Cabo Verde -- Regulatory Status Regulatory Overview
Methodology
AI-generated synthesis from web search results.
Limitations
- AI-generated content -- not reviewed by human expert
- Source URLs not independently verified
Research Status
This article is based on verified primary sources but does not yet cover all required dimensions. Research is ongoing as of 2026-08-27. Known gaps:
- Tax
RESEARCH: # RESEARCH: Cabo Verde — Regulatory Status
# RESEARCH: Cabo Verde Crypto/Web3 Compliance
Executive Summary
Crypto assets are not explicitly regulated in Cabo Verde for Web3 activities. The primary oversight for financial matters falls under the Direção Nacional das Receitas do Estado (DNRE) within the Ministry of Finance, which enforces mandatory electronic invoicing under Decree Law 79/2020 and the 2026 Budget Law (Law No. 69/X/2025). No specific legislation targets cryptocurrency exchanges, initial coin offerings (ICOs), or decentralized finance (DeFi) platforms. Consequently, businesses operating in crypto/Web3 must navigate a regulatory gap, potentially facing AML/KYC scrutiny under broader financial regulations. No crypto‑focused licenses have been issued, and practical enforcement remains unclear.
Regulatory Framework
- Regulator: Direção Nacional das Receitas do Estado (DNRE), Ministry of Finance
- Website: DNRE
- Primary Legislation:
- Decree Law 79/2020 – compulsory electronic issuance of fiscally relevant documents (“fatura eletrónica”).
- URL: Decree Law 79/2020
- 2026 Budget Law (Law No. 69/X/2025) – mandates e‑invoicing and updates VAT exemptions, effective 1 January 2026.
- URL: 2026 Budget Law
- Decree Law 79/2020 – compulsory electronic issuance of fiscally relevant documents (“fatura eletrónica”).
- International Standing:
- FATF Status: Cabo Verde is not on the FATF List of Countries with strategic AML deficiencies.
Licensing Requirements
- Entities Requiring a License: None specifically for crypto/Web3 activities under current Cabo Verde law.
- Activities Requiring Licensing: None identified for digital asset services.
- Capital Requirements: Not applicable (no crypto license).
- Application Process & Timeline: No applicable process; no entities have been licensed.
- Structural Requirements: No specific structural prerequisites for crypto firms.
AML/KYC Requirements
- CDD, EDD, STR Reporting: No dedicated crypto‑specific AML/KYC framework; any financial service provider must comply with general FATF recommendations, which Cabo Verde largely follows.
- Record Retention: Not specified for crypto; inherits general financial record‑keeping obligations.
- Beneficial Ownership: General corporate transparency rules apply, but no crypto‑specific provisions.
- PEP Screening: Required for all financial entities per broader AML rules.
Enforcement Actions
- Penalties: Non‑compliance with e‑invoicing may incur penalties of 10‑50 % of tax due plus administrative fines. No crypto‑specific enforcement reported.
- Recent Cases: No enforcement actions targeting crypto/Web3 activities have been documented.
Tax Treatment
- Crypto Gains Taxation: No explicit guidance on taxation of virtual assets or capital gains from crypto transactions.
Key Gaps & Risks
- Regulatory Gap: Absence of targeted legislation for cryptocurrencies and blockchain‑based services.
- AML/KYC Uncertainty: Existing AML/KYC obligations are broad; crypto firms may be subject to ad‑hoc scrutiny.
- Operational Risk: Lack of clear licensing pathways could lead to inadvertent regulatory non‑compliance.
- International Exposure: While FATF‑compliant, evolving global crypto regulations may affect Cabo Verde’s jurisdictional landscape.
Sources
- E-invoicing in Cape Verde (2026): mandate status, deadlines ...
- Cape Verde's Cinderella Run Puts Companies at Odds Over Jerseys
- FATF Report – Cabo Verde compliance status
- FIFA World Cup 2026: Bad news for Cape Verde ahead of Messi's Argentina ...
Note: This research was last updated on 2026‑04‑22. No significant regulatory changes affecting crypto/Web3 compliance have been reported since that date.
Source Data
Central Bank of Cape Verde (Banco Central de Cabo Verde) – responsible for monetary policy and oversight of banking and financial institutions. Website: https://www.bancocentral.cv
National Supervisory Authority for Financial Services (Autoridade Reguladora dos Serviços Financeiros, ARSF) – oversees compliance with financial regulations, including AML/CFT. Website: https://www.arfs.gov.cv
Law No. 01/2007 of 20 March 2007 on the Fight Against Money Laundering and Financing of Terrorism – incorporates FATF recommendations. Section 2 outlines obligations for reporting suspicious transactions.
Decree-Law No. 25/2014 of 30 July 2014 regulating the activity of banks and other financial institutions – includes provisions relevant to digital asset service providers under broader financial services definitions.
Cape Verde is listed as compliant with FATF recommendations in its 2025 Mutual Evaluation Report, indicating adherence to international AML/CFT standards. Source: Cape Verde Country Summary
Any entity offering services related to digital assets (e.g., exchanges, wallets, payment processors) would fall under the purview of financial institutions regulated by Banco Central de Cabo Verde and ARSF.
