Saint Kitts and Nevis Compliance Report

Regulatory Overview

Regulatory Status

Dedicated crypto/VA legislation, licensing regime, active enforcement

Key Regulator(s)

Eastern Caribbean Central Bank, Financial Services Regulatory Commission

Primary Legislation

Money Services Business Act, 2000 (as amended): This act governs businesses that, Details would be in the MSB Act or accompanying regulations, usually requiring a minimum capital of XCD 100,000 or similar, Anti-Money Laundering Act, No. 20 of 2000 (as amended): This is the primary AML, Anti-Terrorism Act, 2002 (as amended)., You will find the AML Act and related regulations here, required by law, The Securities Act, Cap. 21.03 (2009 Revised Edition) of St. Christopher and Nev, This is an index; you'd then need to find the full text of the Act, St. Kitts & Nevis has no dedicated cryptocurrency or digital asset statute curre, No licensing regime for crypto businesses exists under any published act; the of, St. Kitts and Nevis CBIU Act 11 of 2024, Guide to Law Online, The Money Laundering Prevention Act and the Financial Services Regulatory Commis, No court judgment concerning virtual assets appears in the consolidated case law, The Inland Revenue Department administers income tax under the Income Tax Act, b, The most critical gap is the complete absence of a virtual asset law; the Federa, paper law

