Costa Rica Cryptocurrency License-Overview of 2025

Located in Central America, Costa Rica is an independent and politically stable country with full autonomy in financial services regulation, company formation and tax policy. Known for its favorable tax environment and progressive attitude towards innovation, Costa Rica has become an ideal destination for crypto startups and blockchain-based businesses seeking regulatory flexibility, low operating costs and minimal restrictions on digital asset activity.

As of 2025, Costa Rica does not have a formal licensing system specifically for cryptocurrency businesses, but existing commercial and financial laws allow such activities. Supervision is primarily the responsibility of the Central Bank of Costa Rica and the General Administration of Taxation, which are responsible for monitoring compliance with anti-money-laundering and tax obligations. A growing number of fintech and crypto companies operating under this framework benefit from clear legal boundaries without the burden of restrictive licensing. This legal clarity, coupled with Costa Rica's strong international business links, makes it a credible and practical jurisdiction for crypto businesses oriented towards regional or global markets.

Why Choose Costa Rica to Set up a Cryptocurrency Company?

At Rengang, we support entrepreneurs to establish cryptocurrency companies in Costa Rica, which is known for its excellent business environment, clear legal framework and forward-thinking approach to blockchain innovation. Costa Rica is a cryptocurrency-friendly destination with several strategic advantages:

A Cryptocurrency-Friendly Legal Environment

Costa Rica does not have a licensing regime specifically for virtual asset service providers (VASPs). However, cryptocurrency-related activities such as trading, token issuance and blockchain development are completely legal and can be carried out freely.

0% Foreign Income Tax

If your crypto business is targeting foreign customers or businesses, income earned abroad is not subject to local corporate tax. This makes Costa Rica an attractive jurisdiction for global business.

No AML/KYC requirements:

The Costa Rican authorities do not require cryptocurrency companies to implement anti-money laundering or "customer identification" procedures, so you are completely free to conduct your business. However, we strongly recommend that you take internal compliance measures in accordance with the regulations of your customer's jurisdiction.

Easy Merge

The process of setting up a company in Costa Rica is very smooth and usually takes only a few weeks. There are no requirements for resident or citizenship for directors or shareholders, making Costa Rica an attractive option for entrepreneurs from around the world.

Political and economic stability

Costa Rica, one of the most stable democracies in Latin America, is firmly committed to economic freedom and provides a secure basis for the long-term development of business.

Our Crypto Company Formation Package

We offer three comprehensive company formation packages to meet a variety of business needs and objectives.

• Costa Rica Company Registration
• Legal registered address
• Registered Agent
• Pay all state and registration fees

• All services in the basic package
• Company registration documents with official seal
• Legal advice on your encryption activities

• All services in the standard package
• Assistance in opening bank accounts
• Compliance support after the establishment of the company

Requirements of Costa Rica

The process of registering a crypto company in Costa Rica is fast and efficient. The main requirements include

At least one director

A company needs only one director, who may be a foreign citizen. There are no residence or nationality restrictions.

At least two shareholders

At least two shareholders are required. Shareholders can be individuals or corporate entities.

Registered Office

Your company must have a legal address in Costa Rica. We provide registered office services.

Registered Agent

If your director or shareholder is not a resident, a local agent is required. We provide this service to ensure compliance.

Articles of Association

We will help to draft the articles of association and submit them to the National Registry of Costa Rica to complete the company formation.

The process of setting up a crypto company in Costa Rica

Our step-by-step process is designed to help you build your crypto company with ease and confidence. The specific process is as follows

Initial consultation and KYC

We will first collect all necessary documents from you, including details of shareholders, directors and ultimate beneficial owners.

Company Name Booking

We check the availability of your chosen name and book with the Costa Rican authorities.

Articles of Association and Company Registration

We prepare the articles of incorporation and submit them to the National Registry of Costa Rica. Upon submission, we will complete the registration process, including setting up a legal address and appointing a local agent as needed.

Final Submission

After submitting the documents and approval by the relevant departments, your company will be officially registered within 5 to 10 working days.

Support after the establishment of the company

Once your company is successfully registered, we will provide full support to make your business compliant and operate normally:

Annual Renewal

We are responsible for the company's annual updates and ensure that all mandatory documents are submitted to the Costa Rican authorities on time.

Document Management

We assist in the preparation and issuance of important corporate documents, such as certificates of employment, shareholder agreements and other legal documents required for the operation of the company.

Optional bank account settings

If required, we assist in opening a corporate bank account with a local or international banking partner.

Director Services (if required)

We can appoint local staff to strengthen the structure of your company.

Additional Services

We offer a variety of tailored solutions, from business plan development to company secretarial services, designed to meet your company's unique needs.

Comparison with other jurisdictions

Costa Rica offers a favourable, flexible legal environment for cryptocurrency businesses without the burden of a formal licensing regime. For entrepreneurs looking to operate legally, issue tokens or run blockchain-based services, Costa Rica offers a balanced mix of freedom, tax efficiency and international accessibility. Here's how Costa Rica compares to other crypto-friendly jurisdictions:

Costa Rica and the European Union

In the EU, companies trading in digital assets must comply with the MiCA (Crypto Asset Market) framework, which includes complex licensing, reporting and operational obligations. In contrast, Costa Rica does not require a dedicated crypto license-this allows businesses to start up faster, scale up globally, and conduct business with greater flexibility.

Costa Rica versus Panama

Both Costa Rica and Panama offer crypto-friendly environments with no specific VASP regulations. Panama is known for its complete non-taxation of foreign income and high levels of privacy, while Costa Rica offers more institutional stability, a more transparent legal system and direct access to international banking partnerships-a particular attraction for founders who prioritize compliance preparedness and long-term development.

Costa Rica vs. Saint Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG)

Due to less regulation, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines has become a well-known jurisdiction for crypto startups. However, it lacks the legal infrastructure and international reputation of Costa Rica. Costa Rica combines flexibility with legitimacy, thanks to its strong rule of law, democratic governance and global business recognition-a safer long-term base for serious business.