19/05/2026
El Salvador 2026: DASP License for Crypto. Better than the rest?
El Salvador is often mentioned in Bitcoin-related news. But after the agreement with the IMF, the country changed its approach: accepting Bitcoin is no longer mandatory, while the regulatory framework for crypto companies has become more structured.
One important nuance: the IMF removed the political Bitcoin experiment, but did not dismantle the commercial infrastructure. The 2023 LEAD Law, which forms the basis of the entire DASP regime, remained intact. For operators, this distinction matters.
What is DASP and why is it interesting?
Supervision is carried out by CNAD, the National Commission of Digital Assets. The DASP status, Digital Asset Service Provider, covers a broad range of activities: exchanges, custodians, brokers, OTC desks, token issuers, stablecoins, NFTs and RWA. There is also a separate BSP license for Bitcoin-specific services.
What makes the jurisdiction competitive in 2026?
✔️Tax regime. Corporate tax on income from digital asset activities is 0%. VAT does not apply to the exchange of digital assets.
✔️Low entry threshold. Minimum share capital starts from $2,000. The CNAD government fee is $5,475. Compared with European MiCA requirements or UAE VASP routes, this is a completely different cost level.
✔️Realistic timing. The process from document preparation to obtaining the license takes from 3 to 6 months, depending on the complexity of the project.
✔️Regulatory clarity. CNAD maintains a public register of authorized operators. The license has measurable reputational value, especially across the Americas.
✔️USD operating environment. Business operates in USD, with no currency risk or exchange-rate losses.
You will need:
→ a local company
→ an AML/CFT framework
→ two local compliance officers
→ a three-year business plan
→ cybersecurity policies
→ operating procedures
✉️ For consultation: DM