Panama Crypto Licence

Let's be clear about Panama, because a lot of providers aren't: there is no crypto or virtual-asset licence in Panama as of mid-2026. Crypto is entirely legal — no statute prohibits buying, selling, holding or transferring digital assets — but there is no dedicated licensing regime, and the only binding obligations are anti-money-laundering and counter-terrorism-financing rules under Law 23 of 2015. Anyone advertising a 'Panama crypto licence' is selling something that doesn't formally exist.

That will likely change. On 13 January 2026 the National Assembly received Anteproyecto Ley N° 314, Panama's first dedicated fintech framework, which would define VASPs/CASPs, set licensing triggers, minimum capital, governance and a local compliance officer, and place supervision with the SBP and UAF. As of mid-2026 it had not been enacted. Until it is, the compliant way to run a crypto business from Panama is to incorporate a Panamanian company (typically an S.A.), obtain an Aviso de Operación through Panama Emprende, register with the UAF as an obligated subject (sujeto obligado), and run a documented AML/CFT programme robust enough to satisfy bank KYC. That gives you a legitimate, bankable Panama operation today — and a head start on the licence tomorrow. We set up the structure now and file for authorisation the moment the regime is live.