The St. Vincent and the Grenadines Financial Services Authority has issued a public warning that an increasing number of online platforms are falsely claiming, or implying, that they are registered, licensed or otherwise authorised to conduct virtual asset business in or from within St. Vincent and the Grenadines. The authority said that no entity is currently registered, licensed or authorised by it to operate as a virtual asset service provider in the jurisdiction, meaning any such representation is false and misleading. The notice states that any person or entity conducting virtual asset services, including exchange, transfer, brokerage, custody or related activities, must be registered or licensed by the authority and be subject to anti-money laundering, countering the financing of terrorism and proliferation financing supervision. Operating without authorisation is described as a breach of applicable laws that may trigger regulatory, civil or criminal action. The authority also warned the public about risks from dealing with such firms, including loss of funds without regulatory protection, fraud or misappropriation of assets, lack of transparency, and delays or inability to recover funds. The authority directed any entity referring to St. Vincent and the Grenadines in connection with virtual asset services to immediately cease and desist from claiming to be regulated by the authority or suggesting it operates from within the jurisdiction unless duly authorised. It said it will continue monitoring the activity, pursue enforcement action including cooperation with international regulators and law enforcement, and urged the public to verify firms' regulatory status before doing business and to report suspicious or misleading activity.
St. Vincent & the Grenadines Financial Services Authority 2026-04-29
St. Vincent and the Grenadines Financial Services Authority warns that no virtual asset service providers are authorised and orders false claims to cease
The St. Vincent and the Grenadines Financial Services Authority warned that more online platforms are falsely claiming to be registered, licensed or otherwise authorised to conduct virtual asset business in or from the jurisdiction, and clarified that no virtual asset service provider is currently authorised by it. It stressed that such providers must be licensed and subject to AML/CFT and proliferation financing supervision, and that operating without authorisation may lead to regulatory, civil or criminal action. It ordered firms to stop misleading claims, signalled ongoing monitoring and enforcement, including cooperation with foreign authorities, and urged the public to verify firms’ regulatory status and report suspicious activity.