Proveedor de Servicios de Activos Digitales (PSAD) registration (El Salvador)
El Salvador's PSAD registration lets a firm offer digital-asset exchange, custody or transfer services once CNAD approves it under the Digital Assets Issuance Law. It costs USD 5,475 upfront (reportedly USD 3,650/year after), takes up to 20 business days to decide, and: per a secondary source, since CNAD does not publish this itself: needs USD 2,000 minimum share capital and an El Salvador-resident compliance officer.
At a glance
| Official name | Proveedor de Servicios de Activos Digitales (PSAD) registration1 |
|---|---|
| Local name | Proveedor de Servicios de Activos Digitales (PSAD) |
| Also known as | PSAD · DASP · Digital asset service provider (DASP) registration · CNAD registration · El Salvador crypto licence · Digital Assets Issuance Law registration |
| Issued by | National Commission of Digital Assets |
| Jurisdiction | El Salvador |
| Licence family | Virtual asset service provider (non-MiCA) |
| Legal basis | Ley de Emisión de Activos Digitales (Digital Assets Issuance Law), Decreto Legislativo No. 6432 CNAD's own registration guidance ties the PSAD application to Art. 20 of the Digital Assets Issuance Law together with Arts. 7 and 17-35 of its implementing regulation, the Reglamento de Proveedores de Servicios de Activos Digitales (RPSAD).3 |
| Passporting | Domestic only |
| Minimum capital | A secondary compliance-consultancy source states a minimum share capital of USD 2,000, with at least USD 100 (5%) required to be paid up, and explicitly notes that an earlier, now-superseded version of the rules was widely (and incorrectly) reported as requiring at least two shareholders. Neither of CNAD's own registration pages opened in this session states a capital figure, and the RPSAD's own text (which CNAD cites as governing this) could not be located at an openable URL.4 |
| Application fee | USD 5,4751 |
| Annual fee | A secondary source states an annual fee of USD 3,650 applies after registration. This is consistent with Art. 12 of the Digital Assets Issuance Law, which (per the law dossier's extraction of the statute) sets the initial registration fee at 15 minimum monthly wages and the annual renewal fee at 10 minimum monthly wages: 15x and 10x El Salvador's minimum wage would produce almost exactly the USD 5,475 initial fee and USD 3,650 figure quoted here, but CNAD's own website does not itself publish an annual-fee amount, so this figure is not independently confirmed against a primary source in this session.4 |
| Statutory decision time | 20 business days for CNAD to evaluate a complete PSAD application1 |
| Public register | official register5 |
| Current holders | 87 providers on the live CNAD register (registration numbers PSAD-0001 to PSAD-0097)5 |
What it lets you do, and where
What does an El Salvador PSAD registration let you do, and where can you serve clients?
LEAD DL 643 Article 19 defines the authorised service categories, including exchange, custody, transfer and investment administration. Practitioners confirm an El Salvador DASP licence is valid for Salvadoran operations only and does not passport into EU, UK or other regulated markets. MiCA Regulation (EU) 2023/1114 Article 59(1) mandates EU authorisation for crypto-asset services provided within the Union.2114
Activities it covers
| Virtual asset exchange (FATF) | Exchanging virtual assets for fiat currency or for other virtual assets as a business, as defined in the FATF glossary. |
|---|---|
| Virtual asset transfer (FATF) | Conducting transactions that move virtual assets between addresses or accounts on behalf of another person. |
| Virtual asset safekeeping (FATF) | Safekeeping or administering virtual assets, or instruments enabling control over them, for another person. |
Where it is valid
Do you need it, and is El Salvador the right choice?
What is an El Salvador PSAD registration and do you actually need one?
A Proveedor de Servicios de Activos Digitales (PSAD) registration is a regulatory authorisation granted by the Comisión Nacional de Activos Digitales (CNAD) under the Digital Assets Issuance Law (LEAD, Decreto Legislativo No. 643 of 2023). It authorises commercial exchange, custody, transfer, and trading of digital assets. You need one if you provide digital asset services within El Salvador or actively promote services to Salvadoran residents. You do not need one for pure Bitcoin services, which are regulated separately by the Central Reserve Bank.21
Is an El Salvador PSAD registration right for your business model, and when is El Salvador the wrong choice?
El Salvador suits international Web3 platforms, crypto exchanges and fintechs that want clear statutory regulation, 0% tax under LEAD Article 36 (corporate income, capital gains and VAT exemption), fast statutory evaluation (20 business days) and low capital ($2,000). It is the wrong choice if you need single-market passporting across the EU (which requires MiCA), if your model focuses purely on Bitcoin payments (governed by the BCR BSP regime), or if you require immediate domestic commercial bank accounts.248
Is an El Salvador PSAD registration real regulation or just company registration?