Travel Rule

Adopted — Threshold: Implemented

Key Facts

• aml The Eastern Caribbean Central Bank (ECCB) has direct responsibility for regulating and supervising the entire domestic financial sector of St. Kitts and Nevis and the offshore banks in Nevis, and for making recommendations regarding approval of offshore banking licenses. St. Kitts and Nevis - State.gov St. Kitts and Nevis is a member of the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force (CFATF), a FATF-style regional body, which conducted its most recent mutual evaluation of the country. St. Kitts and Nevis - State.gov The FATF lists St. Kitts and Nevis as being assessed by the CFATF, with the last evaluation completed on 2019-07-01, a possible onsite period of 2022-08-01, and possible plenary discussion on 2022-05-01. Saint Kitts and Nevis - FATF The FATF published a follow-up report on 30 January 2026 titled "St Kitts and Nevis' progress in strengthening measures to tackle money laundering and terrorist financing," indicating the country has made some progress in addressing technical compliance deficiencies identified in its 2022 Mutual Evaluation. St Kitts and Nevis' progress in strengthening measures to tackle money laundering and terrorist financing A follow-up report was also published on 31 December 2023, again noting some progress in addressing technical compliance deficiencies identified in the 2022 Mutual Evaluation. St Kitts and Nevis' progress in strengthening measures to tackle money laundering and terrorist financing The FATF's most recent listing regarding high-risk and other monitored jurisdictions was published on 19 June 2026, covering jurisdictions under increased monitoring and high-risk jurisdictions subject to a call for action. Saint Kitts and Nevis - FATF As a federation, the AML/CFT and offshore legislation covers both St. Kitts and Nevis; however, each island has the authority to organize its own financial structure, with most offshore financial activity concentrated in Nevis. St. Kitts and Nevis - State.gov The St. Kitts and Nevis Citizenship Investment Unit (CIU) is the government body responsible for administering the Citizenship by Investment Programme and has implemented AML/CTF protocols as part of its operations. ST. KITTS AND NEVIS CIU IMPLEMENTS AML/CTF PROTOCOLS AND PARTNERS WITH LEADING EU-BASED FIRM TO REINFORCE DUE DILIGENCE - St Kitts & Nevis
• custody Requirement: Any entity engaging in a "virtual assets business" must be licensed by the Financial Services Regulatory Commission (FSRC). "Custody of virtual assets or instruments enabling control over virtual assets" is specifically defined as a virtual assets business. Application Process: Applicants must submit an application to the FSRC, including: A detailed business plan. Information on directors, senior management, and beneficial owners (fit and proper assessment). Proof of financial soundness. Robust anti-money laundering (AML) and combating the financing of terrorism (CFT) policies and procedures. Cybersecurity policies and IT systems audit reports. Risk management framework.
• licensing Registration vs. Licensing Regime: For dedicated VA/VASP activities, there is no specific licensing regime under a dedicated crypto law. Companies providing any service in Saint Kitts and Nevis must still be incorporated or registered under the Companies Act or other relevant corporate legislation. If the activities touch upon traditional financial services, they would then fall under the FSRC's purview and potentially require a license under existing acts. Currently, there is no specific license required for a purely crypto-to-crypto exchange in St. Kitts and Nevis under a dedicated VA law. However, if the exchange facilitates conversion between virtual assets and fiat currency (e.g., XCD, USD), or accepts fiat deposits/withdrawals, it would likely be considered a Money Services Business (MSB). Potential License: A Money Services Business License would be required, regulated by the FSRC under the Money Services Business Act. Financial Services Regulatory Commission (FSRC) Website: While they don't list crypto licenses, they regulate MSBs.
• securities The Securities Act governs securities offerings and regulates intermediaries such as brokers and dealers source. The Financial Services Regulatory Commission Act establishes the FSRC, which is responsible for licensing and supervising financial institutions source. A suite of legislation passed in June 2026 further strengthens the federation's financial sector, enhancing regulatory oversight and consumer protection source. Financial institutions must obtain licenses from the FSRC before engaging in regulated activities such as banking, insurance, and securities trading. The licensing process includes a thorough assessment of capital adequacy, governance structures, and compliance capabilities source. St Kitts and Nevis implements stringent AML/CFT protocols through the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force (CFATF) standards source. The National Risk Assessment conducted by the Ministry of Finance identifies key vulnerabilities and informs ongoing regulatory enhancements source. The FSRC has authority to impose fines, revoke licenses, and collaborate with international counterparts on enforcement actions against non-compliant entities.
• status St. Kitts & Nevis has no dedicated cryptocurrency or digital asset statute currently in force; no comprehensive virtual asset law has been identified as of 2025–2026. Annual Laws of St. Kitts and Nevis – St. Kitts and Nevis Law Commission No named regulator for virtual assets has been publicly designated; the Financial Services Regulatory Commission and the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank would be the natural authorities but no enabling crypto-specific mandate has been published in the available official sources. Legal Guides - Guide to Law Online: Saint Kitts and Nevis - Research Guides at Library of Congress No licensing regime for crypto businesses exists under any published act; the official gazette and law commission portal list no virtual asset licensing framework. Annual Laws of St. Kitts and Nevis – St. Kitts and Nevis Law Commission No entity has been licensed to conduct cryptocurrency business in St. Kitts & Nevis — the number is zero because no licensing pathway exists. Government notices – St. Kitts and Nevis Citizenship by Investment Unit The primary source of law in St. Kitts & Nevis is the official gazette, titled "Official Gazette / St. Christopher and Nevis," which publishes new legislation, regulations, and government decisions; the Law Library of Congress holds copies from 1981 onward. Legal Guides - Guide to Law Online: Saint Kitts and Nevis - Research Guides at Library of Congress The gazette record indicates publication began in 2005 in print format, with a microfilm collection covering 1981–2005 and 2016; this is the authoritative channel through which any digital asset law would enter into force. Legal Guides - Guide to Law Online: Saint Kitts and Nevis - Research Guides at Library of Congress The "Laws of Saint Christopher and Nevis" consolidated statutory collection is maintained, with a 2017 edition available in the Law Library of Congress, but no virtual asset statute appears in the annual laws listings. Legal Guides - Guide to Law Online: Saint Kitts and Nevis - Research Guides at Library of Congress A "Saint Christopher and Nevis Consolidated Index of Statutes and Subsidiary Legislation" exists, compiled by the University of the West Indies Faculty of Law Library, but no crypto-specific act appears in the available index entries. Legal Guides - Guide to Law Online: Saint Kitts and Nevis - Research Guides at Library of Congress
• travel rule The FATF recommends a de minimis threshold of EUR/USD 1,000 for transmittals where simplified information measures might apply. However, for transfers exceeding this amount, or where transfers are between a VASP and an unhosted wallet, or between two VASPs, full originator and beneficiary information (name, account number/VA wallet address, physical address or national ID, and date/place of birth for individuals; legal name, legal entity identifier, and address for legal entities) must be collected and transmitted. Saint Kitts and Nevis VASPs are generally expected to comply with these FATF-aligned thresholds as part of their broader AML/CFT obligations under the VABA and the Anti-Money Laundering Act (2020 Revised Edition), as amended. It is advisable to consult the latest guidance from the Financial Services Regulatory Commission (FSRC) for any specific local interpretations or thresholds. Which VASPs are Covered? Exchange between virtual assets and fiat currencies. Exchange between one or more forms of virtual assets. Transfer of virtual assets. Safekeeping and/or administration of virtual assets or instruments enabling control over virtual assets. Participation in and provision of financial services related to an issuer’s offer and/or sale of a virtual asset.

