Costa Rica maintains a legal and regulated environment for cryptocurrencies with pending AML/CFT VASP registration framework amendments to Law 7786. The regulatory framework is evolving to enhance compliance and oversight.
| Status | Legal |
| Risk Score | 25/100 (Low Risk) |
| Region | central america |
| Currency | CRC |
| VAT on Crypto | No |
| Required | Yes |
| Regulator | SUGEF / BCCR |
| Framework | Pending AML/CFT VASP Registration Framework (Legislative File 25.340, amending Law 7786) |
| Ease | medium |
Costa Rica is in the process of implementing a VASP registration framework to regulate crypto service providers under AML/CFT laws.
Minimal enforcement. BCCR has issued informational notices.
| Status | Research |
| Name | Costa Rica CBDC |
| Issuing Authority | Banco Central de Costa Rica |
| Model | retail |
| KYC Required | Yes |
| Travel Rule | Yes |
| FATF Member | Yes |
| FATF Status | compliant |
| FATF Body | FATF |
| Suspicious-Activity Reporting | Yes |
Status: Unclear
No restrictions on DeFi. Unregulated environment.
Status: unknown
No stablecoin framework.
Status: no_rules
No NFT regulation.
| Legal | Yes |
| Electricity Cost | $0.1/kWh |
| Renewable Energy | 95% |
| Infrastructure | good |
Costa Rica benefits from very high renewable energy usage and moderate electricity costs, making it favorable for mining operations.
| Stability | stable |
| Sanctions | No |
| Corruption Index | 56/100 |
| Banking Access | moderate |
| Sanctions Program Active | No |
Risk Factors
Costa Rica is politically stable with no international sanctions. It has moderate ease of doing business and good internet freedom. Risks include occasional natural disasters and some capital controls.
Costa Rica maintains a legal and regulated environment for cryptocurrencies with pending AML/CFT VASP registration framework amendments to Law 7786. The regulatory framework is evolving to enhance compliance and oversight.
Costa Rica is classified by FATF as: compliant.
Yes, licensing is required for VASPs.
KYC is mandatory for crypto businesses.
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Explore IT Services →Last reviewed: 2026-09-11 · Data source: Soken Crypto Legal Map
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