Americas & Caribbean · SV
El Salvador
El Salvador has adopted legislation for bitcoin and for digital assets, with a national commission registering digital asset service providers and issuers.
At a glance
- Status
- Sovereign state
- Region
- Americas & Caribbean
- Regulated sectors
- Crypto
- Authorities
- CNAD · BCR · SSF
- Licensing routes
- 3
Overview
The framework
El Salvador adopted bitcoin legislation in 2021 and, in 2023, a Digital Assets Issuance Law that established the National Commission of Digital Assets (CNAD). The commission registers and supervises digital asset service providers and issuers of digital assets other than bitcoin.
Bitcoin services are subject to a separate registration framework linked to the Central Reserve Bank, and the bitcoin legislation was amended in 2025. Requirements should be confirmed against the current texts.
Authorities
Who regulates what
- National Commission of Digital Assets (CNAD)
- Registration and supervision of digital asset service providers and issuers.
- Central Reserve Bank of El Salvador (BCR)
- Monetary authority; registration framework for bitcoin service providers.
- Superintendency of the Financial System (SSF)
- Supervision of the financial system.
Regimes
Licensing routes
Digital asset service provider registration
Registration with the CNAD for providers of digital asset services.
Sectors: Crypto
Digital asset issuance
Registration of public offerings of digital assets under the Digital Assets Issuance Law.
Sectors: Crypto
Bitcoin service provider registration
Registration for businesses providing bitcoin-related services.
Sectors: Crypto
Applications and regulator engagement for these routes are handled by our Regulatory & Licensing practice.
Considerations
What to weigh up
- The framework is recent and has been amended; confirm current requirements before relying on it.
- Bank and counterparty acceptance of El Salvador-registered providers varies.
This overview is general information, summarised at a high level. Requirements change and depend on the specific activity; seek advice on your circumstances before acting.
Industries
Relevant industries
Across jurisdictions
Cross-jurisdiction capabilities
Services we support across the jurisdictions in our directory, described once on their own pages. How each is delivered depends on the local requirements that apply; where local qualification is required, we coordinate locally qualified counsel.
- Privacy & Data ProtectionPrivacy compliance and GDPR programmes, notices and DPAs, DPIAs, data mapping and ROPA, transfers, audits and breach response.
- AML & Financial Crime ComplianceAML/CFT programmes, MLRO-as-a-Service, independent AML/CFT audits, risk assessments, monitoring, sanctions and inspection support.
- IP Registration & ProtectionTrademark and patent registration and protection, copyright protection, domain name disputes, portfolio support and IP agreements.
- Legal OpinionsRegulatory, business model, perimeter, payment, gaming, crypto-asset and cross-border opinions for banks, partners and investors.
- Bank Account OpeningSupport with corporate and operational accounts at banks and EMIs, prepared for how their compliance teams assess high-risk businesses.
- Merchant Account / Acquiring SetupSupport with merchant account applications and acquiring setup at acquirers and PSPs, including for high-risk merchant categories.
Support
How we support businesses in El Salvador
- Regulatory & Licensing01Strategy, applications and regulator engagement for the crypto routes listed above.
- Corporate Structuring02Group architecture, incorporation, substance and governance built around your licences, banking and investors.
- Market Entry & Regulatory Strategy10Market prioritisation, regulatory roadmaps and launch readiness for businesses expanding into new jurisdictions.
Discuss your matter with a senior advisor.
Share a few details about your business and plans. We will come back to arrange a confidential initial conversation.