Rwanda vs Trinidad and Tobago
Crypto regulation comparison
Rwanda
Trinidad and Tobago
Restricted
Restricted
Rwanda is developing a comprehensive crypto regulatory framework. The NBR and Capital Markets Authority are drafting a law requiring VASPs to obtain CMA licenses. The draft law prohibits crypto as legal tender, bans mining and crypto ATMs, and imposes fines up to 30M RWF and imprisonment for unlicensed operators.
Trinidad and Tobago's crypto sector is largely unregulated. The Central Bank, TTSEC, and FIU jointly warned in 2019 that crypto providers are neither regulated nor supervised. A 2025 Virtual Assets Bill proposes banning crypto transactions until December 2027 with fines up to M TTD. Most banks block crypto purchases.
Tax Type
None
Tax Type
Unclear
Tax Rate
N/A
Tax Rate
N/A
Exchanges
No
Exchanges
No
Mining
No
Mining
Yes
Regulator
National Bank of Rwanda (NBR), Capital Markets Authority (CMA)
Regulator
Central Bank of Trinidad and Tobago (CBTT), TTSEC
Stablecoin Rules
Draft law prohibits crypto as payment; mining and crypto ATMs banned
Stablecoin Rules
No stablecoin regulation
Key Points
- Draft law requires VASPs to obtain licenses from Capital Markets Authority
- Crypto prohibited as legal tender or payment method under draft law
- Crypto mining, crypto ATMs, and mixer/tumbler services banned
- Penalties include fines up to 30M RWF and up to 5 years imprisonment
- Framework driven by FATF compliance on AML requirements
Key Points
- Joint 2019 advisory: crypto providers neither regulated nor supervised
- Virtual Assets Bill 2025 proposes ban on crypto transactions until December 2027
- Most commercial banks block crypto-related transactions
- Proposed fines up to M TTD for unauthorized virtual asset activities
- TTSEC designated as primary regulator under proposed legislation