An El Salvador PSAD registration is genuine regulation, not just company registration. RPSAD Article 1 sets regulatory and conduct obligations for registered digital asset service providers. By contrast, the BCR Bitcoin Registry disclaimer states that registration does not mean an authorisation to operate. LEAD DL 643 Article 6 creates CNAD as a decentralised public-law institution with budgetary autonomy; its powers, including imposing sanctions, are in Article 9, and Article 18 creates the DASP Registry.12
Can you serve EU or US clients with an El Salvador PSAD registration?
No. LEAD DL 643 Article 2 defines the territorial scope of Salvadoran digital asset law to the territory of El Salvador. Global Law Experts confirms El Salvador DASP registration is valid only locally and does not replace EU MiCA or UK regulatory permissions. MiCA Regulation (EU) 2023/1114 Article 59(1) prohibits any person from providing crypto-asset services within the Union without authorization.114
Check the provider against the CNAD Registry, whose information is public under the Regulations. Definitive registration numbers are assigned under RPSAD Article 11.7
DASP (CNAD) vs BSP (BCR) in El Salvador, do you need both?
You need both registrations only if your platform handles both Bitcoin and other digital assets. LEAD DL 643 Article 4(b) explicitly carves out digital assets that are legal tender from the law regarding monetary regulation and commercial exchange. The BCR Bitcoin Registry governs entities providing Bitcoin exchange, wallet, custody, and payment services.2128
Global Law Experts confirms a USD 2,000 minimum share capital with USD 100 paid up and debunks the two-shareholder myth. RPSAD Article 17(b) requires providers to keep sufficient funds in their balances to satisfy reimbursement of funds to platform users. RPSAD Article 7(b) requires submission of company incorporation deeds without imposing a crypto capital surcharge.47
What it really takes
How much capital do you really need for an El Salvador PSAD registration?
You need minimum share capital of USD 2,000 for a Sociedad Anónima under Código de Comercio DL 671 Article 192, with 5% minimum paid up; Global Law Experts puts the paid-up amount at at least USD 100. Separately, RPSAD Article 17(b) requires digital asset service providers to hold sufficient funds on their balance sheets to satisfy user redemptions.7134
Who do you have to hire for an El Salvador PSAD, and where must they be based?
You must appoint a local legal representative and a compliance officer who resides in El Salvador, and foreign ownership is allowed up to 100%, per Global Law Experts. RPSAD Article 7(b)(ii) requires submitting a credential of election of the Board of Directors or Sole Administrator registered in the Commercial Registry, or alternatively a general power of attorney with powers to represent the company before public entities. CNAD AML Guide Section 2 mandates appointment and UIF registration of titular and substitute compliance officers meeting UIF requirements.414
The application contents are defined in LEAD Article 20, RPSAD Articles 7 and 8, and CNAD's Procedimiento para registro de PSAD. Applicants submit an online pre-registration form followed by a signed definitive form and 9 mandatory dossiers: 3-year business plan and financial model; user service framework; AML/CFT/CPF manual with UIF-certified compliance officers; enterprise risk factor analysis; digital asset operational rules (spot, forward, options, custody); cybersecurity policies; KYC/KYB/KYT customer due diligence protocols; business continuity/disaster recovery plans; and external audit procedures with geofencing.627
Requirements
| Requirement | What is needed | Legal reference |
|---|---|---|
| Capital and people assessed | ||
| Minimum capital | A secondary compliance-consultancy source states a minimum share capital of USD 2,000, with at least USD 100 (5%) required to be paid up, and explicitly notes that an earlier, now-superseded version of the rules was widely (and incorrectly) reported as requiring at least two shareholders. Neither of CNAD's own registration pages opened in this session states a capital figure, and the RPSAD's own text (which CNAD cites as governing this) could not be located at an openable URL.4 | |
| Who is assessed | Per the same secondary source, only the AML/CFT compliance officer must be El Salvador-resident; foreign shareholders/UBOs may hold up to 100% ownership with no stated residency requirement. No source opened in this session (including CNAD's own pages) describes what background or fit-and-proper checks CNAD itself performs on directors, the legal representative or UBOs.4 | |
| Substance and people | ||
| Management and people | CNAD's own registration pages require the applicant to meet Art. 20 of the Digital Assets Issuance Law together with Arts. 7 and 17-35 of the implementing regulation (RPSAD), but do not themselves list the individual substance requirements (office, local director, compliance function) in readable form online.1 | Art. 20 of the Digital Assets Issuance Law |
| AML/CFT | A secondary compliance-consultancy source describes the requirements as: a locally registered legal entity in El Salvador; a local representative; at least one AML/CFT compliance officer who must be resident in El Salvador; and a written business plan with implemented AML/CFT controls. It states foreign nationals may own up to 100% of the entity and that no local-director requirement applies (only the compliance officer must be resident).4 | |
