---
type: country
domain: crypto-regulation
status: stable
tags: ["crypto-regulation", "asia_pacific", "apg", "unknown"]
aliases: ["CK", "COK"]
created: 2026-06-01
updated: 2026-04-02
compile_into: ["[[country--cook-islands]]"]
sources:
  - name: "https://www.fsc.gov.ck"
    url: "https://www.fsc.gov.ck"
    type: "official"
---

#  Cook Islands (CK) — Crypto Regulation

> Cook Islands has no crypto-specific regulatory framework as of June 2026. The FSC (fsc.gov.ck) regulates traditional financial institutions only. A controversial Cryptocurrency (Ransomware Suppression) Bill 2025 — focused on ransomware asset recovery, not a licensing regime — was drafted but not tabled in parliament as of the verification date; it was preceded by a 'Tainted Cryptocurrency Recovery Bill 2023' that was withdrawn after Crown Law deemed it unconstitutional. In March 2026 the government established a Cryptocurrency Advisory Working Group (CAWG) to conduct a policy review. A separate Cybercrime Legislation Amendment Bill 2026 was passed in May 2026, modernising cybercrime laws (hacking, fraud, online bullying) aligned with the Budapest Convention — it does not create a crypto licensing regime. Cook Islands uses the NZD, has no central bank of its own, and there is no CBDC programme.

## Overview

| Field | Value |
|-------|-------|
| Status | unknown |
| Risk Score | 45/100 (Moderate Risk) |
| Enforcement Level | Moderate |
| Region | [[domain--asia-pacific|asia pacific]] |
| Currency | [[entity--nzd|NZD]] |

## Tax

| Type | Rate |
|------|------|
| Capital Gains (Personal) | 0% - no capital gains tax; residents have a NZD 10,000 income tax exemption threshold and progressive rates of 25-30% on income above, but capital gains are explicitly exempt |
| Capital Gains (Corporate) | 20% CIT on domestic income; 0% for offshore/IBC companies not conducting business in Cook Islands |
| VAT on Crypto | No |
| Mining Tax | No specific guidance |
| Staking Tax | N/A |
| Airdrop Tax | N/A |

No crypto-specific tax guidance available.

## Licensing

| Field | Value |
|-------|-------|
| Required | No |
| Regulator | [[entity--fsc|FSC]] |
| Framework | None (no crypto-specific framework) |
| Ease | unknown |
| Cost | N/A |
| Timeline | N/A months |

Licensing applies to traditional financial institutions; no explicit mention of crypto-specific licenses.

## AML / KYC

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

## DeFi

**Status:** unregulated

## Stablecoins

**Status:** unregulated

## NFTs

**Status:** unregulated

## Mining

| Field | Value |
|-------|-------|
| Legal | Yes |
| Electricity Cost | $0.3/kWh |
| Renewable Energy | 15% |
| Climate | tropical |
| Infrastructure | fair |

Electricity costs are high compared to global averages; limited renewable energy share; infrastructure adequate but not advanced for large-scale mining.

## Geopolitics

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

## Enforcement

No detailed enforcement information available

## CBDC Status: none

## FAQ

### Is cryptocurrency legal in Cook Islands?

Cook Islands has no crypto-specific regulatory framework as of June 2026. The FSC (fsc.gov.ck) regulates traditional financial institutions only. A controversial Cryptocurrency (Ransomware Suppression) Bill 2025 — focused on ransomware asset recovery, not a licensing regime — was drafted but not tabled in parliament as of the verification date; it was preceded by a 'Tainted Cryptocurrency Recovery Bill 2023' that was withdrawn after Crown Law deemed it unconstitutional. In March 2026 the governm

### What is the FATF status of Cook Islands?

Cook Islands is classified by FATF as: fsrb_only.

### What is the AML/KYC regime in Cook Islands?

KYC is mandatory for crypto businesses.

---

*Data source: [Soken Crypto Legal Map](https://soken.dev/crypto-map/). Last reviewed: 2026-06-01.*

**Sources:**
- [https://www.fsc.gov.ck](https://www.fsc.gov.ck)