Regulatory AlertsTrinidad and Tobago: crypto & digital assets regulation
RegulatedTT SECP regulates VASPs under 2025 Act; FATF-compliant licensing regime established
- Lead regulator
- Trinidad and Tobago Securities and Exchange Commission (TTSEC)
- Also involved
- NFIU (AML/CFT reporting) · Central Bank of Trinidad and Tobago (banking interface)
- Core law
- Virtual Assets and Virtual Asset Service Providers Act 2025
- Entry capital
- —
- Approval timeline
- —
- Customer assets
- Licensed VASP only
- Data protection
- Data Protection Act · Data Protection Authority
- Sandbox
- Yes - Regulatory Sandbox
Trinidad and Tobago has established a comprehensive regulatory framework for virtual assets, placing oversight with the TTSEC under the Virtual Assets and Virtual Asset Service Providers Act 2025. The regime mandates licensing for VASPs to ensure FATF compliance, with specific risk assessments for proliferation financing guiding enforcement. A regulatory sandbox is available for innovation.
Which licence do you need?
| Your activity | Requirement | Capital | Timeline | Authority |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Exchange / trading platform | LicenceVASP Licence[1] Core VASP activity requiring full licensing | — | — | TTSEC |
| Custody of client assets | LicenceVASP Licence[1] Included in VASP definition | — | — | TTSEC |
| Token issuance / public offering | LicenceVASP Licence[1] Subject to VASP licensing and securities laws | — | — | TTSEC |
| Broker-dealer / OTC desk | LicenceVASP Licence[1] If dealing in virtual assets | — | — | TTSEC |
| Stablecoin issuance | Uncertainverify with regulator Specific stablecoin rules not detailed in source | — | — | — |
| Crypto payments acceptance | LicenceVASP Licence[1] If providing payment services in VAs | — | — | TTSEC |
| Mining / staking services | Uncertainverify with regulator Not explicitly defined as VASP in source | — | — | — |
| Advisory / portfolio management | Uncertainverify with regulator Advisory services scope unclear in source | — | — | — |
New — what changed recently
- 2025-12-30Virtual Assets and Virtual Asset Service Providers Act 2025 — Enacted comprehensive VASP licensing regime under TTSEC oversight.[1]
- 2026-01-27Miscellaneous Provisions (FATF Compliance) Act, 2025 — Amended statutes to fulfill FATF obligations, strengthening AML/CFT framework.[2]
- 2026-03-11Circular Letter- VA-VASP-PF Risk Assessments — Published standalone risk assessments for proliferation financing in VASP sector.[3]
Market-entry checklist
- 1Apply for VASP LicenceSubmit application to TTSEC under the 2025 Act for licensing.
- 2Implement AML/CFT FrameworkEstablish robust AML/CFT procedures compliant with FATF standards.
- 3Conduct PF Risk AssessmentAddress proliferation financing risks as per TTSEC circular.
- 4Register with NFIURegister as a reporting entity with the National Financial Intelligence Unit.
Sources
- Virtual Assets and Virtual Asset Service Providers Act 2025 · 2025-12-30
- Miscellaneous Provisions (FATF Compliance) Act, 2025 · 2026-01-27
- Circular Letter- VA-VASP-PF Risk Assessments · 2026-03-11