| Conditions to keep the licence | ||
| Requirement | The USD 5,475 initial registration fee is payable only after a favourable CNAD resolution, within the period CNAD's page states (about 10 business days); registration is not finalised until the fee is paid.1 | |
| Requirement | The PSAD registration file must satisfy Art. 20 of the Digital Assets Issuance Law read together with Arts. 7 and 17-35 of the RPSAD; CNAD does not accept an incomplete file against these articles.3 | Art. 20 of the Digital Assets Issuance Law |
The legal framework
| Level | Document | What it does here |
|---|---|---|
| EU law | Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation | Adjacent supranational EU benchmark demarcating cross-border barriers: an El Salvador PSAD registration confers no passporting, equivalence, or marketing rights into the EU/EEA, where full CASP authorisation under MiCA is mandatory |
| EU law | Transfer of Funds Regulation (travel rule) | Supranational EU benchmark reflecting FATF Recommendation 16 (Travel Rule); in El Salvador, parallel Travel Rule requirements for digital asset transfers are established under RPSAD Art. 19, the UIF Instruction, and CNAD's PSAD AML/CFT Guide |
| EU law | Fourth Anti-Money Laundering Directive (as amended by the fifth, 2018/843) | Supranational EU benchmark embodying FATF international standards for virtual asset service providers, mirrored in El Salvador by domestic AML legislation under the Ley Contra el Lavado de Dinero y de Activos and UIF regulations |
| Act | Digital Assets Issuance Law (Legislative Decree No. 643) | Primary statutory framework for digital assets in El Salvador: establishes the Comisión Nacional de Activos Digitales (CNAD) as regulator (Art. 6), defines digital assets and carves them out from securities law (Art. 3), creates the Public Registry of Digital Asset Service Providers (Art. 18), defines licensable service activities (Art. 19), prescribes registration requirements and the 20-business-day evaluation clock (Art. 20), sets ongoing obligations (Art. 21), statutory fee schedule (Art. 12), tax exemptions (Art. 36), sanctions framework (Arts. 37-41), electronic signature validity (Art. 42), and local establishment requirement for foreign entities (Art. 44(d)) |
| Act | Decreto Legislativo N.º 781 (Reformas a la Ley de Emisión de Activos Digitales) | Amended the Digital Assets Issuance Law to constitute CNAD as an autonomous, decentralised public institution with legal personality, its own patrimony, and institutional budget (published Diario Oficial No. 132, Tomo 440, 2023-07-17), and gave executive-title status to digital asset certifications and smart contracts |
| Act | Código de Comercio de El Salvador (Decreto Legislativo N.º 671) | Parent commercial statute governing the incorporation of Salvadoran commercial companies (Sociedades Anónimas) and the establishment and registration of local branches of foreign companies (Arts. 358-361), compliance with which is mandatory under LEAD Art. 44(d) and RPSAD Art. 7(b) for foreign entities applying for PSAD registration |
| Act | Constitución de la República de El Salvador (Decreto Constituyente N.º 38 de 1983) | Supreme constitutional law of El Salvador: establishes Spanish as the official language of the Republic (Art. 62), enshrines the principle of administrative legality (Art. 86), guarantees due process and right of defence (Art. 11), and regulates administrative sanctioning powers (Art. 14) |
| Secondary legislation | Reglamento de la Ley Contra el Lavado de Dinero y de Activos (Decreto Ejecutivo N.º 2 de 2000) | Executive regulation implementing the LCLDA: establishes operating procedures for compliance programs, customer record retention (minimum 5 years), internal controls, and mandatory coordination between supervisory authorities and the UIF |
| Regulator rules | Reglamento de Proveedores de Servicios de Activos Digitales (Acuerdo del Consejo Directivo de la CNAD N.º CNAD-035-2023) | Principal implementing regulation governing PSADs: details registration filing requirements (Art. 7), receipt and evaluation procedure with a 20-business-day decision clock and 10-business-day deficiency cure window (Art. 8), 5-day clock extension per material amendment (Art. 9), initial registration fee of 15 minimum wages (Art. 10), annual renewal fee of 10 minimum wages (Art. 12), registry modifications (Art. 13), cancellation grounds (Art. 14), quarterly reporting (Arts. 15-16), market conduct and insider dealing prohibitions (Arts. 17-18, 23-24), AML/CFT program obligations (Art. 19), cybersecurity testing (Art. 26), segregation and protection of client assets (Art. 34), and supervisory inspection powers (Arts. 39-44) |
| Regulator rules | Reglamento de Emisión de Ofertas Públicas de Monedas Estables (Sesión CNAD-025-2023, 10 de julio de 2023) | Secondary regulation governing stablecoin issuance in El Salvador: establishes reserve backing, audit, and reporting standards that PSADs must verify prior to admitting, listing, or custodying stablecoins on their platforms under LEAD Art. 21(r) and RPSAD Art. 16(b) |
