---
type: country
domain: crypto-regulation
status: stable
tags: ["crypto-regulation", "south_america", "gafilat", "restricted"]
aliases: ["EC", "ECU"]
created: 2026-06-01
updated: 2025-06-01
compile_into: ["[[country--ecuador]]"]
sources:
  - name: "Banco Central del Ecuador"
    url: "https://www.bce.fin.ec"
    type: "official"
---

# 🇪🇨 [[country--ecuador|Ecuador]] (EC) — Crypto Regulation

> Cryptocurrency is restricted in Ecuador under the Monetary and Financial Code, with partial restrictions on crypto activities. The Central Bank of Ecuador regulates digital currency use and mining is limited.

## Overview

| Field | Value |
|-------|-------|
| Status | Restricted |
| Risk Score | 55/100 (High Risk) |
| Enforcement Level | Low |
| Region | [[domain--south-america|south america]] |
| Currency | [[entity--usd|USD]] |

## Tax

| Type | Rate |
|------|------|
| Capital Gains (Personal) | No specific crypto guidance; general income tax up to 37% |
| Capital Gains (Corporate) | 22%-25% CIT (general rate 25%; 28% for companies with non-resident shareholders in tax-haven jurisdictions; reduced rates available for new qualifying investments) |
| VAT on Crypto | No |
| Mining Tax | No specific guidance |
| Staking Tax | No specific guidance |
| Airdrop Tax | No specific guidance |

No crypto-specific tax framework. Ecuador uses USD as official currency.

## Licensing

| Field | Value |
|-------|-------|
| Required | Yes |
| Regulator | [[entity--uafe|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 | N/A |
| Cost | N/A |
| Timeline | N/A months |

Crypto as payment is restricted but holding and trading are not explicitly banned. The regulatory landscape is evolving.

## AML / KYC

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

## DeFi

**Status:** Unclear

No DeFi regulation.

## Stablecoins

**Status:** no_rules

No framework; country already uses USD.

## NFTs

**Status:** no_rules

No regulation.

## Mining

| Field | Value |
|-------|-------|
| Legal | Yes |
| Electricity Cost | $0.08/kWh |
| Renewable Energy | 55% |
| Climate | tropical |
| Infrastructure | fair |

Mining is allowed but under restrictions per national regulations. Electricity cost is moderate with a significant share of renewables.

## Geopolitics

| Field | Value |
|-------|-------|
| Stability | moderate |
| Sanctions | No |
| Corruption Index | 38/100 |
| Ease of Business | moderate |
| Internet Freedom | partly_free |
| Banking Access | moderate |

## Enforcement

Limited enforcement.

## CBDC Status: none

## FAQ

### Is cryptocurrency legal in Ecuador?

Cryptocurrency is restricted in Ecuador under the Monetary and Financial Code, with partial restrictions on crypto activities. The Central Bank of Ecuador regulates digital currency use and mining is limited.

### What is the FATF status of Ecuador?

Ecuador is classified by FATF as: partially_compliant.

### Are VASPs licensed in Ecuador?

Yes, licensing is required for VASPs.

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

KYC is mandatory for crypto businesses.

---

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

**Sources:**
- [Banco Central del Ecuador](https://www.bce.fin.ec)