Suriname introduces oversight of cryptocurrencies: around ten providers have registered with the Central Bank

During an earlier registration process by the Centrale Bank van Suriname (CBvS), approximately ten providers came forward. This is stated in the Financial Stability Report of October 2026.

With the new legal framework, Suriname aims to gain greater control over services involving cryptocurrencies, digital trading platforms and other forms of virtual assets.

According to the Central Bank, such services have been offered in Suriname for some time. These include exchanging cryptocurrencies, carrying out transactions and storing or managing digital assets through so-called crypto wallets.

Approximately ten providers known to CBvS

The Central Bank carried out a registration process in October 2025 to gain more insight into the size and composition of the domestic market for virtual assets.

Approximately ten service providers came forward during this process.

The CBvS states that the sector in Suriname is still relatively limited in size, but is gradually developing.

A sectoral risk assessment from February 2024 showed that virtual assets are mainly used for investments, value storage and cross-border transactions.

According to the report, stablecoins, particularly variants linked to the US dollar, play an important role because of their relative value stability and use in international payments.

New law sets requirements for providers

The Virtual Asset Service Providers Supervision Act provides for registration and licensing requirements for providers of services involving virtual assets.

In addition, the law includes obligations in the area of combating money laundering and terrorist financing.

The so-called FATF Travel Rule is also applied. This international standard concerns information that must be collected and exchanged in certain transfers of virtual assets.

The law further provides supervisory and enforcement powers for the Central Bank.

This is intended to prevent digital financial services from continuing to operate outside regular financial supervision.

Suriname did not meet international recommendation

The introduction of the regulations is also linked to international obligations in the area of financial integrity.

According to the report, as of June 2026, Suriname received a ‘Non-Compliant’ rating for technical compliance with recommendation 15 of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF).

This recommendation concerns new technologies and requires countries to take appropriate measures to manage risks related to virtual assets and their service providers.

These include combating money laundering, terrorist financing and proliferation financing.

The Central Bank therefore began developing a specific legal framework in 2025.

The draft was submitted for assessment to international partners, including the legal department of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).

Supervision requires technical expertise

Although the new law represents an important step according to the Central Bank, not all challenges have been resolved.

Effective supervision requires specialised knowledge, technical resources and sufficient institutional capacity.

The CBvS points out that the further implementation of the supervisory framework requires support and capacity development.

According to the report, virtual assets can contribute to financial inclusion and more efficient cross-border payments.

At the same time, there are risks of misuse, financial crime and disruption of financial stability.

The Central Bank therefore stresses the importance of a risk-based approach that leaves room for financial innovation, while requiring providers to comply with clear legal requirements.