| Procedure law | Ley de Procedimientos Administrativos (Decreto Legislativo N.º 856) | Parent administrative procedure code governing Salvadoran public administration: establishes Spanish as the official language of administrative proceedings, governs electronic processing and official notifications, establishes negative administrative silence for licensing/authorisation procedures (Arts. 113-115), sets administrative sanctioning procedures referenced in LEAD Art. 37 (Arts. 139-160), and provides the optional administrative reconsideration appeal (Recurso de Reconsideración, Arts. 132-133) within 10 business days before CNAD's Directing Council to exhaust the administrative path |
| Procedure law | Ley de la Jurisdicción Contencioso Administrativa (Decreto Legislativo N.º 760) | Statutory framework governing judicial review and contentious-administrative litigation: confers jurisdiction on the Juzgados y Cámaras de lo Contencioso Administrativo and the Sala de lo Contencioso Administrativo of the Supreme Court of Justice to review the legality of CNAD definitive administrative resolutions (refusal or cancellation of registration, administrative sanctions), subject to a strict, non-extendable filing deadline of 60 working days from the day following notification of the act that exhausts the administrative track (Art. 25) |
| Procedure law | Ley de Firma Electrónica (Decreto Legislativo N.º 688) | Confers full legal validity, enforceability, and evidentiary equivalence to simple and certified electronic signatures in Salvadoran administrative and commercial acts; explicitly applied by LEAD Art. 42 to all CNAD filings, administrative procedures, and electronic submissions made by digital asset service providers |
| Fee schedule | Tasas registrales: Reglamento de Proveedores de Servicios de Activos Digitales (Arts. 10 y 12) y Ley de Emisión de Activos Digitales (Art. 12) | Statutory fee schedule establishing the initial registration fee of 15 monthly minimum wages of the commerce and services sector (USD 5,475) payable within 10 business days of favorable resolution (RPSAD Art. 10), annual renewal fee of 10 monthly minimum wages (USD 3,650) payable in Q1 (RPSAD Art. 12), and USD 50 per additional registration certificate |
| Forms | Formulario de Pre-Inscripción en Línea y Formulario de Solicitud de Registro Definitivo de PSAD (CNAD) | Prescribed registration instruments comprising the online preliminary screening form (hosted via CNAD Google Forms link) and the definitive PSAD registration application form with annexed corporate, governance, AML, and operational documentation filed in digital and physical format at CNAD offices |
5 related regimes and guidance documents
| Level | Document | What it does here |
|---|---|---|
| Guidance | Guía de Gestión de Riesgos de LDA/FT/FPADM para la industria de Activos Digitales (CNAD, 22 de diciembre de 2023) | Supervisory AML/CFT guidance issued by CNAD under LEAD Art. 9(o) establishing the risk-based supervision matrix for PSADs across 10 service activities under LEAD Art. 19 (classifying fiat-to-crypto exchange, platform operations, and third-party transfers as high inherent risk), compliance officer qualifications, Travel Rule adherence, and inspection criteria |
| Guidance | Procedimiento para registro de Proveedores de Servicios de Activos Digitales (CNAD) | Operational manual issued by CNAD establishing the two-stage application procedure (online pre-registration screening and definitive registration), detailing the 9 mandatory application dossiers (3-year business plan, user communication policies, AML/CFT manual, risk factors, operational rules for spot/forward/custody, cybersecurity, KYC/KYB/KYT, business continuity/contingency, external audit/geofencing), and the dual electronic and physical submission requirement at CNAD offices |
| Related regime | Ley Contra el Lavado de Dinero y de Activos (Decreto Legislativo N.º 498) | Primary anti-money laundering statute of El Salvador: defines money laundering and terrorist financing offences, establishes reporting requirements for suspicious operations, and designates financial and non-traditional financial intermediaries as obligated entities subject to AML supervision coordinated by the Financial Investigation Unit (UIF) of the Fiscalía General de la República |
| Related regime | Instructivo de la Unidad de Investigación Financiera para la Prevención, Detección y Control del Lavado de Dinero y de Activos, Financiación del Terrorismo y Financiación de la Proliferación de Armas de Destrucción Masiva | Binding regulatory instruction issued by the UIF of the Fiscalía General de la República: prescribes mandatory appointment, certification, and registration of titular and substitute Compliance Officers (Arts. 5, 64), risk-based customer due diligence (CDD/EDD), beneficial ownership identification (Art. 52), suspicious activity reporting, and Travel Rule implementation for fund and asset transfers |
| Related regime | Ley Bitcoin (Decreto Legislativo N.º 57) | Jurisdictional boundary statute establishing Bitcoin as legal tender in El Salvador and placing pure Bitcoin service providers under the separate supervision and registry of the Banco Central de Reserva (BCR) and Superintendencia del Sistema Financiero (SSF); explicitly carved out from CNAD's digital asset remit under LEAD Art. 2, demarcating CNAD's jurisdiction over non-sovereign digital assets and multi-asset service providers |
