Suriname
Retail_Trading_Status
Status Changed
Previous status: Gray-Zone
Reconciled from live analysis after human review confirmed status as Allowed-UnRegulated. Original new analysis incorrectly classified as Gray-Zone due to transitional measures like registration, but no comprehensive regulation is in place, making the status Allowed-UnRegulated as trading is not prohibited and lacks a full regulatory framework.
- Analysis ID
- #872
- Version
- Latest
- Created
- 2025-12-13 07:29
- Run
- 9406b9b4...
- History
- View all versions
- Workflow Stage
- Reconciled
Executive Summary
Suriname's retail crypto trading environment remains legally allowed but unregulated as of December 2025. It is not explicitly prohibited, and no comprehensive regulatory framework exists. The Central Bank of Suriname (CBvS) has issued advisories cautioning against risks and is developing a supervisory framework, including a mandatory registration call for Virtual Asset Service Providers (VASPs) in October 2025 as a precursor to future regulation. However, no formal licensing regime is yet in place, and retail trading operates under partial AML/CFT oversight derived from existing laws.
Key Pillars
- Absence of Comprehensive Regulation: There is no specific law or dedicated regulatory framework explicitly governing retail crypto trading activities in Suriname.
- No Explicit Prohibition: The trading and investment in crypto assets are not explicitly banned, allowing individuals to engage via peer-to-peer (P2P) transactions and crypto exchanges.
- Partial AML/CFT Oversight: The primary regulatory influence on virtual assets comes from Anti-Money Laundering (AML) and Counter-Financing of Terrorism (CFT) legislation, aimed at preventing illicit financial activities.
- Central Bank Initiatives and Registration: The Centrale Bank van Suriname (CBvS) advises caution, is developing a VASP framework, and issued a mandatory registration call for VASPs in October 2025 to identify stakeholders for consultation on a draft law, but no formal licenses are issued.
- Transitional Measures: The registration requirement is a census measure under existing legal authority, not a full regulatory regime.
Landmark Laws
- Wet ter Voorkoming en Bestrijding van Money Laundering en Terrorisme Financiering (S.B. 2022 no. 138), as last amended by S.B. 2024 no. 99.
- Authority: Financial Intelligence Unit Suriname (FIUS) and Centrale Bank van Suriname (CBvS).
- Date: Promulgated November 19, 2022; amended August 2, 2024.
- Summary: Defines 'virtual asset services' and subjects them to AML/CFT measures, requiring risk-based programs, customer due diligence, and reporting of unusual transactions.
- Centrale Bankwet 2022 (S.B. 2023 no. 65).
- Authority: Centrale Bank van Suriname (CBvS).
- Date: Enacted in 2023.
- Summary: Strengthens the autonomy and governance of the Central Bank, providing authority to issue warnings and supervise financial activities, including virtual assets.
- Call for Registration: Virtual Asset Service Providers (CBvS Announcement).
- Authority: Centrale Bank van Suriname (CBvS).
- Date: Issued October 13, 2025.
- Summary: Requires all VASPs to register with the CBvS by November 17, 2025, to facilitate consultation on a drafted law for regulating VASPs.
Considerations
- Asset Classification: Cryptocurrencies are generally not recognized as legal tender in Suriname.
- Taxation: No specific mechanisms or laws regulate or tax income from cryptocurrency activities as of December 2025.
- Consumer Protection: No tailored consumer protection measures exist; the CBvS warns the public of risks, and individuals are solely responsible. VASPs operate without formal licenses despite the registration call.
- Registration Status: The registration is a census measure under existing AML/CFT laws, not a licensing requirement.
- Central Bank Stance: The CBvS has clarified it does not invest in Bitcoin and has issued warnings against unregulated crypto services.
Notes
The Centrale Bank van Suriname (CBvS) is actively working towards establishing a dedicated regulatory framework for Virtual Asset Service Providers (VASPs), including completing a sectoral risk analysis and drafting a 'Virtual Asset Service Providers Supervision Act'. A registration call for VASPs was issued in October 2025 to identify stakeholders for consultation on the draft law, which has not yet been enacted by the National Assembly. Suriname remains a member of the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force (CFATF) and aligns with FATF recommendations, but comprehensive retail trading regulations are not yet in place.
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?
