Is Crypto Legal in Brunei Darussalam?

Cryptocurrencies occupy a regulatory gray area in Brunei Darussalam, as they are neither explicitly banned nor recognized as legal tender by the authorities. The Brunei Darussalam Central Bank has issued guidance indicating that digital currencies are not regulated under its purview and do not hold official status (1). While individuals may trade or hold cryptocurrencies, they do so without regulatory protections or government endorsement. This cautious approach reflects the government's priority to safeguard financial stability while monitoring global cryptocurrency developments.

Despite the lack of specific cryptocurrency regulations, Brunei has been actively developing its broader fintech ecosystem through supportive government initiatives. The establishment of the Fintech Regulatory Sandbox in February 2017 enabled qualified fintech companies to trial their products in a flexible regulatory environment for a limited period and within set boundaries (2). This framework has contributed to remarkable progress in digital financial services, particularly in payment solutions and digital transformation efforts across the financial sector.

"Central Bank of Brunei issued little guidance on cryptocurrencies other than to warn the public of its risks that cryptocurrencies are not legal tender in Brunei Darussalam and are not regulated by AMBD, and advising the public to be vigilant and exercise extreme caution."

The government's strategy focuses on advancing fintech innovation while maintaining financial system integrity. Brunei Darussalam has identified fintech as a key driver to increase the financial sector's contribution to eight percent of GDP by 2035 from 5.6 percent in 2020, supported by initiatives to expand the digital economy (2). However, specific regulations addressing cryptocurrency trading, mining, or usage remain absent. Investors and users should understand that without formal regulatory frameworks, they operate without consumer protections typically afforded by banking and financial services laws.

Source:
https://asean.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/02-Final-_-Report-Blockchain-for-digital-government.pdf
https://amro-asia.org/role-of-fintech-in-advancing-financial-development-in-brunei-darussalam

Last updated: 18-10-2025 Disclaimer: This article does not provide legal advice. If you need legal advice, please contact an attorney directly.