The procedure under the law
| Step | What the law says | Legal reference |
|---|---|---|
| How to file | Registration is a two-stage process. First, interested parties fill out a pre-registration form on the official CNAD website. After CNAD issues a 'no objection', the definitive registration documents (complying with Art. 20 of the LEAD and Arts. 7, 17 to 35 of the RPSAD) must be submitted in both digital and physical format at the CNAD offices.16 | Ley de Emisión de Activos Digitales (Decreto Legislativo N.º 643), Art. 20; Reglamento de Proveedores de Servicios de Activos Digitales (Acuerdo CNAD-035-2023), Arts. 7, 8; Ley de Firma Electrónica (DL 688), Art. 42 LEAD |
| Language | None of the governing texts held for this licence (Digital Assets Issuance Law (Legislative Decree No. 643)) contains a provision on the language in which the application must be filed. | |
| What the application contains | Applying has two steps: a pre-registration form giving the applicant's details and the area it wants to operate in, then a definitive registration file. That file must meet Article 20 of the LEAD as specified in Articles 7 and 17-35 of the RPSAD, and is filed at CNAD in digital and physical form. It includes a three-year business plan, AML/CFT, KYC, risk-management, cybersecurity, business-continuity, custody, governance and ethics policies, operational rules, tax registration and two registered AML compliance officers.6718 | Ley de Emisión de Activos Digitales (Decreto Legislativo N.º 643), Art. 20; Reglamento de Proveedores de Servicios de Activos Digitales (Acuerdo CNAD-035-2023), Arts. 7, 8, 17-35; CNAD Procedimiento para registro de Proveedores de Servicios de Activos Digitales |
| Decision clock | CNAD has up to 20 business days to evaluate the definitive-registration file and issue a favorable or unfavorable resolution. If the application is incomplete, CNAD notifies the applicant, who must complete the missing information and documentation within 10 business days. CNAD may also request additional information during evaluation.1 | |
| Fees set by law | Two fees are stated. A one-off initial registration fee of USD 5,475 is payable within 10 days of notification of CNAD's favorable resolution, after which CNAD issues the registration certificate and authorization to operate. After licensing, an annual fee of USD 3,650 applies.2714 | Ley de Emisión de Activos Digitales (Decreto Legislativo N.º 643), Art. 12(1); Reglamento de Proveedores de Servicios de Activos Digitales (Acuerdo CNAD-035-2023), Arts. 10, 12 |
| Grounds for refusal | CNAD may issue an objection at pre-registration for lack of territorial and material competence under LEAD Articles 2 and 4. At definitive registration, CNAD has 20 business days to issue a favourable or unfavourable resolution, or notify an incomplete application, which must be completed within 10 business days. Definitive-registration documents must comply with LEAD Article 20 and RPSAD Articles 7 and 17 to 35.1 | |
| Appeal | Consejo Directivo de la Comisión Nacional de Activos Digitales (CNAD) (internal reconsideration); Juzgados y Cámaras de lo Contencioso Administrativo / Sala de lo Contencioso Administrativo de la Corte Suprema de Justicia (judicial review), within 60 days910 | Ley de Procedimientos Administrativos (Decreto Legislativo N.º 856), Arts. 131, 132, 133; Ley de la Jurisdicción Contencioso Administrativa (Decreto Legislativo N.º 760), Arts. 1, 3, 10, 25; Ley de Emisión de Activos Digitales (DL 643), Art. 37 |
| Validity | They do confirm that registered service providers must pay an annual renewal fee of ten minimum monthly wages of the commerce and services sector (USD 3,650 at adoption) during the first quarter of each year, regardless of the initial registration date. If payment is not verified in that period, the registration is cancelled ex officio and the Article 36 tax benefits are automatically lost. | |
| Change of control | A change of control is not expressly addressed. The Regulations require a modification request to the Registry for any substantial change in registration information, such as change of corporate name, security systems, organizational structure or domicile. The Registry issues proof of receipt and notifies the Service Provider of changes made within 20 business days. Significant changes in application information must be reported immediately to CNAD while its resolution is pending, adding five working days. | |
| Reapplying after a refusal | After an unfavorable resolution, the provider may resubmit its registration request (CNAD registration page).1 | |
| Serving other countries | No passporting. The DASP/PSAD licence is valid only for operations in or from El Salvador; the rights granted cannot be passported. Separate authorisation is required for the EU, UK or other regulated markets. Registration is required for entities domiciled in El Salvador and for foreign entities not domiciled there that actively promote or market services to potential clients in the country. Objections may be based on lack of territorial and material competence under Articles 2 and 4 of the LEAD.841 |
How long it takes
How long does getting an El Salvador PSAD registration really take?