Detailed Explanation
Detailed Explanation
As of December 2025, retail cryptocurrency trading in Suriname is legally allowed but remains unregulated, with no comprehensive framework explicitly governing these activities. The environment is characterized by an absence of specific laws for retail trading, meaning there is no explicit prohibition, and individuals can engage via peer-to-peer transactions and exchanges. The primary regulatory influence stems from Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) legislation, specifically the Wet ter Voorkoming en Bestrijding van Money Laundering en Terrorisme Financiering (S.B. 2022 no. 138), as amended in 2024. This law defines 'virtual asset services' and subjects Virtual Asset Service Providers (VASPs) to AML/CFT obligations, including implementing risk-based programs, conducting customer due diligence, and reporting unusual transactions to the Financial Intelligence Unit Suriname (FIUS). The Centrale Bank van Suriname (CBvS) also holds supervisory authority under the Centrale Bankwet 2022, which empowers it to issue warnings and oversee financial activities, including those related to virtual assets. The Central Bank has consistently advised the public to exercise caution due to the risks associated with unregulated crypto services and has clarified it does not invest in Bitcoin. Cryptocurrencies are not recognized as legal tender, and there are no specific tax laws or tailored consumer protection mechanisms for crypto activities, leaving individuals solely responsible for their investments. The regulatory landscape is in a transitional phase. The CBvS is actively developing a dedicated supervisory framework and has drafted a 'Virtual Asset Service Providers Supervision Act'. As a precursor to this future regulation, the CBvS issued a mandatory call for registration of all VASPs on October 13, 2025, requiring them to register by November 17, 2025. This registration is a census measure conducted under existing legal authority, intended to identify stakeholders for consultation on the draft law; it is not a formal licensing regime, and no licenses are yet issued. The drafted law has not been enacted by the National Assembly, meaning the comprehensive regulatory framework for retail crypto trading and VASP operations is still pending formal implementation.
Summary Points
I. Regulatory Status
* Retail cryptocurrency trading is allowed but unregulated as of December 2025.
* There is no explicit prohibition and no comprehensive regulatory framework specifically governing retail crypto trading activities.
* The environment operates under partial AML/CFT oversight derived from existing laws.
* Cryptocurrencies are not recognized as legal tender.
II. Key Regulatory Bodies
* Centrale Bank van Suriname (CBvS):
* Issues public warnings and advises caution on crypto risks.
* Developing a supervisory framework for Virtual Asset Service Providers (VASPs).
* Issued the mandatory VASP registration call in October 2025.
* Authority derived from the Centrale Bankwet 2022.
* Financial Intelligence Unit Suriname (FIUS):
* Responsible for AML/CFT oversight, including for virtual asset services as defined in the AML/CFT law.
III. Important Legislation
* Wet ter Voorkoming en Bestrijding van Money Laundering en Terrorisme Financiering (S.B. 2022 no. 138), as amended by S.B. 2024 no. 99:
* Promulgated November 19, 2022; last amended August 2, 2024.
* Defines 'virtual asset services' and subjects them to AML/CFT measures.
* Requires VASPs to implement risk-based programs, conduct customer due diligence, and report unusual transactions.
* Centrale Bankwet 2022 (S.B. 2023 no. 65):
* Enacted in 2023.
* Strengthens CBvS autonomy and provides authority to issue warnings and supervise financial activities, including virtual assets.
* Call for Registration: Virtual Asset Service Providers (CBvS Announcement):
* Issued October 13, 2025.
* Required all VASPs to register with the CBvS by November 17, 2025.
* This is a census measure to identify stakeholders for consultation on a drafted law, not a licensing requirement.
IV. Compliance Requirements
* For VASPs, compliance with AML/CFT obligations under the Wet ter Voorkoming en Bestrijding van Money Laundering en Terrorisme Financiering is required.
* VASPs were required to register with the CBvS by November 17, 2025, following the October 2025 announcement.
* No formal licensing regime for VASPs or specific compliance requirements for retail traders exists as of December 2025.
V. Notable Restrictions or Limitations
* No tailored consumer protection measures exist for cryptocurrency activities; the public is warned of risks by the CBvS.
* No specific tax laws regulate or tax income from cryptocurrency activities.
* VASPs operate without formal licenses, despite the mandatory registration call.
* The CBvS has clarified it does not invest in Bitcoin and warns against unregulated crypto services.
