Self-custodial wallet / non-custodial software in Peru
Publisher of software where users hold their own private keys. The publisher never holds, controls, or has access to user funds.
Self-custodial wallet is conditionally permitted in Peru with a local entity, subject to AML obligations and low licensing burden.
Verdict Details
- Permitted
- conditional
- Local entity required
- Yes
- Licensing burden
- Low
- Last updated
- 2026-07-13
AML Obligations
- VASPs — including non-custodial wallet publishers — are designated as obliged entities under Resolución SBS N° 893-2019 and must implement a full AML/CFT compliance program.
- Customer Due Diligence (CDD): Obtain and verify identity of users (individuals: national ID/passport, name, DOB, address; legal entities: incorporation docs, directors, beneficial ownership).
- Enhanced Due Diligence (EDD): Required for PEPs, high-risk jurisdictions, large transactions, and unusual patterns.
- Ongoing transaction monitoring for suspicious patterns and reporting of Suspicious Transaction Reports (ROS) to UIF-Perú.
- Record-keeping of all transactions and customer data.
- Appoint a compliance officer and conduct internal risk assessments.
- Reporting obligations under Ley N° 27693 and Decreto Supremo N° 020-2017-JUS apply.
Key Restrictions
- No specific crypto or VASP licensing regime exists, but Resolución SBS N° 893-2019 obligates VASPs — and this includes software publishers of non-custodial wallets — as AML/CTF obliged subjects.
- The publisher never holds keys or funds, which reduces financial-intermediation risk, but the AML obligations still apply because the software enables transmission of virtual assets.
- Must register as a regular company in Peru under general commercial law.
- If the wallet software facilitates fiat on/off ramps or payment services, it could risk classification as an Electronic Money Issuer (EEDE) under SBS oversight.
Key Risks
- Regulatory ambiguity: Peru's AML framework (Resolución SBS N° 893-2019) designates VASPs as obliged entities but does not explicitly exempt non-custodial software publishers, leading to uncertainty about whether pure software distribution triggers the full AML regime.
- UIF-Perú expects all entities engaged in activities susceptible to ML (including new technologies) to implement AML/KYC practices, even without explicit statutory listing.
- Enforcement precedent is thin — no clear cases of Peru sanctioning a non-custodial wallet publisher, creating regulatory unpredictability.
- If the wallet ever adds fiat on/off-ramp features, it may attract SBS financial-intermediation scrutiny and capital requirements.
Evidence
This verdict synthesizes the following facts. Each fact links to its primary source(s).
No specific Licensing Regime for VASPs: There is no dedicated law requiring crypto exchanges, custody providers, or crypto-focused payment processors to obtain a specific "virtual asset license" from a regulatory body like the Superintendencia de Banca, Seguros y AFP (SBS) or the Banco Central de Reserva del Perú (BCRP).
AML/CTF Obligations for Existing "Obligated Subjects": The primary regulatory interaction for entities dealing with virtual assets comes from the Unidad de Inteligencia Financiera del Perú (UIF-Perú), which oversees AML/CTF compliance. Existing "obligated subjects" (sujetos obligados) under the AML/CTF framework (like banks, financial institutions, payment service providers dealing with fiat, and money transmitters) are expected to manage risks associated with virtual assets if they engage with them.
They typically operate under general commercial law, registering as a regular company in Peru.
AML/KYC (Anti-Money Laundering/Know Your Customer): This is the most relevant area.
While VASPs are not explicitly listed as "obligated subjects" in the current AML/CTF law, the UIF-Perú encourages all entities engaged in activities susceptible to money laundering (including new technologies) to implement robust AML/KYC practices.
Expected Practices (even if not explicitly licensed):
Customer Due Diligence (CDD): Implementing KYC procedures to identify and verify customers (natural persons and legal entities).
Enhanced Due Diligence (EDD): For higher-risk customers or transactions.
Monitoring Transactions: Identifying unusual or suspicious patterns.
Reporting Suspicious Transactions (ROS): Reporting any suspicious activity to the UIF-Perú.
Record-Keeping: Maintaining records of transactions and customer data.
Risk Assessment: Conducting a comprehensive risk assessment of money laundering and terrorist financing risks.
Internal Controls: Establishing internal policies, procedures, and training programs.
Resolución SBS N° 893-2019 (and its preceding/subsequent modifications):
What it means for VASPs: VASPs are now required to implement an AML/CFT compliance program, appoint a compliance officer, and report to the UIF-Perú.
Individuals: Obtain and verify identity using reliable independent source documents (e.g., national ID, passport). This includes full name, date of birth, place of birth, nationality, address, and national identification number.
Legal Entities: Obtain and verify legal name, legal form, address of main place of business, names of directors/partners, legal representative, and evidence of legal existence (e.g., articles of incorporation, business registration).
Beneficial Ownership: Identify and verify the natural person(s) who ultimately own or control the customer, or on whose behalf a transaction is being conducted.
Purpose and Intended Nature of Business Relationship: Understand the customer's activities and the intended purpose and nature of the business relationship or transaction.
Ongoing Monitoring: Continuously monitor the business relationship and transactions to ensure they are consistent with the VASP's knowledge of the customer, their business, and risk profile. This includes monitoring for unusual or suspicious transaction patterns.
Enhanced Due Diligence (EDD): Required for higher-risk customers, business relationships, or transactions. This includes:
Politically Exposed Persons (PEPs) and their family members/close associates.
Transactions involving significant amounts of virtual assets.
Transactions with unusual patterns or no apparent economic or lawful purpose.
Collecting additional information on the customer, beneficial owner, source of funds/wealth, and the reasons for the intended transactions.
Obtaining senior management approval for establishing or continuing relationships with such customers.
Ley N° 27693 - Ley que crea la Unidad de Inteligencia Financiera del Perú (UIF-Perú) y modifica la Ley N° 26702, Ley General del Sistema Financiero y del Sistema de Seguros y Orgánica de la Superintendencia de Banca y Seguros:
Decreto Supremo N° 020-2017-JUS - Reglamento de la Ley N° 27693, Ley que crea la Unidad de Inteligencia Financiera del Perú:
Verdict Attribution
- Source:
- AI-Generated · Unreviewed
- AI synthesized:
- 2026-07-13 (deepseek-chat)
- Last updated:
- 2026-07-13
- Confidence:
- medium
This verdict was produced by an AI model from the underlying facts. Confirm with counsel before relying on it for material decisions.
Conditional — a self-custodial wallet publisher can operate in Peru without a dedicated license, but Resolución SBS N° 893-2019 classifies VASPs (including non-custodial wallet publishers) as AML/CTF obliged subjects, requiring a local company registration, AML compliance program, CDD/EDD, transaction monitoring, and ROS reporting to UIF-Perú.
Questions this verdict aims to answer
- Does software publishing trigger VASP / MSB classification?
- Do AML obligations attach when no custody exists?
- What disclosure or consumer-protection rules apply?