RPSAD Article 8 gives CNAD up to 20 business days to evaluate a complete application and 10 business days for the applicant to cure deficiencies. Global Law Experts observes a 3 to 6 month processing window after a complete application is submitted, with pre-application preparation adding 10 to 16 weeks before submission. LEAD DL 643 Article 20 establishes a statutory evaluation period of up to 20 business days and 5 business days for deficiency rectifications.74
RPSAD Article 8 sets a 20-business-day evaluation clock and grants 10 business days to remedy incomplete applications. RPSAD Article 9 grants CNAD 5 additional business days per significant modification notified during application review. LEAD DL 643 Article 20 establishes a 20-business-day evaluation period and a 5-business-day deficiency cure period.7
Statutory: 20 business days for CNAD to evaluate a complete PSAD application1. Observed: not published. The statutory clock usually starts only when the regulator treats the application as complete, and pauses while it waits for answers to its questions.
What it costs
What does an El Salvador PSAD registration cost in total?
RPSAD Articles 10 and 12 fix the initial registration fee at USD 5,475 and the annual renewal fee at USD 3,650. Global Law Experts verifies the USD 5,475 government fee, the USD 3,650 annual renewal fee, and ongoing reporting costs. LEAD DL 643 Article 12(1)(a)-(b) sets the initial fee at 15 monthly minimum wages and the annual renewal fee at 10 monthly minimum wages.74
Approval odds and who can own it
Who can own and run an El Salvador PSAD company?
Foreign entities may own and run a PSAD. LEAD DL 643 Article 18(d) authorizes foreign entities to operate by forming a Salvadoran Sociedad Anónima or branch. Global Law Experts confirms foreign ownership is permitted up to 100% and debunks the myth of mandatory dual shareholders. RPSAD Article 7 requires the credential of election of the Board of Directors, a description of the organizational structure, and documentation of capacity to offer the indicated digital asset services.24
After you get the licence
What else will you need alongside an El Salvador PSAD registration?
Foreign entities must establish a company or branch registered with the Centro Nacional de Registros under LEAD DL 643 Article 18(d). The guide's Oficialía de Cumplimiento section lists UIF registration and compliance officer requirements among supervisory checks. The Central Bank (BCR) handles registration for Bitcoin Service Providers as a requirement to operate under the Bitcoin Law.2148
Will you get a bank account and payment processing for an El Salvador PSAD?
Global Law Experts highlights pre-licensing bank sequencing and notes domestic bank caution, pointing to international crypto-friendly EMIs. RPSAD Article 34 requires digital asset service providers to establish mechanisms safeguarding the personal information of acquirers, clients, and users. The August 2025 Investment Banking Law creates a dedicated regulated pathway for institutional digital asset banking and custody in El Salvador.47
What does it take to keep an El Salvador PSAD registration, and what is changing?