Sources

• https://2009-2017.state.gov/j/inl/rls/nrcrpt/2014/supplemental/228005.htm
• https://www.fatf-gafi.org/en/countries/detail/Saint-Kitts-and-Nevis.html
• https://www.fatf-gafi.org/en/publications/Mutualevaluations/St-Kitts-Nevis-FUR-2025.html
• https://www.fatf-gafi.org/en/publications/Mutualevaluations/St-Kitts-Nevis-FUR-2023.html
• https://ciu.gov.kn/st-kitts-and-nevis-ciu-implements-aml-ctf-protocols-and-partners-with-leading-eu-based-firm-to-reinforce-due-diligence/
• https://www.fsrc.kn/
• https://www.sknvibes.com/LegalNotices/Acts/2020/No._23_of_2020_Virtual_Assets_Business_Act,_2020.pdf
• https://www.fsrc.kn/document/virtual-assets-business-regulations-2021/
• http://www.fsrc.kn/
• http://www.fsrc.kn/legislation/
• https://www.eccb-centralbank.org/
• https://legal.gov.kn/
• https://legal.gov.kn/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Revised-Laws-of-St.-Christopher-and-Nevis-2009.pdf
• https://www.sknvibes.com/legal_notices/VA_Act_No._3_of_2020.pdf
• https://fsrc.gov.kn/
• https://www.eccb-centralbank.org/p/dcash
• https://lawcommission.gov.kn/wp-content/documents/Revised-Acts-of-St-Kitts-and-Nevis/Revised-Acts-of-St-Kitts-and-Nevis-2009/Ch-21_16-Securities-Act.pdf
• https://lawcommission.gov.kn/wp-content/documents/Revised-Acts-of-St-Kitts-and-Nevis/Revised-Acts-of-St-Kitts-and-Nevis-2020/Ch-21_10-Financial-Services-Regulatory-Commission-Act.pdf
• https://sknis.gov.kn/2026/06/18/suite-of-legislation-passed-in-the-national-assembly-further-strengthens-the-federations-financial-sector/
• https://sknis.gov.kn/2021/12/02/securities-bill-2021-passed-in-st-kitts-and-nevis-national-assembly/
• https://www.mof.gov.kn/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/St.-Kitts-and-Nevis-NRA-Report.pdf
• https://ciu.gov.kn/news-st-kitts-and-nevis-receives-cfatf-best-regional-aml-ctf-ml-tf-case-award-2025/
• https://sknis.gov.kn/2024/09/18/st-kitts-and-nevis-passes-two-significant-pieces-of-legislation-that-further-strengthens-its-international-compliance/
• https://lawcommission.gov.kn/annual-laws/annual-laws-of-st-kitts-and-nevis/
• https://guides.loc.gov/law-saint-kitts-and-nevis/legal-guides
• https://ciu.gov.kn/government-notices/
• https://fsrc.kn/