Is Bitcoin Legal in Panama?
Yes. Bitcoin is legal in Panama, but there is no crypto licensing law; providers face only AML oversight.
Legal, lightly regulated · facts checked November 2026 · some details from secondary sources · bitcoin is $77,615 today
| Status | Legal, lightly regulated |
|---|---|
| Regulator | UAF (Unidad de Análisis Financiero) for AML; Superintendencia del Mercado de Valores; no dedicated crypto regulator |
| Main law | No crypto law: the 2022 crypto bill was partially vetoed. Bill 247 (2025) and Draft Law 314 (Jan 2026, fintech framework) are pending. Law 241 of 2021 brings VASPs under AML rules. |
| Exchanges | No licence or register for exchanges. |
| Paying with bitcoin | Not legal tender (balboa/US dollar). Merchants may accept it, and since April 2025 Panama City accepts BTC, ETH, USDC and USDT for municipal taxes and fines (converted to dollars by a partner bank). |
| Banks | Banks are allowed but cautious and often refuse crypto-business accounts. |
| Tax | No specific regime; under Panama's territorial system, foreign-source gains are generally untaxed. Panama signed the OECD CARF agreement on 2 Dec 2025. |
| Mining | No specific rules. |
| Recent change | April 2025: Panama City approved crypto payments for municipal taxes. 13 Jan 2026: Draft Law 314 (fintech framework covering crypto) was introduced. |
Bitcoin in Panama: FAQ
Is bitcoin legal in Panama?
Yes: bitcoin is legal in Panama, but there is no crypto licensing law; providers face only AML oversight.
Is bitcoin legal tender in Panama?
Not legal tender (balboa/US dollar). Merchants may accept it, and since April 2025 Panama City accepts BTC, ETH, USDC and USDT for municipal taxes and fines (converted to dollars by a partner bank).
How is bitcoin taxed in Panama?
No specific regime; under Panama's territorial system, foreign-source gains are generally untaxed. Panama signed the OECD CARF agreement on 2 Dec 2025.
Who regulates crypto in Panama?
UAF (Unidad de Análisis Financiero) for AML; Superintendencia del Mercado de Valores; no dedicated crypto regulator. No licence or register for exchanges.
Is bitcoin mining legal in Panama?
No specific rules..
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