RPSAD Articles 12 and 14(b) mandate a USD 3,650 renewal in Q1 under penalty of automatic cancellation and loss of tax exemptions. LEAD DL 643 Article 21(m) requires digital asset service providers to report quarterly to CNAD the prices, commissions, and charges for their services. Global Law Experts documents 24-hour incident reporting, quarterly reconciliations, and August 2025 regulatory shifts.724
LEAD Article 37 applies the Ley de Procedimientos Administrativos to administrative procedures and sanctions, and RPSAD Article 14(c) guarantees due process and the right of defence before revocation or cancellation. An unfavourable resolution does not prevent a new application (RPSAD Art. 8).27
Registration stays valid while the US$3,650 annual renewal fee is paid in the first quarter; non-payment during that quarter leads to mandatory cancellation (RPSAD Art. 12; LEAD DL 643 Art. 20(e)). Changes to services, corporate name, domicile, or organization need a modification request (RPSAD Art. 13), and the Registry notifies the changes made within 20 business days. A definitive registration number is assigned after the initial fee (RPSAD Art. 11).72
El Salvador is not on the FATF grey list: the FATF Increased Monitoring publication as of June 2026 lists 22 jurisdictions, excluding El Salvador. RPSAD Article 19 mandates compliance with AML/CFT standards and international best practices articulated by FATF/GAFI. Global Law Experts notes local Salvadoran banks remain cautious and most applicants use international crypto-friendly EMIs.7154
Buying a company that already holds it
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Ready-made companies holding this licence: see verified positions.
VASP in other countries
| Country | Licence | Regulator | Min. capital | Application fee | Statutory time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) | VASP licenceFinancial Services Permission with Virtual Asset Activities Endorsement | FSRA | USD 250,000 | USD 20,000 | n/a |
| Australia | VASP licenceRegistration as a virtual asset service provider (VASP) on the AUSTRAC Virtual Asset Service Provider Register (formerly the Digital Currency Exchange Register) | AUSTRAC | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Bermuda | Digital Asset Business Class F (Full) Licence | BMA | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Bermuda | Digital Asset Business Class M (Modified) Licence | BMA | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Bermuda | Digital Asset Business Class T (Test) Licence | BMA | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| British Virgin Islands | Virtual Assets Service Provider Registration | BVI FSC | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Cayman Islands | Virtual Asset Service Provider Licence | CIMA | n/a | KYD 5,000 | n/a |
| Cayman Islands | Virtual Asset Service Provider Registration | CIMA | n/a | KYD 1,000 | n/a |
| Dubai (VARA) | Virtual Asset Advisory Services Licence | VARA | AED 100,000 | AED 40,000 | n/a |
| Dubai (VARA) | Virtual Asset Broker-Dealer Services Licence | VARA | AED 600,000 | AED 100,000 | n/a |
| Dubai (VARA) | Virtual Asset Custody Services Licence | VARA | AED 600,000 | AED 100,000 | n/a |
| Dubai (VARA) | Virtual Asset Exchange Services Licence | VARA | AED 1,500,000 | AED 100,000 | n/a |
| Dubai (VARA) | Virtual Asset Lending and Borrowing Services Licence | VARA | AED 500,000 | AED 100,000 | n/a |
| Dubai (VARA) | Virtual Asset Management and Investment Services Licence | VARA | AED 500,000 | AED 100,000 | n/a |
| Dubai (VARA) | Virtual Asset Transfer and Settlement Services Licence | VARA | AED 500,000 | AED 40,000 | n/a |
| Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) | Financial Services Permission with Crypto Token Activities Endorsement | DFSA | USD 1,000,000 | USD 15,000 | n/a |
| El Salvador | Proveedor de Servicios de Activos Digitales (PSAD) registration | CNAD | USD 2,000 | USD 5,475 | ~0.9 mo |
| Germany | Qualified crypto custody licence | BaFin | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Ireland | Virtual Asset Service Provider AML/CFT Registration | CBI | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Mauritius | Virtual Asset Advisory Services (Class I) | FSC | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Mauritius | Virtual Asset Broker-Dealer (Class M) | FSC | n/a | MUR 2,000,000 | n/a |
| Mauritius | Virtual Asset Wallet Services (Class O) | FSC | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Mauritius | Virtual Asset Custodian (Class R) | FSC | n/a | MUR 5,000,000 | n/a |
| Mauritius | Virtual Asset Market Place (Class S) | FSC | n/a | MUR 6,500,000 | n/a |
| Seychelles | Virtual Asset Service Provider Licence / RegistrationVirtual Asset Service Provider Licence / Registration (Wallet Provider, Exchange, Broking, Investment Provider) under the Virtual Asset Service Providers Act 2024 | FSA | n/a | SCR 75,000 | n/a |
| South Africa | Crypto Asset Service Provider licenceCrypto Asset Service Provider licence (an FSP authorisation category under FAIS, not a MiCA-equivalent regime) | FSCA | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Switzerland | Financial intermediary / VASP SRO affiliation | FINMA | CHF 10,000,000 | CHF 1,600 | n/a |
| United Kingdom | Cryptoasset Business Registration (MLRs 2017) | FCA | n/a | GBP 11,260 | ~3 mo |
Values come from each licence's page, where every figure has its source.