VI. Recent Developments or Notes
* The CBvS is actively working towards a dedicated regulatory framework, having completed a sectoral risk analysis and drafted a 'Virtual Asset Service Providers Supervision Act'.
* The October 2025 registration call is a transitional measure under existing authority to facilitate consultation on the draft law.
* The draft law has not yet been enacted by the National Assembly.
* Suriname remains a member of the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force (CFATF) and aligns with FATF recommendations.
Full Analysis Report
Full Analysis Report
Report on Retail Cryptocurrency Trading Status in Suriname
Date: 2025-12-31
Topic: Retail_Trading_Status
Description: Assess whether individual citizens and residents in the country are legally permitted to buy, sell, and hold cryptocurrencies. Detail the regulatory environment surrounding this activity.
Retail_Trading_Status: Allowed-Unregulated
Narrative Explanation:
As of December 2025, retail cryptocurrency trading in Suriname is Allowed-Unregulated. There is no specific legal framework explicitly governing the buying, selling, or holding of digital currencies by individuals. Cryptocurrencies do not have legal tender status in Suriname's financial system.
While not explicitly prohibited, the activity exists without comprehensive regulatory oversight. Individuals can trade cryptocurrencies through peer-to-peer (P2P) platforms and international exchanges that accept Surinamese users, but they do so without specific consumer protections, licensing regimes for exchanges, or dedicated tax laws. The Central Bank of Suriname (CBvS) has not issued licenses for cryptocurrency activities and has advised caution regarding their use.
The primary regulatory influence comes from Anti-Money Laundering (AML) and Counter-Financing of Terrorism (CFT) legislation, specifically the Wet ter Voorkoming en Bestrijding van Money Laundering en Terrorisme Financiering (S.B. 2022 no. 138, amended 2024), which defines virtual asset services and imposes AML/CFT measures on providers. This provides partial oversight but not a full regulatory framework.
In October 2025, the CBvS issued a mandatory registration call for Virtual Asset Service Providers (VASPs), requiring them to register by November 17, 2025, as part of efforts to develop a regulatory framework based on a drafted law. However, no formal licenses have been issued, and the law has not been enacted, indicating a transitional phase. The CBvS continues to warn the public of risks associated with unregulated crypto services.
Political discussions, such as proposals to adopt Bitcoin as legal tender, have not resulted in legal changes. Therefore, retail trading remains allowed but unregulated, with ongoing developments towards future regulation.
Relevant Text Excerpts:
- UPay Blog (2024-12-08): "As of now, there is no established cryptocurrency legal framework in Suriname. The country currently has no formal cryptocurrency regulations and cryptocurrency holds no official legal status in its financial system."
- Medium - The Shyft Perspective (2023-08-22): "Cryptocurrencies are not regulated by the law in Suriname, and there are no mechanisms to regulate their use or tax the income derived from them. However, trading and investing in crypto assets is possible through P2P and crypto exchanges."
- CBvS Announcement (2025-10-13): "De Centrale Bank van Suriname roept virtuele activa dienstverleners op om zich te registreren, aangezien er thans een wet is geconcipieerd, die virtuele activa dienstverlening in Suriname zal reguleren..."
- Centrale Bankwet 2022: Article 10 provides authority for CBvS to supervise financial activities.
- AML/CFT Act (S.B. 2022 no. 138, amended 2024): Subjects virtual asset services to AML/CFT requirements.
- MEXC Wiki (2025-01-01): "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."
