Haiti Compliance Report

Generated 2026-09-22

Framework In Development

Regulatory Overview

Regulatory Status: Active legislative/regulatory process underway
Key Regulator(s): Central Bank
Primary Legislation: e.g., law enforcement, Even without a specific VASP licensing law, any entity facilitating financial tr, Law of February 20, 2013, on the Fight Against Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing, s primary AML/CFT law. It is crucial for any entity dealing with financial transactions. While it doesn, You can often find references or analyses of this law from organizations like th, Law of May 11, 2005, on Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing
Travel Rule: Not adopted
Tax Reporting: Banque de la République d'Haïti (BRH): The BRH has previously issued warnings regarding cryptocurrencies, emphasizing that they are not legal tender in Haiti and cautioning against their use due to risks such as volatility, lack of regulatory oversight, and potential for illicit activities. While not explicitly illegal, they are not officially recognized or regulated as financial instruments or currency.. General Principle: If cryptocurrencies are considered movable property or assets, any profit derived from their sale could potentially be subject to income tax if it's deemed a gain on movable property or part of a taxable activity.. Likely Scenario: For individuals or businesses engaged in frequent trading or activities where crypto profits are substantial, these gains might be considered ordinary income and taxed at the applicable income tax rates.. Individuals: Haiti has a progressive income tax scale, with rates generally ranging from 0% to 30%.. Businesses (Corporate Income Tax): The corporate income tax rate in Haiti is generally around 30%.

