On-shore VASP in Dominican Republic

Ley No. 155-17 contra el Lavado de Activos y el Financiamiento del Terrorismo (Law No. 155-17 Against Money Laundering and Terrorism Financing), enacted in June 2017.

This law defines "obligated parties" (sujetos obligados) which include a broad range of financial and non-financial businesses and professions. While it doesn't explicitly name "virtual asset service providers," entities dealing with virtual assets in a professional capacity (e.g., exchanges, custodians, transfer services) are likely to be interpreted as falling under its scope due to the nature of the financial services they provide or facilitate.

Resolución R-BC-004-2022 de la Junta Monetaria (Monetary Board Resolution R-BC-004-2022): This resolution, while not a VASP specific regulation, is crucial context. It forbids financial entities regulated by the Superintendencia de Bancos (SIB) from engaging with virtual assets, cryptocurrencies, or crypto assets. This means traditional banks cannot offer VASP services.

Law No. 155-17 against Money Laundering and the Financing of Terrorism (Ley No. 155-17 contra el Lavado de Activos y el Financiamiento del Terrorismo) dated June 1, 2017.

Unidad de Análisis Financiero (UAF - Financial Analysis Unit): The national FIU responsible for receiving, analyzing, and disseminating suspicious activity reports (SARs) and for overseeing AML/CFT compliance. The UAF is also responsible for maintaining and circulating lists of individuals and entities subject to UN sanctions.

Banco Central de la República Dominicana (BCRD - Central Bank of the Dominican Republic): Has issued warnings about the risks of cryptocurrencies, stating they are not legal tender and are not regulated by the BCRD. While not directly regulating VASPs, it influences the financial system's approach.

BCRD Statement (e.g., on risks): https://www.bancentral.gov.do/a/d/4014-bancocentral-advierte-sobre-riesgos-e-implicaciones-uso-de-criptomonedas (Example warning)

Warnings and Advisories: The Central Bank of the Dominican Republic (Banco Central de la República Dominicana - BCRD) has repeatedly issued public statements and communications warning about the risks associated with cryptocurrencies, stating that they are not legal tender, are not backed by any government or central bank, and are subject to high volatility and lack of regulation.

Prohibition for Regulated Entities: Financial institutions regulated by the BCRD and the Superintendency of Banks (Superintendencia de Bancos - SB) are generally prohibited from dealing in or offering services related to cryptocurrencies.

Absence of a Specific Licensing Framework: Unlike some other jurisdictions, the Dominican Republic does not currently have a specific regulatory framework for the licensing and supervision of cryptocurrency exchanges or related businesses. This means there isn't a specific set of crypto regulations for regulators to enforce against these entities.

Identification and Verification:

Individuals: Obtaining and verifying identity (name, date of birth, address, nationality, official identification number/document like passport or cédula).

Legal Entities: Obtaining and verifying legal name, address, articles of incorporation, legal form, proof of existence, powers of attorney, and the identity of beneficial owners and directors.

Beneficial Ownership: Identifying and verifying the identity of the ultimate natural person(s) who own or control the customer, or the person on whose behalf a transaction is being conducted.

Risk-Based Approach: Applying a risk-based approach to CDD. This means:

Enhanced Due Diligence (EDD): Required for high-risk customers, such as Politically Exposed Persons (PEPs), customers from high-risk jurisdictions, or complex and unusual transactions.

Ongoing Monitoring: Continuously monitoring the business relationship and transactions to ensure they are consistent with the VASP's knowledge of the customer, their business, and risk profile.

Designated Compliance Officer: Appoint a compliance officer responsible for AML/CFT matters, including STR filings.

Report to FIU: Report any transaction or attempted transaction suspected of being related to money laundering or terrorism financing to the Unidad de Análisis Financiero (UAF), the Dominican Republic's Financial Intelligence Unit.

Retention Period: Records must be retained for a minimum period of five (5) years after the termination of the business relationship or the date of the transaction.

FATF Travel Rule Expectation: As the DR is a member of GAFILAT (the FATF-style regional body), VASPs are expected to eventually comply with the FATF's "Travel Rule," which requires VASPs to obtain and transmit originator and beneficiary information for virtual asset transfers above a certain threshold. While not explicitly codified in DR law for VASPs yet, it's a global standard.

Corporate Income Tax Rate: 27%

Annual Income Tax Declaration (IR-2): Businesses must report all income, including profits from cryptocurrency activities, and detail their assets and liabilities.

Evidence fact do.tax.monthly-itbis-declaration-it-1 not found (may have been renamed).

Record Keeping: Both individuals and businesses must maintain meticulous records of all crypto transactions, including acquisition dates, costs, disposition dates, proceeds, and fair market values at relevant times, to substantiate reported income and gains/losses.

UN Security Council Resolutions (UNSC Resolutions):

Compliance Requirement: Dominican entities, including VASPs, must freeze assets and prevent transactions with individuals and entities appearing on the UN Security Council Consolidated List.

U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) Sanctions: