Dominican Republic

No ruling

Virtual asset / Criptoactivo · Unregulated · ↻ under consideration

Comprehensive framework Unregulated CASP / VASP regime Unregulated Licensing Unregulated AML / CFT Unregulated Stablecoins Unregulated · Unregulated CBDC Unregulated Consumer protection Unregulated Travel rule — Advertising rules — Taxation Unclear

Summary

The Dominican Republic has no specific legal framework for crypto-assets. The Banco Central de la Republica Dominicana (BCRD) and the Monetary Board first warned in 2017, and reiterated in 2021, that virtual currencies are not legal tender, are not state-backed, and that regulated financial institutions are prohibited from dealing in them under the Monetary and Financial Law (183-02). Crypto ownership and use by individuals are not prohibited but carry no protection. No VASP licensing regime exists; general AML obligations under Law 155-17 may apply, and the DGII tends to treat crypto as a taxable asset.

Timeline

2017: BCRD first states virtual currencies are not legal tender and bars financial institutions from using them. 2017: AML Law 155-17 enacted (general obligations, no crypto-specific rules). 2021: BCRD reiterates its warning. Mar 2026: a bill to prevent, control and regulate crypto-related money laundering is submitted to the Cámara de Diputados (GAFILAT-driven); not yet enacted.