Source URLs:
- https://upay.upayuz.com/blog-details/crypto-adoption-around-the-world-suriname
- https://medium.com/@shyftnetwork/the-shyft-perspective-crypto-regulations-the-south-american-way-a8e5f4adf893
- https://cbvs.sr
- https://cbvs.sr/images/Wet_en_Regelgeving/Bankwezen/Centrale_Bankwet_2022_SB_2023_no_65.pdf
- https://www.mexc.com/learn/article
- https://www.fatf-gafi.org/en/publications/Mutualevaluations/Mer-suriname-2023.html
- https://gov.sr
- https://www.proeliumlaw.com/cryptocurrency-regulation-tracker/
- https://ueex.com/blog/best-crypto-exchanges-in-suriname/
- https://www.ciat.org/a-look-at-the-regulation-of-crypto-assets/?lang=en
## Report on Retail Cryptocurrency Trading Status in Suriname **Date:** 2025-12-31 **Topic:** Retail_Trading_Status **Description:** Assess whether individual citizens and residents in the country are legally permitted to buy, sell, and hold cryptocurrencies. Detail the regulatory environment surrounding this activity. --- ### Retail_Trading_Status: Allowed-Unregulated **Narrative Explanation:** As of December 2025, retail cryptocurrency trading in Suriname is **Allowed-Unregulated**. There is no specific legal framework explicitly governing the buying, selling, or holding of digital currencies by individuals. Cryptocurrencies do not have legal tender status in Suriname's financial system. While not explicitly prohibited, the activity exists without comprehensive regulatory oversight. Individuals can trade cryptocurrencies through peer-to-peer (P2P) platforms and international exchanges that accept Surinamese users, but they do so without specific consumer protections, licensing regimes for exchanges, or dedicated tax laws. The Central Bank of Suriname (CBvS) has not issued licenses for cryptocurrency activities and has advised caution regarding their use. The primary regulatory influence comes from Anti-Money Laundering (AML) and Counter-Financing of Terrorism (CFT) legislation, specifically the Wet ter Voorkoming en Bestrijding van Money Laundering en Terrorisme Financiering (S.B. 2022 no. 138, amended 2024), which defines virtual asset services and imposes AML/CFT measures on providers. This provides partial oversight but not a full regulatory framework. In October 2025, the CBvS issued a mandatory registration call for Virtual Asset Service Providers (VASPs), requiring them to register by November 17, 2025, as part of efforts to develop a regulatory framework based on a drafted law. However, no formal licenses have been issued, and the law has not been enacted, indicating a transitional phase. The CBvS continues to warn the public of risks associated with unregulated crypto services. Political discussions, such as proposals to adopt Bitcoin as legal tender, have not resulted in legal changes. Therefore, retail trading remains allowed but unregulated, with ongoing developments towards future regulation. **Relevant Text Excerpts:** - **UPay Blog (2024-12-08):** "As of now, there is no established cryptocurrency legal framework in Suriname. The country currently has no formal cryptocurrency regulations and cryptocurrency holds no official legal status in its financial system." - **Medium - The Shyft Perspective (2023-08-22):** "Cryptocurrencies are not regulated by the law in Suriname, and there are no mechanisms to regulate their use or tax the income derived from them. However, trading and investing in crypto assets is possible through P2P and crypto exchanges." - **CBvS Announcement (2025-10-13):** "De Centrale Bank van Suriname roept virtuele activa dienstverleners op om zich te registreren, aangezien er thans een wet is geconcipieerd, die virtuele activa dienstverlening in Suriname zal reguleren..." - **Centrale Bankwet 2022:** Article 10 provides authority for CBvS to supervise financial activities. - **AML/CFT Act (S.B. 2022 no. 138, amended 2024):** Subjects virtual asset services to AML/CFT requirements. - **MEXC Wiki (2025-01-01):** "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." **Source URLs:** - https://upay.upayuz.com/blog-details/crypto-adoption-around-the-world-suriname - https://medium.com/@shyftnetwork/the-shyft-perspective-crypto-regulations-the-south-american-way-a8e5f4adf893 - https://cbvs.sr - https://cbvs.sr/images/Wet_en_Regelgeving/Bankwezen/Centrale_Bankwet_2022_SB_2023_no_65.pdf - https://www.mexc.com/learn/article - https://www.fatf-gafi.org/en/publications/Mutualevaluations/Mer-suriname-2023.html - https://gov.sr - https://www.proeliumlaw.com/cryptocurrency-regulation-tracker/ - https://ueex.com/blog/best-crypto-exchanges-in-suriname/ - https://www.ciat.org/a-look-at-the-regulation-of-crypto-assets/?lang=en
Source Evidence
Primary and secondary sources cited in this analysis
"As of now, there is no established cryptocurrency legal framework in Suriname. The country currently has no formal cryptocurrency regulations and cryptocurrency holds no official legal status in its financial system."
"Cryptocurrencies are not regulated by the law in Suriname, and there are no mechanisms to regulate their use or tax the income derived from them. However, trading and investing in crypto assets is possible through P2P and crypto exchanges."
"De Centrale Bank van Suriname roept virtuele activa dienstverleners 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/