Bolivia's Ministry of Finance approved Supreme Decree No. 5384 establishing a regulatory framework for Financial Technology Companies (Empresas de Tecnología Financiera, ETFs or fintechs), allowing them to provide digital services across financial services, the securities market and insurance under the supervision of the Financial System Supervision Authority (ASFI). The new regime requires fintech activities to be authorised by ASFI, bringing more than 40 firms currently operating in Bolivia into a formal licensing and compliance framework. Under the decree, ETFs must obtain an incorporation permit and an operating licence from ASFI and, in some cases, enter a controlled testing environment. Covered activities include payment platforms and services using digital assets or blockchain, with requirements to meet security standards for confidentiality, integrity and authentication to protect users. The framework initially recognises five areas of activity: blockchain-based solutions (including tokenised assets, virtual assets and/or virtual asset service providers), payment systems, financing platforms, technologies for companies, and future initiatives defined by ASFI. ASFI has 40 business days to issue the specific implementing regulation, after which existing operators are expected to align their operations with the new requirements.

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