Dominican Republic Maintains Ambiguous Stance on Cryptocurrency Regulation in 2025

The Dominican Republic continues to operate without specific cryptocurrency legislation, leaving digital assets in a regulatory gray area. The Central Bank has explicitly stated that cryptocurrencies lack government backing and do not qualify as legal tender under Law 183-02. Financial institutions remain prohibited from accepting crypto for debt settlements or payments.

Despite this hands-off approach, authorities expect crypto operators to voluntarily comply with anti-money laundering (AML) and counter-terrorism financing (CFT) protocols. The Central Bank's warnings emphasize that all cryptocurrency transactions occur at participants' own risk, reflecting global tensions between innovation and financial oversight.

Market observers note the irony of this unregulated environment persisting even as regional neighbors establish clearer frameworks. The situation presents both opportunities for crypto-native businesses and risks for uninformed investors navigating uncharted waters.