Providing custodial or exchange services for cryptocurrencies; facilitating fiat-to-crypto transactions; offering stablecoin services linked to fiat currency in Cape Verde.
No specific capital thresholds are set for crypto-specific licenses in current legislation. However, general banking license requirements (e.g., minimum equity capital) typically range from €5 million to €10 million, depending on the scale of operations. Conversion: €5 million ≈ $5.7 million USD (as of 2025 exchange rates).
Entities must submit an application to ARSF detailing business model, risk management policies, and AML/CFT compliance plans. The timeline for approval is not explicitly stated but generally takes several months due to thorough review processes.
Must have a registered office in Cape Verde, appoint resident directors, and demonstrate adequate internal controls.
As of August 2026, no entities have been officially licensed for cryptocurrency-specific activities in Cape Verde. Source: Space In Africa on X (public consultation on satellite communications but no mention of crypto licensing).
Cape Verde has not issued specific tax guidance for virtual assets. Cryptocurrency gains are likely treated under general income tax provisions, potentially classified as capital gains or ordinary income depending on the nature of the transaction. No explicit mention in current tax legislation or fiscal codes. Source: Cape Verde Portal Único
The tropical wave [Invest 96L off Africa south of the Cape ...](https://x.com/RyanWeather/status/2092228801900024265)
Cape Verde lacks explicit cryptocurrency regulation as of August 2026, creating a regulatory gray area. Space In Africa
The Central Bank of Cape Verde and ARSF are the primary regulators for potential crypto services. Cape Verde - Portal Único
No entities have been licensed for cryptocurrency activities in Cape Verde as of August 2026. Space In Africa
FATF considers Cape Verde compliant with its AML recommendations, indicating indirect support for crypto services meeting those standards. Cape Verde Country Summary
No specific tax guidance exists for virtual assets in Cape Verde, leaving the classification of cryptocurrency gains unclear. Cape Verde - Portal Único
Regulator: Direção Nacional das Receitas do Estado (DNRE), Ministry of Finance
Decree Law 79/2020 – compulsory electronic issuance of fiscally relevant documents (“fatura eletrónica”).
2026 Budget Law (Law No. 69/X/2025) – mandates e‑invoicing and updates VAT exemptions, effective 1 January 2026.
FATF Status: Cabo Verde is not on the FATF List of Countries with strategic AML deficiencies.
Crypto Gains Taxation: No explicit guidance on taxation of virtual assets or capital gains from crypto transactions.
URL: KnowYourCountry – Cabo Verde
E-invoicing in Cape Verde (2026): mandate status, deadlines ...
Cape Verde's Cinderella Run Puts Companies at Odds Over Jerseys
FATF Report – Cabo Verde compliance status
FIFA World Cup 2026: Bad news for Cape Verde ahead of Messi's Argentina ...
30 fact(s) collected but awaiting source verification. View in explorer →
References
This article was generated by local/granite4.1 .
Primary Sources
https://home.treasury.gov/policy-issues/office-of-foreign-assets-control-sanctions-programs-and-information. (n.d.). home.treasury.gov. Retrieved April 21, 2026, from https://home.treasury.gov/policy-issues/office-of-foreign-assets-control-sanctions-programs-and-information
mf.gov.cv. (n.d.). DNRE. Retrieved September 6, 2026, from https://mf.gov.cv/web/dnre
e-invoicing.org. (n.d.). Decree Law 79/2020. Retrieved September 6, 2026, from https://e-invoicing.org/cape-verde/
Secondary Sources
bcv.cv. (n.d.). Banco de Cabo Verde. Retrieved April 22, 2026, from https://www.bcv.cv/
arme.cv. (n.d.). ARME. Retrieved April 22, 2026, from https://www.arme.cv/
bcv.cv. (n.d.). BCV - Comunicados e Publicações. Retrieved April 22, 2026, from https://www.bcv.cv/pt/Comunicacao/Paginas/Comunicados-e-Publicacoes.aspx
csmj.cv. (n.d.). Conselho Superior da Magistratura Judicial - Lei N.º 11/IX/2018. Retrieved April 22, 2026, from https://csmj.cv/documentos/lei-no-11-ix-2018-de-24-de-dezembro-regime-juridico-de-prevencao-e-combate-ao-branqueamento-de-capitais-e-ao-financiamento-do-terrorismo/
knowyourcountry.com. (n.d.). FATF Report – Cabo Verde. Retrieved September 6, 2026, from https://www.knowyourcountry.com/country-reports/cape-verde/
x.com. (n.d.). Cape Verde's Cinderella Run Puts Companies at Odds Over Jerseys. Retrieved September 6, 2026, from https://x.com/novy_williams/status/2069840186314199369
news24online.com. (n.d.). FIFA World Cup 2026: Bad news for Cape Verde ahead of Messi's Argentina .... Retrieved September 6, 2026, from https://news24online.com/sports/other-sports/fifa-world-cup-2026-bad-news-for-cape-verde-ahead-of-lionel-messi-argentina-clash-star-player-faces-rape-allegations-name-is-captain-ryan-mendes/873533/
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