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Haiti: fintech & payments regulation

Regulated

BRH-regulated fintech/payments under Circular 121; no specific VASP law

Lead regulator:
Banque de la République d’Haïti (BRH)
Key law:
Decree of November 14, 1980; Circular 121 (2021)
Last updated:
2026-07-12

Haiti’s financial sector is overseen primarily by the Banque de la République d’Haïti (BRH), which regulates banking activities under the 1980 Decree and specific circulars. Electronic Payment Service Providers (FSPs) are explicitly regulated under Circular 121 (2021), requiring licensing, capital adequacy, and strict client fund segregation. Money transfer houses and banks are subject to detailed operational rules for international remittances, including exchange rate caps and mandatory daily sales to the central bank.

The regulatory framework mandates prior authorization for new branches and service points, with strict compliance requirements for sub-agents. While there is no standalone 'Virtual Asset Service Provider' (VASP) law cited in the provided documents, the BRH’s broad supervisory powers and the licensing requirements for electronic payment services suggest that any digital asset activity would likely fall under existing financial service regulations or require specific BRH approval.

Recent regulatory direction emphasizes strict oversight of remittance flows, including mandatory fee structures and resource management ratios. The BRH maintains a centralized approach to foreign exchange and payment systems, ensuring that all fund transfer operations adhere to published reference rates and anti-money laundering standards.

Who regulates

  • Banque de la République d’Haïti (BRH)

    Central bank and primary financial regulator for banks, payment service providers, and exchange intermediaries.

    [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12]

  • National Council of Cooperatives (CNC)

    Supervisory body for Savings and Credit Cooperatives (CECs), in conjunction with the BRH.

    [1][10]

Core laws & rules

  • Decree of November 14, 1980 (1980)

    Establishes the comprehensive legal framework for regulating commercial, investment, and savings banks, including authorization procedures and minimum capital requirements.

    [12]

  • Circular 121 (2021)

    Regulates Electronic Payment Service Providers (FSPs), establishing licensing, capital, and technical requirements, including 100% client fund segregation in liquid assets.

    [5]

  • Law on Savings and Credit Cooperatives (2007)

    Regulates the constitution, organization, and supervision of Savings and Credit Cooperatives (CECs) to ensure depositor security.

    [10]

Licensing & registration

  • Electronic Payment Service Providers (FSPs)

    Requires strict licensing, capital, and technical requirements. FSPs must maintain 100% of client funds in liquid assets and enforce individual account controls.

    [5]

  • Financial Institutions and Exchange Intermediaries

    Mandatory authorization procedures established by Circular 127, requiring comprehensive documentation, project details, and approval criteria.

    [2]

  • Banks and Money Transfer Houses

    Subject to the 1980 Decree and specific circulars for remittance operations, requiring prior authorization for new branches and compliance with exchange rate mandates.

    [12][3]

Restrictions & warnings

  • Money transfer houses must sell 30% of their daily share of received transfers to the BRH by the end of each business day; unsold balances are purchased by the BRH at the average buying rate.

    [4]

  • International fund transfers must adhere to BRH-published reference and average acquisition rates, with strict oversight of sub-agents and mandatory display of rates.

    [3][13][6]

  • A USD 1.50 fee is mandated on all international transfers processed through the BRH payment platform, collected at the source.

    [7]

Direction of travel

  • The BRH continues to tighten oversight on remittance flows and exchange rate compliance, with recent circulars emphasizing sub-agent accountability and mandatory central bank sales of foreign exchange.

    [3][4]

  • Regulatory focus remains on formalizing electronic payment services and ensuring the stability of the banking sector through strict capital and operational requirements.

    [5][12]

Sources

  1. Standards on the Opening of Branches or Service Points · 2026-04-17
  2. Circular 127 on Procedures for Applying for Authorization · 2025-02-04
  3. Circular 114-3 Regarding Unremunerated Fund Transfers · 2024-06-01
  4. Additional Note to Circular 118-1 · 2022-10-10
  5. Circular 121 regarding Electronic Payment Service Providers · 2021-12-07
  6. Circular 114-2 on Fund Transfers Without Consideration · 2020-09-21
  7. Circular Letter 07: Fees on Outbound and Inbound Transfers · 2015-06-26
  8. Circular No. 103-1 Governing Rules for Checks Issued in Haiti · 2013-09-16
  9. Circular 125 on Conditions for Opening New Commercial Establishments · 2012-05-14
  10. Law on Savings and Credit Cooperatives · 2007-10-21
  11. Law of August 28, 1984 Establishing and Regulating Savings and Housing Banks · 1999-12-25
  12. Decree of November 14, 1980 Regulating the Operation of Banks and Banking Activities in Haiti · 1999-12-25
  13. Reminder Note Regarding Circular 114-2 · 2022-05-04

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This guide is compiled automatically from 13 primary-source documents published by Haiti's regulators, reviewed by RegAlert, and refreshed monthly (last updated 2026-07-12). It is not legal advice — always confirm requirements with the regulator or local counsel before acting.