Licenses in El Salvador
Crypto License in
El Salvador
BSP and DASP licensing support for crypto companies entering the Salvadoran market. Full legal, compliance and regulatory coordination through established local partners.
Send requestEl Salvador — A Dedicated Crypto Regulatory Framework
El Salvador became the first country to legalize Bitcoin in 2021 and has since developed a comprehensive regulatory framework for digital asset businesses. The Digital Assets Issuance Law (LEAD, 2023) introduced the DASP and BSP licensing regimes, regulated by the National Commission of Digital Assets (CNAD).
Following 2024–2025 regulatory reforms, CNAD has become the sole licensing and supervisory authority for both BSP and DASP licenses, providing a centralized and predictable regulatory environment for crypto businesses.
Artlex Consult provides end-to-end legal and compliance support — from company formation and AML/CFT documentation through to licensing coordination — working through established local partners with direct experience before CNAD and BCR.
⚡ Fast Licensing Process
3–6 months from incorporation to license approval, depending on business model and completeness of documentation.
📊 0% Corporate Tax
Licensed DASP companies are exempt from corporate tax, capital gains tax and VAT on digital asset transactions under Article 36 of the LEAD Law (2023).
🏦 Crypto-Friendly Banking
Several financial institutions consider banking services for licensed and regulated crypto companies in El Salvador, subject to compliance review.
🌎 Latin American Market Access
El Salvador provides a strategic gateway to the growing Latin American digital asset and payments market.
Key Regulatory Facts
| Main regulator | CNAD — Comisión Nacional de Activos Digitales |
| Key legislation | Bitcoin Law (2021) · LEAD Law (2023) |
| License types | BSP (Bitcoin Service Provider) · DASP (Digital Asset Service Provider) |
| Timeline | 3–6 months |
| Minimum share capital | USD 2,000 |
| One-time government fee | USD 6,270 per license |
| Annual supervision fee | USD 4,050 per license |
| Corporate tax | 0% on digital asset transactions (licensed DASP) |
| Local presence | Registered address required · Physical office not mandatory |
| Foreign founders | Permitted · Shareholders may remain non-residents · Min. 2 shareholders |
BSP & DASP — Two License Categories
Two primary license categories covering different scopes of digital asset activities — both regulated by CNAD.
BSP License
For businesses operating Bitcoin-related services and payment infrastructure.
- Bitcoin exchange
- Custodial Bitcoin wallets
- Bitcoin payment services
- Payment processing
- Bitcoin infrastructure
Fees: USD 6,270 one-time · USD 4,050 annual
DASP License
For businesses providing services in relation to digital assets beyond Bitcoin.
- Digital asset exchange
- Custodial services
- Token issuance and placement
- RWA tokenization
- Wallets and trading platforms
Fees: USD 6,270 one-time · USD 4,050 annual
Key Licensing Requirements
Core requirements under the LEAD Law and CNAD regulations.
Company Formation
Local Salvadoran company required. Minimum 2 shareholders. Foreign founders permitted.
Business Plan
Business plan demonstrating ability to offer digital asset services, required for DASP application.
Share Capital
Minimum USD 2,000 authorized capital. Confirmation of contribution required during process.
AML/CFT Framework
Personalized AML/CTF compliance program, risk matrix, onboarding procedures and internal policies required by CNAD.
Compliance Officer
Local MLRO/Compliance Officer resident in El Salvador is mandatory during the licensing process.
Government Fees
One-time fee: USD 6,270 per license. Annual supervision fee: USD 4,050 per license. Charged at cost.
Licensing Process
Four stages from document collection to license approval — typically 3–6 months.
Document Collection
Passport copies (notarized + apostilled), proof of address, power of attorney, company name, brief business model — approximately 2 weeks.
Incorporation
Company name reservation, corporate document preparation, CNR registration, tax authority registration, NIT and RNC numbers.
Licensing & Compliance
BSP and/or DASP application before CNAD, AML/CFT framework preparation, FIU registration where required, regulatory communication.
Bank / EMI Account
Bank and EMI selection, KYB/KYC documentation preparation, account opening coordination — done in parallel with licensing.
El Salvador Crypto Licensing Packages
Three packages depending on scope of licensing, compliance documentation and operational setup required.
BSP Licensing Package
For clients requiring BSP registration with basic corporate setup.
- Company incorporation & tax registration
- Registered office address — 1 year
- Corporate documents apostilled (Spanish)
- Assistance with share capital contribution
- BSP application before competent authority
- Local agent for regulatory notifications — 1 year
BSP + DASP Licensing & Compliance Setup
For clients requiring both licenses with full AML/CFT compliance framework.