Key Facts

aml Haiti has not established a specific legal framework for cryptocurrency or virtual asset regulation, and no dedicated licensing regime exists for crypto businesses. Haiti - United States Department of State Haiti is not a FATF member but is a member of the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force (CFATF), a FATF-style regional body. Caribbean Financial Action Task Force (CFATF) The practical reality is that crypto activity operates in a regulatory vacuum, with the central bank and financial authorities having not yet issued digital asset-specific AML rules. Haiti - United States Department of State Haiti is a member of the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force (CFATF), which is the FATF-style regional body for the Caribbean region, including Haiti. Caribbean Financial Action Task Force (CFATF) Haiti is not listed as a FATF member country; the FATF membership list includes countries such as Argentina, Australia, Canada, France, the United Kingdom, and the United States, but not Haiti. Haiti The FATF has issued public statements concerning Haiti's strategic AML/CFT deficiencies, with the most recent CFATF Public Statement on Haiti issued in November 2017. CFATF Public Statement on Haiti Haiti remains on the FATF "Jurisdictions under Increased Monitoring" list as of the June 2026 update, meaning it is actively working with the FATF to address strategic deficiencies in its AML/CFT regime. Jurisdictions under Increased Monitoring - 19 June 2026 The FATF published a progress report on Haiti on January 31, 2026, analyzing Haiti's progress in addressing technical compliance deficiencies identified in its 2019 mutual evaluation. Jurisdictions under Increased Monitoring - 19 June 2026
enforcement Regulator Name: Banque de la République d'Haïti (BRH - Central Bank of Haiti) Entity Targeted: The general public, financial institutions operating in Haiti. (This was a general warning, not targeting a specific crypto company or individual). Violation Type: Not a violation, but rather a warning against the inherent risks associated with using unregulated virtual assets (cryptocurrencies) and a clarification of their legal status. The BRH emphasized that cryptocurrencies are not legal tender in Haiti and are not subject to the country's financial regulations. Penalty Amount: None. This was a public advisory/warning. Date: November 2021 Outcome: The communiqué served to officially inform the public and financial sector that cryptocurrencies are not recognized as legal tender, are not regulated by the BRH, and their use carries significant risks (volatility, cyber-security, money laundering, and terrorist financing). It effectively discourages their use within the formal financial system and signals that anyone engaging with them does so at their own risk. It sets a cautious tone for the country's approach to digital assets. While finding the direct PDF on the BRH website in English can be challenging as the site is primarily in French, reputable news sources reported on the communiqué. Here's a link to a news report referencing it: Haiti: Central Bank Warns Public on Crypto Use (Cryptopotato, reporting on the BRH communiqué, November 2021) The official press release can often be found in the archives section of the BRH website (brh.gouv.ht), usually under "Communiqués de Presse" for November 2021. Limited Framework: Haiti does not have a comprehensive legal or regulatory framework specifically for cryptocurrencies.
licensing Loi du 11 novembre 2013 relative à la Lutte Contre le Blanchiment d'Argent et le Financement du Terrorisme (Law of November 11, 2013, relating to the Fight Against Money Laundering and the Financing of Terrorism): This is the cornerstone of Haiti's AML/CFT framework. It defines money laundering and terrorist financing offenses, sets out reporting obligations for designated non-financial businesses and professions (DNFBPs) and financial institutions, and establishes the powers of the UCREF. Décret du 10 mars 2005 instituant l'Unité de Lutte Contre le Blanchiment d'Argent (Decree of March 10, 2005, instituting the Unit for the Fight Against Money Laundering): This decree established the UCREF as Haiti's Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) and outlined its structure and functions. Obtaining and verifying the identity of legal persons (name, legal form, address, proof of incorporation/existence, names of directors/senior management). Using reliable, independent source documents, data, or information for verification. Beneficial Ownership (BO): Identifying and taking reasonable measures to verify the identity of the beneficial owner(s) of customers, including understanding the ownership and control structure of legal persons. This typically involves identifying individuals who own or control more than a certain percentage (e.g., 25%) of the entity, or who exercise control through other means. Purpose and Nature of Business Relationship: Understanding the purpose and intended nature of the business relationship or transaction. Ongoing Monitoring: Continuously monitoring the business relationship and transactions undertaken by customers to ensure they are consistent with the VASP's knowledge of the customer, their business, and risk profile, including the source of funds where necessary. Enhanced Due Diligence (EDD): For higher-risk customers or transactions (e.g., Politically Exposed Persons (PEPs), complex or unusually large transactions, customers from high-risk jurisdictions, or transactions involving privacy-enhancing virtual assets), VASPs must apply EDD measures, such as:
sanctions Asset Freeze: Requires all UN member states to freeze funds, other financial assets, and economic resources owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by designated individuals and entities. Travel Ban: Imposes a travel ban on designated individuals. Targeted Arms Embargo: Prohibits the direct or indirect supply, sale, or transfer of small arms, light weapons, and related ammunition to designated individuals and entities in Haiti. VASPs must screen their customers, beneficial owners, and transaction counterparties against the UN Security Council Consolidated Sanctions List, specifically looking for individuals and entities designated under the Haiti sanctions regime. Any detected matches (hits) trigger an obligation to freeze assets and block transactions, as well as report to relevant authorities (Financial Intelligence Units, central banks). UNSC Resolution 2653 (2022): https://documents-dds-ny.un.org/doc/UNDOC/GEN/N22/633/32/PDF/N2263332.pdf?OpenElement UNSC Resolution 2700 (2023): https://documents-dds-ny.un.org/doc/UNDOC/GEN/N23/305/74/PDF/N2330574.pdf?OpenElement UN Security Council Sanctions Committees (1000 Haiti Sanctions Committee): https://www.un.org/securitycouncil/sanctions/2653 (This page lists designated individuals and entities).
securities The Haitian government has not yet issued specific regulations targeting cryptocurrencies and digital assets, leaving a regulatory vacuum that could be exploited by malicious actors. Securing America's Near Abroad: Recalibrating U.S. Policy Toward Haiti No licensing requirements exist for cryptocurrency exchanges or digital asset service providers in Haiti, which increases the risk of fraudulent activities and undermines investor protection. Haiti - Licensing Requirements for Professional Services Absence of Anti-Money Laundering (AML) and Know Your Customer (KYC) regulations for digital asset transactions in Haiti hampers efforts to prevent illicit financial flows and terrorist financing. Haiti's Instability and Its Effect on U.S. Security - Air University No enforcement mechanisms are currently in place to address violations related to cryptocurrency and digital asset activities in Haiti, leaving the market vulnerable to abuse. Security Council Assesses Road to Elections, Stability in Haiti ... The Haitian tax system does not explicitly address cryptocurrencies, resulting in ambiguity regarding the tax liabilities of digital asset transactions. Haiti Tax Rates & System (2026) The lack of regulatory oversight creates significant risks, including financial instability, increased opportunities for illicit activities, and potential harm to the Haitian economy. Immediate policy development is crucial to address these gaps and safeguard national security. Beyond the Output Trap: Haiti and the Future of ... Securing America's Near Abroad: Recalibrating U.S. Policy Toward Haiti Haiti - Licensing Requirements for Professional Services
