Regulatory AlertsTrinidad and Tobago: fintech & payments regulation
RegulatedDual-regulated fintech: CBTT for payments/e-money, TTSEC for virtual assets under 2025 Act
- Lead regulator:
- Central Bank of Trinidad and Tobago
- Key law:
- Virtual Assets and Virtual Asset Service Providers Act 2025
- Last updated:
- 2026-07-12
The fintech and payments landscape in Trinidad and Tobago is governed by a dual-regulatory framework. The Central Bank of Trinidad and Tobago (CBTT) oversees traditional payment services, e-money issuance, and general fintech innovation under the Central Bank Act and the E-Money Issuer Order, 2020. The Trinidad and Tobago Securities and Exchange Commission (TTSEC) regulates virtual assets and VASPs under the newly enacted Virtual Assets and Virtual Asset Service Providers Act 2025.
Entities must obtain specific registrations or licenses depending on their activity. Payment Service Providers and E-Money Issuers must register with the CBTT, adhering to strict AML/CFT guidelines, capital requirements, and transaction limits. VASPs are prohibited from operating without a license from the TTSEC, which also operates a regulatory sandbox to facilitate innovation.
The regulatory direction of travel emphasizes robust compliance, risk-based supervision, and consumer protection. Recent updates include revised terms for bureaux de change, enhanced corporate governance guidelines, and the establishment of a Joint Regulatory Innovation Hub to support fintech development while maintaining financial integrity.
Who regulates
Central Bank of Trinidad and Tobago
Primary supervisor for payment service providers, e-money issuers, and general fintech innovation; oversees AML/CFT compliance.
[1][2][3][4]Trinidad and Tobago Securities and Exchange Commission
Primary supervisor for Virtual Asset Service Providers (VASPs) and virtual asset activities.
[5]
Core laws & rules
Virtual Assets and Virtual Asset Service Providers Act (2025)
Establishes the legal framework for regulating VASPs, prohibits unlicensed virtual asset activities, and designates the TTSEC as the overseeing authority.
[5]E-Money Issuer Order (2020)
Governs the registration, operation, and compliance of e-money issuers, including capital and transaction limits.
[2][6]Central Bank Act (Undated)
Provides the foundational legal authority for the CBTT to regulate payment service providers and financial institutions.
[2][4]
Licensing & registration
Payment Service Provider / E-Money Issuer
Entities must register with the CBTT by submitting comprehensive documentation including business plans, governance structures, and financial details.
[2][4]Virtual Asset Service Provider (VASP)
VASPs must obtain a license from the TTSEC to operate; unlicensed activities are prohibited.
[5]
Restrictions & warnings
E-money issuers are subject to specific monthly transaction limits, maximum wallet sizes, and capital requirements as defined in the E-Money Issuer Order, 2020 (as amended in 2023).
[6]Strict AML/CFT/CPF compliance frameworks are mandatory for e-money issuers and fintech entities, requiring robust internal controls and risk-based supervision.
[1][7]
Direction of travel
Sources
- AML/CFT/CPF Requirements for E-Money Issuers · 2025-07-08
- Application for Registration as a Payment Service Provider or E-Money Issuer · 2025-01-01
- Joint Regulatory Innovation Hub Request for Information Form · 2025-01-01
- Application for Registration as a Payment Service Provider or E-Money Issuer · 2025-01-01
- Virtual Assets and Virtual Asset Service Providers Act 2025 · 2025-12-30
- E-Money Issuer (Amendment) Order, 2023 · 2023-01-01
- AML/CFT Risk-Based Supervisory Framework · 2020-11-11
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