providers, not individual retail traders. General financial laws may apply to entities facilitating crypto transactions, but there is no bespoke licensing regime for cryptocurrency exchanges or specific rules for retail crypto trading.
Key Pillars
The primary regulator is the Centrale Bank van Aruba (CBA), which focuses on cautioning the public about cryptocurrency risks. VASPs must register under AML/CFT regulations, but this does not constitute comprehensive retail trading regulation. There is no specific licensing or registration requirement for individual cryptocurrency traders. The CBA emphasizes that cryptocurrencies are not legal tender and are not supervised by the central bank.
Landmark Laws
State Ordinance for the Prevention and Combating of Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing (AML/CFT State Ordinance) (AB 2011 no. 28 (Amended 2021)) - Enacted: 2021-09-08 - Amended to include Virtual Asset Service Providers (VASPs) under CBA supervision for AML/CFT compliance only.
Considerations
Cryptocurrencies are not legal tender in Aruba. The CBA warns about high volatility, security risks, and potential illicit use. Local banks are risk-averse and may block crypto-related transactions. There are no specific consumer protections for cryptocurrency investors. The VASP registration requirement applies to service providers, not individual retail traders.
Notes
The status of 'Allowed-Unregulated' is confirmed by human verification. The CBA's VASP supervision focuses solely on AML/CFT compliance and does not create a comprehensive regulatory framework for retail trading. The CBA consistently describes cryptocurrencies as 'largely unregulated' in public warnings.
Remaining Uncertainties
- The exact number of currently registered VASPs is not publicly available
- Specific tax guidance for retail crypto investors beyond general income tax principles
Detailed Explanation
Detailed Explanation
As of December 2025, retail cryptocurrency trading in Aruba is explicitly 'Allowed-Unregulated.' This means there are no specific laws or regulations that prohibit individuals from buying, selling, or holding cryptocurrencies. The primary regulatory stance is one of caution rather than prohibition, with the Centrale Bank van Aruba (CBA) serving as the key authority issuing public warnings about the associated risks, including high volatility, security threats, and potential use for illicit activities. The CBA emphasizes that cryptocurrencies are not legal tender and are not supervised by the central bank. While Virtual Asset Service Providers (VASPs) are subject to regulatory oversight, this framework does not extend to individual retail traders, who operate without any specific licensing or registration requirements. The regulatory framework for cryptocurrency activities in Aruba is narrowly focused on anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing compliance for service providers. The landmark legislation is the State Ordinance for the Prevention and Combating of Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing (AML/CFT State Ordinance), specifically amended on September 8, 2021, to bring VASPs under the supervision of the CBA for AML/CFT purposes only. This amendment does not create a bespoke licensing regime for cryptocurrency exchanges or establish rules for retail trading. General financial laws may apply to entities facilitating crypto transactions, but there is no comprehensive regulatory framework governing the activity of individual investors. Important practical considerations include the risk-averse stance of local banks, which may block crypto-related transactions, and the absence of specific consumer protections for cryptocurrency investors.
Summary Points
I. Regulatory Status
* Retail cryptocurrency trading is Allowed-Unregulated as of December 2025.
* There are no specific laws prohibiting individuals from buying, selling, or holding cryptocurrencies.
* Cryptocurrencies are not legal tender in Aruba.
II. Key Regulatory Bodies
* Centrale Bank van Aruba (CBA):
* The primary financial authority.
* Focuses on cautioning the public about cryptocurrency risks (volatility, security, illicit use).
* Supervises Virtual Asset Service Providers (VASPs) for AML/CFT compliance only.
* Emphasizes that cryptocurrencies are largely unregulated and not under its supervisory purview for retail trading.
III. Important Legislation
* State Ordinance for the Prevention and Combating of Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing (AML/CFT State Ordinance) (AB 2011 no. 28 (Amended 2021)):
* Enacted/Amended: September 8, 2021.
* Key amendment brought Virtual Asset Service Providers (VASPs) under CBA supervision for AML/CFT compliance.
* This legislation does not create a comprehensive regulatory framework for retail cryptocurrency trading.
IV. Compliance Requirements
* For Virtual Asset Service Providers (VASPs):
* Subject to AML/CFT registration requirements with the CBA since 2021.
* For Individual Retail Traders:
* There are no specific licensing or registration requirements.
* General financial laws may apply to entities they transact with, but not directly to individuals.
V. Notable Restrictions or Limitations
* The CBA consistently warns the public about the high risks of cryptocurrencies.