stablecoin No Specific Classification: There is no specific legal classification for stablecoins under Haitian law. They are not formally categorized as e-money, payment tokens, or securities within a regulatory framework. Implicitly Unregulated: Based on the BRH's general stance on cryptocurrencies, stablecoins are effectively treated as unregulated digital assets, existing outside the purview of the existing financial services legislation. If they were to be regulated, given their intended use, they would likely fall under electronic money or payment services, but this has not occurred. None: As stablecoins are not regulated, there are no prescribed reserve requirements for issuers in Haiti. Any reserves held by an issuer would be based on their internal policies and the specific stablecoin's design, without legal enforcement or oversight by the BRH. None: There is no specific licensing regime for stablecoin issuers in Haiti. Any entity issuing stablecoins would be operating outside the formal financial licensing framework. Traditional financial institutions (banks, payment service providers) are licensed under the Loi du 20 mars 1996 sur les institutions financières (Law of March 20, 1996 on Financial Institutions), but this law does not encompass crypto asset issuance. No Legal Guarantee: Without specific stablecoin regulation, there are no legally guaranteed redemption rights under Haitian law. Redemption terms would solely depend on the agreement between the user and the stablecoin issuer, as outlined in the issuer's terms of service, without recourse to Haitian financial regulators for enforcement. Algorithmic Stablecoin Rules: None: There are absolutely no specific rules or regulations concerning algorithmic stablecoins in Haiti, given the lack of any foundational crypto-asset framework. No Announced Interaction: Haiti has not publicly announced a concrete Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) project that would outline its interaction with private stablecoins. While central banks globally are exploring CBDCs, the BRH has not specified any policy regarding the coexistence or competition between a potential Haitian gourde CBDC and private stablecoins. The BRH's general cautionary stance suggests a preference for tightly controlled, central bank-issued digital currency over unregulated private stablecoins.
status The current regulatory landscape for cryptocurrencies and digital assets in Haiti is fragmented, with no specific legislation directly addressing these financial instruments. Existing regulations primarily focus on anti-money laundering (AML) and combating the financing of terrorism (CFT) measures under the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) of Haiti, which apply broadly to all financial transactions. Banking and Payment Regulations: The Central Bank of Haiti (BCH) oversees traditional banking and payment systems. Cryptocurrencies fall outside the BCH's regulatory purview, leading to a lack of oversight. Securities Law: The Haitian Securities Commission (CSE) regulates securities but has not yet issued specific guidance on digital assets that qualify as securities. No licenses are currently required for individuals or entities to engage in cryptocurrency transactions within Haiti, due to the absence of targeted regulatory provisions. Financial institutions and money service businesses (MSBs) operating in Haiti must comply with AML/CFT regulations as outlined by the FIU. These requirements include customer identification, monitoring of transactions, and reporting suspicious activities. The FIU has initiated investigations into unregulated cryptocurrency exchanges operating within Haiti, citing potential AML/CFT violations. Income generated from cryptocurrency transactions in Haiti is subject to general income tax rules. However, specific guidance on the taxation of digital assets remains absent, leading to uncertainty for taxpayers.
tax General Principle: If cryptocurrencies are considered movable property or assets, any profit derived from their sale could potentially be subject to income tax if it's deemed a gain on movable property or part of a taxable activity. Likely Scenario: For individuals or businesses engaged in frequent trading or activities where crypto profits are substantial, these gains might be considered ordinary income and taxed at the applicable income tax rates. Individuals: Haiti has a progressive income tax scale, with rates generally ranging from 0% to 30%. Businesses (Corporate Income Tax): The corporate income tax rate in Haiti is generally around 30%. Practicality: For infrequent, small-scale transactions by individuals, enforcement might be challenging, but legally, the potential for taxation exists. Receipt as Payment: If an individual or business receives cryptocurrency as payment for goods or services, the fair market value of the cryptocurrency in Haitian Gourdes (HTG) or its equivalent in USD at the time of receipt would generally be considered taxable income. Individuals: Taxed at personal income tax rates (up to 30%). Businesses: Taxed at corporate income tax rates (around 30%).
travel rule No. Haiti has not yet adopted a comprehensive legal and regulatory framework specifically governing Virtual Assets (VAs) and Virtual Asset Service Providers (VASPs), including the FATF Travel Rule. The existing Anti-Money Laundering/Combating the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) laws do not explicitly cover VASPs. The CFATF 4th Round Enhanced Follow-Up Report & Technical Compliance Re-Rating of Haiti (2023) explicitly states that Haiti has not addressed Recommendation 15 (New Technologies – covering VAs and VASPs) and that there is no legal framework for the licensing, registration, or supervision of VASPs for AML/CFT purposes. Not applicable, as the framework for VAs/VASPs, including the Travel Rule, has not been adopted. Not defined, as the regulatory framework is not in place. The FATF Travel Rule typically applies to transactions above a de minimis threshold (e.g., USD/EUR 1,000). Not legally defined or explicitly covered under existing Haitian law. While the FATF definition of a VASP would conceptually apply (any natural or legal person who, as a business, conducts one or more of the following activities or operations for or on behalf of another natural or legal person: exchange between VAs and fiat currencies; exchange between one or more forms of VAs; transfer of VAs; safekeeping and/or administration of VAs or instruments enabling control over VAs; and participation in and provision of financial services related to an issuer's offer and/or sale of a VA), these entities are not yet subject to specific AML/CFT obligations in Haiti. Not specified or required, due to the absence of a legal framework. Not specifically applicable for Travel Rule non-compliance, as the rule is not legally binding in Haiti for VASPs. Haiti's general AML/CFT law, the Loi du 11 novembre 2016 (relative à la lutte contre le blanchiment d'argent et le financement du terrorisme), applies to traditional financial institutions and designated non-financial businesses and professions (DNFBPs). Penalties under this law would apply to those entities for non-compliance with their respective obligations, but not currently to unregulated VASPs.

Sources

This report is AI-generated from publicly available regulatory sources. Last updated: 2026-09-06. View full profile