Laws behind it
- Digital Assets Issuance Law (Legislative Decree No. 643): Decreto Legislativo N.º 643
Getting this licence
Protegra handles this licence end to end: crypto licensing in El Salvador: process, timeline and our fee.
Frequently asked questions
What is an El Salvador PSAD registration and do you actually need one?
A Proveedor de Servicios de Activos Digitales (PSAD) registration is a regulatory authorisation granted by the Comisión Nacional de Activos Digitales (CNAD) under the Digital Assets Issuance Law (LEAD, Decreto Legislativo No. 643 of 2023).
How much capital do you really need for an El Salvador PSAD registration?
You need minimum share capital of USD 2,000 for a Sociedad Anónima under Código de Comercio DL 671 Article 192, with 5% minimum paid up; Global Law Experts puts the paid-up amount at at least USD 100.
How long does getting an El Salvador PSAD registration really take?
RPSAD Article 8 gives CNAD up to 20 business days to evaluate a complete application and 10 business days for the applicant to cure deficiencies.
What does an El Salvador PSAD registration cost in total?
RPSAD Articles 10 and 12 fix the initial registration fee at USD 5,475 and the annual renewal fee at USD 3,650.
What does an El Salvador PSAD registration let you do, and where can you serve clients?
LEAD DL 643 Article 19 defines the authorised service categories, including exchange, custody, transfer and investment administration.
Will you get a bank account and payment processing for an El Salvador PSAD?
Global Law Experts highlights pre-licensing bank sequencing and notes domestic bank caution, pointing to international crypto-friendly EMIs.
Who do you have to hire for an El Salvador PSAD, and where must they be based?
You must appoint a local legal representative and a compliance officer who resides in El Salvador, and foreign ownership is allowed up to 100%, per Global Law Experts.
Is an El Salvador PSAD registration right for your business model, and when is El Salvador the wrong choice?
El Salvador suits international Web3 platforms, crypto exchanges and fintechs that want clear statutory regulation, 0% tax under LEAD Article 36 (corporate income, capital gains and VAT exemption), fast statutory evaluation (20 business days) and low capital ($2,000).
What does it take to keep an El Salvador PSAD registration, and what is changing?
RPSAD Articles 12 and 14(b) mandate a USD 3,650 renewal in Q1 under penalty of automatic cancellation and loss of tax exemptions.
Who can own and run an El Salvador PSAD company?
Foreign entities may own and run a PSAD. LEAD DL 643 Article 18(d) authorizes foreign entities to operate by forming a Salvadoran Sociedad Anónima or branch. Global Law Experts confirms foreign ownership is permitted up to 100% and debunks the myth of mandatory dual shareholders. RPSAD Article 7 requires the credential of election of the Board of Directors, a description of the organizational structure, and documentation of capacity to offer the indicated digital asset services.
Sources
- cnad.gob.sv: register as digital assets service provider dasp · retrieved 2026-09-24
- cnad.gob.sv: 1. Ley de Emision de Activos Digitales DL 643 (PDF) · retrieved 2026-09-24
- cnad.gob.sv: psad · retrieved 2026-09-24
- globallawexperts.com: the el salvador dasp licence in 2026 what we tell clients be · secondary · retrieved 2026-09-24
- cnad.gob.sv: proveedores de servicio de activos digitales · retrieved 2026-09-24
- cnad.gob.sv: Procedimiento para registro de Proveedores de Servicios de A (PDF) · retrieved 2026-10-01
- cnad.gob.sv: Reglamento de Proveedores de Servicios de Activos Digitales (PDF) · retrieved 2026-10-01
- gflolaw.com: el salvador crypto license · retrieved 2026-10-01
- jurisprudencia.gob.sv: FA761 · retrieved 2026-10-01
- asamblea.gob.sv: 7257 · retrieved 2026-10-01
- EUR-Lex: CELEX 32023R1114 · retrieved 2023-06-09
- registrobitcoin.bcr.gob.sv: proveedores registrados · retrieved 2025-10-27
- asamblea.gob.sv: 171117 072920482 archivo documento legislativo (PDF) · retrieved 1970-05-08
- cnad.gob.sv: GuiaPSAD LDA FT ADM Espanol (PDF) · retrieved 2023-12-22
- fatf-gafi.org: increased monitoring june 2026 · retrieved 2026-06-19
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