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. We confirm the requirements against the current texts before preparing an application.
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
Our Regulatory & Licensing practice prepares the applications for these routes and manages them through to the regulator's decision.
Considerations
What to weigh up
- Confirm current requirements before relying on the framework, which is recent and has been amended.
- Check how each bank and counterparty views El Salvador-registered providers; acceptance 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. We deliver each to the requirements that apply locally, coordinating local specialists where local law, registration, representation or professional requirements require it.
- Privacy & Data ProtectionExternal DPO services and working privacy programmes: GDPR and global privacy laws, DPIAs, data mapping, transfers and ISO/IEC 27701.
- Information Security & CybersecurityFractional CISO support, ISMS and security programmes, certification and audit readiness, DORA, NIS2 and customer assurance for enterprise sales.
- AI GovernanceGovernance that lets AI adoption scale: EU AI Act readiness, ISO/IEC 42001 management systems, AI risk and impact assessments, and vendor risk.
- 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, copyright, domain disputes and enforcement that protect your brand, software and content across markets.
- Legal OpinionsRegulatory, business model, perimeter, payment, gaming, crypto-asset and cross-border opinions that answer what banks and investors ask.
- Bank Account OpeningHelp organising your banking with banks and EMIs that fit your model, from the onboarding file and account structure to periodic reviews.
- Merchant Account / Acquiring SetupMerchant applications, acquiring structure and negotiated terms for online and high-risk merchants that need stable card and local payment acceptance.
Support
El Salvador: how we support your business
- Regulatory & LicensingStrategy, applications and regulator engagement for the crypto routes listed above.
- Corporate StructuringGroup architecture, incorporation, substance and governance built around your licences, banking and investors.
- Market Entry & Regulatory StrategyMarket prioritisation, regulatory roadmaps and launch readiness that let you expand into new jurisdictions in the right order.
El Salvador: the right fit for your business?
We look at your product, target clients and banking needs to see whether this jurisdiction fits or another would serve you better, then send a written proposal with scope, timetable and fee.