2026-08-28
Added
The draft Rules prescribe fee requirements for registrants carrying on digital asset business in The Bahamas, replacing the 2024 version. They establish application, registration, and annual renewal fees for digital asset exchanges and other businesses, including a new category for businesses applying to register as exchanges. Registrants holding multiple activities pay the highest base fee plus $6,250 for each additional activity, while specific administrative fees cover director changes, asset approvals, and financial statement extensions. The Rules are scheduled to come into operation on 1 January, 2027, following a public consultation period ending 25 September 2026.
FOR CONSULTATION: Securities Commission of The Bahamas Draft Digital Assets and Registered Exchanges (Anti-Money Laundering, Countering Financing of Terrorism and Countering Financing of Proliferation) (Amendment) Rules, 2026 PUBLIC CONSULTATION DRAFT DIGITAL ASSETS AND REGISTERED EXCHANGES (FEES) RULES, 2026 CONSULTATION PERIOD: FRIDAY 28 AUGUST 2026 - FRIDAY 25 SEPTEMBER 2026
FOR CONSULTATION: Securities Commission of The Bahamas Draft Digital Assets and Registered Exchanges (Fees) Rules, 2026 Page 2 of 6 DRAFT DIGITAL ASSETS AND REGISTERED EXCHANGES (FEES) RULES, 2026 The Securities Commission of The Bahamas (“Commission”), in its capacity as the regulator of digital asset businesses, has issued the Digital Assets and Registered Exchanges (Fees) Rules, 2026 (“the Rules”) for public consultation. The draft Rules can be found on the Commission's website at: scb.gov.bs/legislativeframework/consultation-documents/. Summary/Purpose The draft Rules prescribe the fee requirements for registrants carrying on digital asset business, in or from The Bahamas and would replace the Digital Assets and Registered Exchanges (Fees) Rules, 2024 (No. 40 of 2024). The Rules: (a) increase certain fees applicable to digital asset businesses registered under the Digital Assets and Registered Exchanges Act, 2024; (b) introduce a new fee category for digital asset business applying for registration as a digital asset exchange; (c) introduce a new fee for digital asset exchange or digital asset business registered in respect of more than one digital asset business activity; and (d) introduces a new administrative fee for extension to file audited financial statements for a 6- month period (for a maximum of 2 extension requests). Scope These Rules would apply to persons regulated under the Digital Assets and Registered Exchanges Act, 2024. Consultation period Commences: Friday 28 August 2026 Ends: Friday 25 September 2026 Reply to: Please submit any comments to DAREconsultation@scb.gov.bs. Or alternatively, to: Executive Director Securities Commission of The Bahamas Poinciana House North Building 2nd Floor, 31A East Bay Street P.O. Box N-8347 Nassau, The Bahamas Tel: (242) 397-4100 Email: info@scb.gov.bs
FOR CONSULTATION: Securities Commission of The Bahamas Draft Digital Assets and Registered Exchanges (Fees) Rules, 2026 Page 3 of 6 CONSULTATION DRAFT — v1.0 — NOT YET IN FORCE DIGITAL ASSETS AND REGISTERED EXCHANGES (FEES) RULES, 2026 Arrangement of Rules Rule
FOR CONSULTATION: Securities Commission of The Bahamas Draft Digital Assets and Registered Exchanges (Fees) Rules, 2026 Page 4 of 6 DIGITAL ASSETS AND REGISTERED EXCHANGES ACT, 2024 (NO. 40 OF 2024) DIGITAL ASSETS AND REGISTERED EXCHANGES (FEES) Rules, 2026 The Securities Commission of The Bahamas, in exercise of the powers conferred by section 79 of the Digital Assets and Registered Exchanges Act, 2024 (No. 40 of 2024), makes the following rules —
FOR CONSULTATION: Securities Commission of The Bahamas Draft Digital Assets and Registered Exchanges (Fees) Rules, 2026 Page 5 of 6 SCHEDULE (rules 2 and 3) A. Fees for persons registered under Part III (Digital Asset Businesses) Category of Registration Application Fee Registration Fee Annual Renewal Fee Digital Asset Exchange $7,500.00 $23,500.00 $23,500.00 All other digital asset businesses $5,000.00 $15,625.00 $15,625.00 Digital asset exchange applying for registration in respect of an additional digital asset business activity This fee is payable in addition to the application, registration or renewal fee for a digital asset exchange. $3,500.00 for each additional activity for which application is being made — — Digital asset business applying for registration as a digital asset exchange $5,000.00 — — Digital asset business applying for registration in respect of an additional digital asset business activity $3,500.00 for each additional activity for which application is being made — — Digital asset exchange or digital asset business registered in respect of more than one digital asset business activity — Registration fee and annual renewal fee: highest fee payable for the activities registered plus $6,250.00 for each additional activity B. Fees for Chief Executive Officer, Compliance Officer and Money Laundering Reporting Officer Category of Registration Application Fee Annual Fee Chief Executive Officer $750.00 $1,000.00 Compliance Officer $750.00 $1,000.00 Money Laundering Reporting Officer $750.00 $1,000.00
FOR CONSULTATION: Securities Commission of The Bahamas Draft Digital Assets and Registered Exchanges (Fees) Rules, 2026 Page 6 of 6 C. Fee for registration of Offering Memorandum under Part IV (Token Offerings) Description Fee Registration of offering memorandum (Application Fee) $6,000.00 D. Administrative Fees Fee Appointment or change in directors $750.00 Approval of issue, transfer, disposal or re-categorization of digital assets $800.00 Audit confirmation letters $625.00 Replacement certificate $625.00 Name change $625.00 Extension to file interim statements for a 1-month period (for a maximum of 3 extension requests, i.e. one quarter) $875.00 Extension to file audited financial statements for a 6-month period (for a maximum of 2 extension requests) $1,250.00 Surrender of registration certificate $625.00 Application for exemption or modification $625.00