- DASP application before CNAD
- Personalised AML/CTF compliance policy
- EWRA — Enterprise-Wide Risk Assessment
- Compliance Management Policy
- Safeguarding of Assets Policy
- Business Continuity Policy
- InfoSec Policy
- Regulatory activity classification memorandum
- Governance and responsibility matrix
- Corporate documents — apostille & English translation
- Temporary Compliance Officer — 3 months
Full Operational Crypto Company Setup
For clients requiring a complete operational, compliance-ready and bank-ready structure.
- Business plan legal review
- FIU AML registration support
- Accounting system setup & legalization of corporate books
- Monthly accounting — non-operational period, up to 6 months
- Bank / EMI account opening assistance
- Client asset flow / custody structure memorandum
- AML transaction monitoring / red flags matrix
- Sanctions and blockchain exposure controls
- Regulatory communication and CNAD response support
- Post-licensing advisory support — 2 months
- Temporary Compliance Officer — 6 months
Package prices are professional service fees. Government, regulatory, notarial, translation, apostille, banking and other third-party fees are charged separately at cost unless expressly stated otherwise.
Annual Maintenance & Ongoing Support
After licensing, companies require ongoing corporate maintenance, regulatory compliance and operational support.
Annual Maintenance Package
Registered office renewal, local agent coordination and standard annual corporate compliance support.
MLRO / Compliance Officer Ongoing
Ongoing MLRO support after license approval — compliance monitoring, regulatory reporting and AML/CFT oversight.
Annual CNAD Supervision Fee
Government annual supervision fee per license, charged at cost.
Monthly Accounting (Active Operations)
Monthly bookkeeping and accounting support once the company begins transactional activity.
Additional Services
Available upon request alongside any package. Quoted separately following initial assessment.
Tax Advantages for Licensed Companies
Under Article 36 of the LEAD Law (2023), companies registered in the RPSAD registry enjoy one of the most attractive tax regimes in Latin America.
0% Corporate Tax
Income from digital asset transactions — trading, storage, issuance, DeFi, NFT, RWA — is fully exempt from corporate income tax.
0% Capital Gains Tax
Purchase, sale or transfer of digital assets is exempt from capital gains tax.
0% VAT on Digital Asset Services
Services related to the issuance, certification or transfer of digital assets are exempt from VAT.
0% Transfer Tax
Transfer tax and other fees on the nominal value of crypto assets do not apply to licensed DASP companies.
Frequently Asked Questions
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How long does it take to obtain a crypto license in El Salvador?Typically 3–6 months from incorporation to license approval, depending on the business model, license type and completeness of documentation.
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What is the difference between BSP and DASP?BSP covers Bitcoin-specific services and is registered under RPSBTC. DASP covers a broader range of digital asset services including exchange, custody, token issuance and RWA tokenization, registered under RPSAD. Both are regulated by CNAD.
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What are the government fees?Each license carries a one-time government fee of USD 6,270 and an annual supervision fee of USD 4,050. These are charged separately at cost in all packages.
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Do I need a local compliance officer?Yes — a local MLRO/Compliance Officer resident in El Salvador is mandatory. Packages 2 and 3 include Temporary Compliance Officer support for 3 and 6 months respectively. Ongoing MLRO support after license approval is available from EUR 2,000/month.
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Can foreign founders obtain a crypto license in El Salvador?Yes. Shareholders and founders may remain non-residents. A minimum of 2 shareholders is required. Local legal presence and fiscal address are mandatory.
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Is physical presence required?A registered address and local legal representative are required. A physical office is not mandatory but may be beneficial for banking purposes.
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What taxes apply to licensed crypto companies?Licensed DASP companies are exempt from corporate tax, capital gains tax and VAT on digital asset transactions under Article 36 of the LEAD Law. Income from fiat services remains subject to the standard 30% corporate tax rate.
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Does Artlex Consult have local partners in El Salvador?Yes. All incorporation and licensing work is coordinated through established local legal and compliance partners with direct experience before CNAD and BCR in El Salvador.
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What is included in the AML/CTF policy?The personalised AML/CTF policy includes: AML/CTF Compliance Manual, Risk Management Matrix, Client Onboarding Procedure, EDD Procedure, Transaction Monitoring Requirements, SAR Template, Data Processing Register and Annual Training Plan — prepared in accordance with FATF standards and CNAD requirements.
Start Your El Salvador Crypto Licensing Process
We can assess your business model, identify the appropriate license type and coordinate the full BSP and/or DASP licensing process through our established local partners.