* Local banks are risk-averse and may block cryptocurrency-related transactions.
* There are no specific consumer protections for cryptocurrency investors.
VI. Recent Developments or Notes
* The 'Allowed-Unregulated' status is confirmed by human verification.
* The CBA's VASP supervision focuses solely on AML/CFT compliance and does not constitute a broader regulatory approval.
* The VASP registration requirement applies to service providers, not individual retail traders.
Full Analysis Report
Full Analysis Report
Retail Trading Status: Cryptocurrencies in Aruba
Report Date: 2025-06-26
Topic: Retail_Trading_Status
Description: An assessment of whether individual citizens and residents in Aruba are legally permitted to buy, sell, and hold cryptocurrencies.
Retail_Trading_Status: Allowed-Unregulated
Detailed Narrative Explanation:
As of December 2025, retail trading of cryptocurrencies in Aruba remains Allowed-Unregulated. The Centrale Bank van Aruba (CBA) has implemented AML/CFT registration requirements for Virtual Asset Service Providers (VASPs) since September 2021, but this applies to businesses providing crypto services, not individual retail traders. The CBA consistently describes cryptocurrencies as 'largely unregulated' in its public warnings and emphasizes that they are not legal tender, not supervised by the central bank, and lack consumer protections.
While VASPs must register under the amended AML/CFT State Ordinance, this represents anti-money laundering oversight rather than comprehensive cryptocurrency regulation. There are no specific laws governing retail cryptocurrency trading, and individuals are free to buy, sell, and hold digital assets at their own risk. The CBA's primary interaction with the public regarding cryptocurrencies comes through risk warnings about volatility, security concerns, and potential illicit use.
Local banking institutions remain highly risk-averse toward cryptocurrency transactions, often blocking transfers to crypto exchanges. This practical challenge exists alongside the legally permissible but unregulated status of retail crypto trading in Aruba.
## Retail Trading Status: Cryptocurrencies in Aruba **Report Date:** 2025-06-26 **Topic:** Retail_Trading_Status **Description:** An assessment of whether individual citizens and residents in Aruba are legally permitted to buy, sell, and hold cryptocurrencies. --- ### Retail_Trading_Status: **Allowed-Unregulated** --- **Detailed Narrative Explanation:** As of December 2025, retail trading of cryptocurrencies in Aruba remains **Allowed-Unregulated**. The Centrale Bank van Aruba (CBA) has implemented AML/CFT registration requirements for Virtual Asset Service Providers (VASPs) since September 2021, but this applies to businesses providing crypto services, not individual retail traders. The CBA consistently describes cryptocurrencies as 'largely unregulated' in its public warnings and emphasizes that they are not legal tender, not supervised by the central bank, and lack consumer protections. While VASPs must register under the amended AML/CFT State Ordinance, this represents anti-money laundering oversight rather than comprehensive cryptocurrency regulation. There are no specific laws governing retail cryptocurrency trading, and individuals are free to buy, sell, and hold digital assets at their own risk. The CBA's primary interaction with the public regarding cryptocurrencies comes through risk warnings about volatility, security concerns, and potential illicit use. Local banking institutions remain highly risk-averse toward cryptocurrency transactions, often blocking transfers to crypto exchanges. This practical challenge exists alongside the legally permissible but unregulated status of retail crypto trading in Aruba.
Source Evidence
Primary and secondary sources cited in this analysis
"Cryptos are largely unregulated in Aruba, as a result of which utmost caution is advised... The CBA strongly advises not make to use of these financial services, especially since this concerns an unregulated party."
"Designated non-financial service providers... includes... providers of services related to virtual assets."
Web Sources (3)
Sources discovered via web search grounding
Search queries used (9)
- Centrale Bank van Aruba cryptocurrency regulation status
- buying bitcoin in Aruba legal
- Centrale Bank van Aruba warning virtual assets
- Aruba crypto exchange license
- Aruba State Ordinance on the Prevention of Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing virtual assets
- Centrale Bank van Aruba register of VASPs
- Aruba banks cryptocurrency policy
- Aruba crypto tax capital gains
- Centrale Bank van Aruba list of registered virtual asset service providers
https://www.cbaruba.org/readBlob.do?id=11062
https://freemanlaw.com/cryptocurrency/aruba/
https://www.bydfi.com/en/questions/what-are-the-regulations-and-legalities-surrounding-cryptocurrency-in-aruba