Stablecoin issuer / redeemer in Kiribati

Registration, Not Licensing (for Crypto-specific activities): Kiribati currently operates on a de facto registration regime under its AML/CTF laws for virtual asset activities, rather than a specific licensing regime. This means that entities dealing with virtual assets are primarily required to comply with AML/CTF obligations and register with the FIU (if they fall under the definition of an "accountable institution"), rather than obtaining a bespoke crypto-specific license.

General Business Licensing: All businesses operating in Kiribati, regardless of their sector, must still undergo general business registration and licensing with the Registrar of Companies and comply with general business laws.

Kiribati Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU): Responsible for enforcing the AML/CTF Act, receiving suspicious transaction reports, and providing guidance on AML/CTF compliance.

Cryptocurrency Exchanges (VA to FIAT, VA to VA):

Evidence fact ki.licensing.current-status-no-specific-crypto-exchange-license not found (may have been renamed).

Likely Treatment: Would most likely be considered a "money or value transfer service" or a "virtual asset service provider" (VASP) under the scope of the AML/CTF Act. This would trigger obligations as an "accountable institution."

Requirements: Compliance with AML/CTF Act, including registration with the FIU (if applicable), and general business registration.

Specific Crypto Capital: There are no specific minimum capital requirements defined for virtual asset service providers in Kiribati.

General Business Capital: General business registration may have nominal capital requirements, but nothing substantial for financial services.

AML/KYC Requirements: This is the most crucial aspect.

Customer Due Diligence (CDD): Identifying and verifying the identity of customers, including beneficial owners.

Ongoing Monitoring: Monitoring business relationships and transactions.

Record-Keeping: Maintaining records of transactions and customer data for a specified period.

Suspicious Transaction Reporting (STR): Reporting suspicious activities to the Kiribati FIU.

None specifically for crypto custody. There is no public record of a licensing regime exclusively for digital asset custodians in Kiribati. General financial services licenses might exist, but these typically cover traditional banking, insurance, or investment services and would not explicitly apply to crypto custody unless specifically amended.

No specific rules. Given the absence of a dedicated framework, there are no explicit mandates for the segregation of client digital assets from a custodian's proprietary assets. In traditional finance, this is a cornerstone of investor protection, but it has not been extended to digital assets through specific legislation in Kiribati.

No specific requirements. There are no known legislative or regulatory requirements mandating insurance or bonding for digital asset custodians operating in Kiribati.

No specific mandates. Kiribati's regulatory environment does not impose technical requirements such as the use of cold storage for digital assets. Decisions regarding storage methods (hot, warm, cold) would be left to the operational discretion of the service provider.

No specific definition. Kiribati law does not provide a specific definition for a "qualified custodian" in the context of digital assets.

Customer Due Diligence (CDD): Identifying and verifying the identity of customers.

Record Keeping: Maintaining records of transactions and CDD information.

Suspicious Transaction Reporting (STR): Reporting transactions suspected of being linked to money laundering or terrorist financing to the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU).

Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorist Financing Act 2018 (as amended): This is the core AML/CFT legislation. While it might not explicitly mention "virtual assets" or "stablecoins," financial institutions and designated non-financial businesses and professions (DNFBPs) are expected to report suspicious transactions. If stablecoin activities were deemed to fall under "financial services" broadly, they could be captured.

Identification and Verification:

Purpose and Nature of Business Relationship: Understanding the intended purpose and nature of the business relationship or occasional transaction.

Source of Funds/Wealth: For high-risk customers or transactions, obtaining information on the source of funds or wealth involved in the relationship or transaction.

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, including, where necessary, the source of funds.

Risk-Based Approach: VASPs must apply a risk-based approach, meaning:

Obligation to Report: VASPs must report any transaction (or attempted transaction) where they know, suspect, or have reasonable grounds to suspect that the transaction involves proceeds of criminal activity or relates to terrorist financing.

Reporting Authority: All STRs must be submitted to the Financial Intelligence Unit of Kiribati (FIU Kiribati).

No Tipping-Off: VASPs and their employees are prohibited from disclosing to the customer or any third party that an STR has been filed or that an investigation is underway.

Customer Identification Records: All documents and information obtained during the CDD process (identification documents, beneficial ownership information, business relationship details).

Transaction Records: Records of all domestic and international transactions, including the amount, currency, date, and parties involved (originator and beneficiary information).

Correspondence: Records of all correspondence and analyses related to CDD, business relationships, and transactions.

Financial Intelligence Unit of Kiribati (FIU Kiribati)

Regulatory Ambiguity: The lack of specific VASP legislation means there can be ambiguity. VASPs should proactively engage with the FIU Kiribati to seek clarification on their obligations and how the existing framework applies to their specific business model.

FATF Standards: Kiribati is expected to align with FATF standards. This means VASPs should design their AML/CFT programs based on the global best practices outlined in the FATF Recommendations and guidance for virtual assets, even if not explicitly codified in Kiribati law yet.

Travel Rule: While not explicitly mentioned in Kiribati's 2017 Act, the FATF "Travel Rule" (Recommendation 16 for wire transfers, extended to virtual asset transfers) requires VASPs to obtain and transmit originator and beneficiary information for virtual asset transfers above a certain threshold. VASPs should be prepared to implement this.

Classification of Stablecoins:

No specific classification exists. Kiribati's current laws do not define or classify stablecoins as e-money, payment tokens, securities, or any other distinct category.

Kiribati does not currently impose a capital gains tax.

Kiribati has a progressive individual income tax rate. As of recent information, the rates can vary, but typically involve thresholds and increasing percentages.

Corporate income tax rates apply to company profits. The general corporate income tax rate in Kiribati has historically been around 25%.

Purchase/Sale of Cryptocurrency (the asset itself): Many jurisdictions classify the actual buying and selling of cryptocurrency (like Bitcoin or Ethereum) as an exempt or financial supply for GST/VAT purposes, meaning no GST is applied to the transaction value. This is typically because they are seen as a medium of exchange or an intangible financial asset.

Services Related to Cryptocurrency: