Crypto-assets are not legal tender and not an authorised means of payment in Ecuador. Under Articles 94 and 99 of the Organic Monetary and Financial Code and Monetary Policy Board resolutions JPRM-2022-005-M, JPRM-2023-014-M and JPRM-2023-015-M, all transactions must be expressed in US dollars and only listed physical and electronic payment means are authorised. The Central Bank warns that crypto use is at the user's own risk.
| Status | Restricted |
| Risk Score | 55/100 (High Risk) |
| Region | south america |
| Currency | USD |
| Capital Gains (Personal) | Ordinary progressive income tax rates up to 37%; no crypto-specific guidance |
| Capital Gains (Corporate) | 25% standard corporate income tax rate (22% to 28% depending on shareholder structure) |
| VAT on Crypto | No |
No crypto-specific tax rules. Gains are taxed under general income tax rules: individuals at progressive rates of 0% to 37% (2026 table) and companies at the general 25% CIT rate (22% or 28% depending on shareholder structure).
| Required | Yes |
| Regulator | UAFE / Superintendencia de Bancos |
| Framework | Organic Monetary and Financial Code; Organic Law on Prevention, Detection and Combating of Money Laundering (2025); UAFE Resolution on VASPs (2022) |
| Ease | medium |
Virtual Asset Service Providers must register with UAFE and comply with AML regulations; licensing process is moderately stringent.
Limited enforcement.
| Status | Cancelled |
| Name | Dinero electronico |
| Issuing Authority | Central Bank of Ecuador |
| Model | retail |
| Technology | Mobile Money (Non-DLT) |
| KYC Required | Yes |
| Travel Rule | Yes |
| FATF Member | No |
| FATF Status | compliant |
| FATF Body | GAFILAT |
| Suspicious-Activity Reporting | Yes |
Status: Restricted
DeFi activities face regulatory restrictions under existing AML and financial laws, limiting their operation within Ecuador.
Status: Restricted
Stablecoins are regulated under the same frameworks as other virtual assets, with restrictions to ensure AML compliance.
Status: no_rules
No regulation.
| Legal | Yes |
| Electricity Cost | $0.08/kWh |
| Renewable Energy | 55% |
| Infrastructure | fair |
Mining is allowed but under regulatory restrictions; electricity cost is moderate; infrastructure is developing with fair quality.
| Stability | moderate |
| Sanctions | No |
| Corruption Index | 45/100 |
| Banking Access | moderate |
| Sanctions Program Active | No |
Risk Factors
Ecuador has moderate political stability with some regulatory uncertainty affecting crypto businesses. No major international sanctions apply.
Crypto-assets are not legal tender and not an authorised means of payment in Ecuador. Under Articles 94 and 99 of the Organic Monetary and Financial Code and Monetary Policy Board resolutions JPRM-2022-005-M, JPRM-2023-014-M and JPRM-2023-015-M, all transactions must be expressed in US dollars and only listed physical and electronic payment means are authorised. The Central Bank warns that crypto use is at the user's own risk.
Ecuador 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: 2026-09-12 · Data source: Soken Crypto Legal Map
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