---
type: country
domain: crypto-regulation
status: stable
tags: ["crypto-regulation", "caribbean", "legal"]
aliases: ["BB", "BRB"]
created: 2026-09-08
updated: 2025-06-01
compile_into: ["[[country--barbados]]"]
sources:
  - name: "FSC Barbados"
    url: "https://www.fsc.gov.bb"
    type: "official"
  - name: "FSC Barbados consultation: Virtual Asset Service Providers Bill, 2026"
    url: "https://www.fsc.gov.bb/consultations"
    type: "official"
  - name: "taxsummaries.pwc.com"
    url: "https://taxsummaries.pwc.com/barbados/individual/income-determination"
    type: "reference"
  - name: "taxsummaries.pwc.com"
    url: "https://taxsummaries.pwc.com/quick-charts/corporate-income-tax-cit-rates"
    type: "reference"
  - name: "taxsummaries.pwc.com"
    url: "https://taxsummaries.pwc.com/quick-charts/capital-gains-tax-cgt-rates"
    type: "reference"
---

# 🇧🇧 [[country--barbados|Barbados]] (BB): Crypto Regulation

> Barbados currently has a legal status for cryptocurrency with a regulatory framework under development. The Financial Services Commission oversees financial sectors but specific crypto regulations are still being developed.

## Overview

| Field | Value |
|-------|-------|
| Status | Legal |
| Risk Score | 25/100 (Low Risk) |
| Enforcement Level | Low |
| Region | [[domain--caribbean|caribbean]] |
| Currency | [[entity--bbd|BBD]] |

## Tax

| Type | Rate |
|------|------|
| Capital Gains (Personal) | No capital gains tax |
| Capital Gains (Corporate) | No capital gains tax; trading profits taxed at 9% corporate rate |
| VAT on Crypto | No |

Barbados does not impose capital gains tax, so gains on crypto held as investments are not taxed. Profits of a crypto trading business are taxed as income; the corporate income tax rate is 9%.

## Licensing

| Field | Value |
|-------|-------|
| Required | No |
| Regulator | [[entity--fsc-barbados|FSC Barbados]] |
| Framework | Virtual Asset Service Providers Bill, 2026 (draft, not yet enacted) |
| Ease | easy |
| Cost | N/A |
| Timeline | N/A months |

No crypto-specific licensing law is in force yet. The Financial Services Commission consulted on the Virtual Asset Service Providers Bill, 2026; the consultation closed on 1 October 2026.

## AML / KYC

| Field | Value |
|-------|-------|
| KYC Required | Yes |
| Travel Rule | No |
| FATF Member | No |
| FATF Status | compliant |

## DeFi

**Status:** unknown

No explicit regulatory stance on DeFi found; likely unregulated or under review.

## Stablecoins

**Status:** unknown

No specific stablecoin regulations identified; likely covered under future regulatory framework.

## NFTs

**Status:** no_rules

No regulation.

## Mining

| Field | Value |
|-------|-------|
| Legal | Yes |
| Electricity Cost | $0.28/kWh |
| Renewable Energy | 10% |
| Climate | tropical |
| Infrastructure | fair |

Mining is legal but electricity costs are relatively high; infrastructure is fair with tropical climate affecting cooling costs.

## Geopolitics

| Field | Value |
|-------|-------|
| Stability | stable |
| Sanctions | No |
| Corruption Index | 55/100 |
| Ease of Business | moderate |
| Internet Freedom | free |
| Banking Access | moderate |
| Sanctions Programs Active | No |

## Enforcement

Limited enforcement.

## CBDC Status: exploring

## FAQ

### Is cryptocurrency legal in Barbados?

Barbados currently has a legal status for cryptocurrency with a regulatory framework under development. The Financial Services Commission oversees financial sectors but specific crypto regulations are still being developed.

### What is the FATF status of Barbados?

Barbados is classified by FATF as: compliant.

### What is the AML/KYC regime in Barbados?

KYC is mandatory for crypto businesses.

---

*Data source: [Soken Crypto Legal Map](https://soken.dev/crypto-map/). Last reviewed: 2026-09-08.*

**Sources:**
- [FSC Barbados](https://www.fsc.gov.bb)
- [FSC Barbados consultation: Virtual Asset Service Providers Bill, 2026](https://www.fsc.gov.bb/consultations)
- [taxsummaries.pwc.com](https://taxsummaries.pwc.com/barbados/individual/income-determination)
- [taxsummaries.pwc.com](https://taxsummaries.pwc.com/quick-charts/corporate-income-tax-cit-rates)
- [taxsummaries.pwc.com](https://taxsummaries.pwc.com/quick-charts/capital-gains-tax-cgt-rates)