Regulatory AlertsEcuador: fintech & payments regulation
RegulatedEcuador fintech regulated by BCE under JPRM-2024-018-M; SEDPES license required for payments
- Lead regulator
- Banco Central del Ecuador (BCE)
- Also involved
- SERCOP (public procurement); Superintendencia de Compañías (corporate registration)
- Core law
- Resolution JPRM-2024-018-M (Regulation of Payment Means and Systems in Ecuador and Fintech Activities)
- Entry capital
- USD 200,000 (Digital Credit Lending)
- Approval timeline
- —
- Customer assets
- —
- Data protection
- LOPDP (Organic Law on Personal Data Protection)
- Sandbox
- Yes - Regulatory Sandboxes (JPRF-T-2025-156)
Ecuador has established a comprehensive regulatory framework for fintech and payment activities under the exclusive supervision of the Central Bank of Ecuador (BCE). The core instrument is Resolution JPRM-2024-018-M, which governs payment means, systems, and fintech entities. The regime distinguishes between general Fintech Service Entities and specialized payment institutions (SEDPES). While the framework is codified, specific capital floors for pure payment processing or e-money issuance are not explicitly detailed in the provided source texts, though a USD 200,000 floor exists for digital credit lending.
Which licence do you need?
| Your activity | Requirement | Capital | Timeline | Authority |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Payment processing / gateway | LicenceSEDPES or Fintech Entity[1][2] Requires authorization under JPRM-2024-018-M or SEDPES resolution | — | — | Banco Central del Ecuador |
| E-money & wallet issuance | LicenceSEDPES or Fintech Entity[1] Electronic wallets regulated under JPRM-2024-018-M | — | — | Banco Central del Ecuador |
| Domestic money transfer | LicenceSEDPES or Fintech Entity[1] Domestic transfers fall under payment systems regulation | — | — | Banco Central del Ecuador |
| Cross-border remittance | LicenceSEDPES or Fintech Entity[1] Cross-border payments regulated under payment means framework | — | — | Banco Central del Ecuador |
| Agent network | Uncertainverify with regulator Agent network rules not explicitly detailed in sources | — | — | — |
| Open banking / account information | Uncertainverify with regulator No specific open banking framework identified in sources | — | — | — |
| Foreign-exchange services | LicenceSEDPES or Fintech Entity[1] FX services for payments regulated under payment means rules | — | — | Banco Central del Ecuador |
New — what changed recently
- 2026-01-01Resolution JPRFM-2026-029-M — Reformed monetary policy resolutions governing the National Payments System, updating definitions for payment keys and real-time payments.[3]
- 2025-01-01Resolution JPRF-T-2025-156 — Formally incorporated the regulatory framework for Regulatory Sandboxes for innovative financial developments.[4]
- 2024-01-01Resolution JPRM-2024-018-M — Comprehensively regulated payment means, systems, and fintech activities, defining electronic wallets and operational rules.[1]
- 2024-01-01Resolution JPRF-F-2024-0109 — Established requirements for the constitution of Specialized Societies for Deposits and Electronic Payments (SEDPES).[2]
Market-entry checklist
- 1Register as SEDPES or Fintech EntityIncorporate as an anonymous society and apply for authorization under JPRM-2024-018-M or JPRF-F-2024-0109.
- 2Meet Capital RequirementsEnsure minimum paid-in capital of USD 200,000 if operating as a Digital Credit Lending Entity.
- 3Implement AML/CFT FrameworkEstablish compliance systems for anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing as mandated by fintech regulations.
- 4Register with SERCOPIf providing services to the public sector, register in the Supplier Registry managed by SERCOP.
- 5Apply for Sandbox (Optional)Consider applying for the Regulatory Sandbox under JPRF-T-2025-156 to test innovative developments.
Sources
- Resolution JPRM-2024-018-M: Regulation of Payment Means and Systems in Ecuador and Fintech Activities · 2024-09-04
- JPRF-F-2024-0109 — Establishes Requirements for the Constitution of Specialized Societies for Deposits and Electronic Payments (SEDPES) · 2024-05-10
- Resolution No. JPRFM-2026-029-M Approving the Reform to Resolution No. JPRM-2025-006-M, "Codification of Monetary Policy Resolutions and Operations of the Central Bank of Ecuador" · 2026-06-18
- JPRF-T-2025-0156 — Incorporates Title II "Norm on Requirements and Parameters for the Operation of Controlled Spaces for Regulatory Testing (Regulatory Sandboxes) for Innovative Developments" · 2025-05-30