Crypto License in Panama
Enter the Market Before Regulation Tightens
A dedicated crypto license in Panama has not been introduced yet — and that opens a window. An international crypto business can launch legally today through a local company, mandatory AML registration and a properly built structure. Foreign income stays untaxed, and settlements run in US dollars.
AMS Europe delivers that structure turnkey: the company, AML/UAF, compliance documents and a banking strategy. You start operating now and get a ready foundation for adapting to the future licensing regime.
Why crypto companies choose Panama
Territorial taxation
Only profit generated within Panama is subject to corporate tax. Money earned from foreign clients — the norm for digital-asset ventures — stays outside corporate tax. The yearly franchise fee is a flat USD 300.
A dollar economy
Legal tender is the US dollar. That removes conversion risk and the reporting friction that two-currency countries create.
Incorporation without friction
A Sociedad Anónima (S.A.) appears on the register within a week or two. The law demands no minimum capital, no resident director and no physical premises — an unusual mix for a reputable jurisdiction.
Off the EU grey list
Since 2025 the country no longer appears on the European list of high-risk jurisdictions. Local companies have since found it noticeably easier to open accounts and connect payment services.
AMS Europe service plans and fees
Two routes to a compliant crypto business in Panama: a new company with the full AML setup, or a ready-made Panama company.
Price
from €4,500
Official costs are billed separately and quoted in writing before you sign: government charges, the registered agent’s annual fee and any custom legal opinion add roughly USD 3,000–8,000 in the first year.
What the package covers:
- incorporation of the S.A. with a registered agent and the full corporate document set;
- registration with the financial intelligence unit (UAF) and everything Law 23/2015 requires: a named compliance officer, KYC/CDD and suspicious-activity reporting;
- an AML/CFT policy pack aligned with FATF guidance and built around your real token flows;
- a shortlist of banks and payment providers, plus a readiness plan for the arrival of the licensing regime.
Price
from €2,500
A clean, pre-registered Panama S.A. transfers to you within days — for those who need a corporate vehicle right now.
A note on the total cost: a ready-made company does not have its own AML registration. The AML framework is established after the transfer. With the compliance work included, the overall spend ends up close to Plan 1 — this route mainly saves time, not money.
Every transfer includes:
- verification of the company’s standing and history;
- the share transfer and change of directors;
- a clear plan to bring the AML/UAF framework live before operations begin.
How AMS sets up a crypto company in Panama
Honesty about what Panama is — and isn’t
There is no crypto license to buy in Panama today — that permit simply doesn’t exist. Anyone who offers to “sell” one is misreading the law. What we build instead is a fully legal, AML-compliant company, and we tell you exactly where the current regulatory line sits.
AML done properly
Registration with the UAF under Law 23/2015 is the principal current compliance obligation in Panama. We implement the AML framework so that it can withstand genuine regulatory scrutiny — appointing a compliance officer, introducing appropriate KYC/CDD procedures and establishing the reporting processes that independently managed structures frequently fail to implement correctly.
Designed for future regulation
Panama is moving toward a licensing regime. We design the company and its policies with that in mind. Once the new rules take effect, you adapt an existing compliant business instead of rebuilding it from scratch — and gain a ready foundation for applying as soon as the procedure opens.
Banking planned from day one
A company without a bank account is just a name on paper. We build the banking strategy into the setup itself, targeting banks and payment providers with a real track record of onboarding Panamanian crypto clients since the grey-list exit.
One provider for the full structure
One team handles company formation, territorial-tax structuring and AML compliance under a single agreement — no gaps between separate providers, and one point of accountability for the whole project.
Straight talk on jurisdiction fit
If Panama is the wrong base for your model, we say so at the first meeting. Then we compare it honestly with a licensed alternative: an EU CASP license under MiCA or Dubai’s VARA.
Crypto company in Panama step by step
The path runs through clear checkpoints — from scoping to a bank-ready, future-proof structure. Below are the key stages with realistic timelines.
Scoping and structure review
Estimated timeframe: a few days
We map your model against what the country requires today and where the pending law would place it.
Includes:
- analysis of token flows, clients and income sources
- confirmation that no license currently applies — and which AML duties bind you
- a written budget and roadmap
Company formation
Estimated timeframe: 1–2 weeks
We incorporate the S.A. — or transfer a ready-made one — entirely remotely.
Includes:
- the agent appointment and corporate papers
- share structure and officers
- groundwork for the bank file
AML/UAF framework
Estimated timeframe: 2–4 weeks
We build the compliance framework that Law 23/2015 requires and register the company with the UAF.
Includes:
- UAF enrolment and the officer appointment
- the KYC/CDD playbook plus the policy pack
- the suspicious-activity reporting process
Banking and launch
Estimated timeframe: 2–8 weeks
The entity moves from registered to operational.
Includes:
- applications to banks and payment processors
- accounting configured for the territorial regime
- monitoring switched on
Ongoing and future-proofing
Estimated timeframe: continuous
We keep the structure current and ready for the license regime.
Includes:
- yearly filings plus the USD 300 franchise fee
- ongoing monitoring and UAF reports
- a trigger plan for the day the new law passes
Crypto business in Panama: requirements
Panama does not currently have a separate crypto license, but legal operations still require compliance with corporate, AML and banking requirements.
License status
Current Panamanian legislation does not provide for a separate permit specifically for crypto businesses. A company may begin operating if it complies with the applicable corporate and AML requirements. At the same time, a new regulatory regime is already under discussion, so it is important to structure the business in advance with potential future licensing in mind.
AML and compliance
Regulated models need a fully built AML framework. That means UAF registration, an appointed compliance officer, KYC/CDD procedures, transaction monitoring and suspicious-activity reporting. The policies must reflect the actual business model rather than exist only on paper.
Corporate structure
International crypto projects typically use a Panamanian Sociedad Anónima. The company requires no minimum share capital, no resident director and no mandatory physical office. However, the legal entity alone is not enough: compliance, accounting and operational processes must be established separately.
Taxation
Corporate tax generally applies only to income sourced within Panama, while the annual franchise fee is fixed at USD 300. The effectiveness of the structure depends on the correct determination of the source of income — this is where professional tax and legal structuring becomes particularly important.
Banking requirements
The law asks for little, but banks ask for more. Banks and payment providers assess not only the company’s registration; they also look at beneficial owners, source of funds, client geography, asset flows and the economic substance of the business. A properly prepared banking file improves the chances of opening accounts and maintaining stable access to banking and payment services.
PANAMA OR A LICENSED JURISDICTION?
The honest answer depends on what your model needs today.
Panama suits you if speed, low cost and tax neutrality matter most, your clients sit abroad, and you value getting established before the rules tighten.
A licensed hub suits you if institutional partners, regulated banking, exchange listings or an app-store presence demand a formal license right now — Dubai’s VARA or an EU CASP permit under MiCA being the usual candidates.
Most of our clients weigh both, and we say plainly at the first meeting which one your model actually needs.
The Panama window is open now — the licensing regime is coming
Send us your model and within a few days you’ll have a clear picture: whether Panama fits, what the setup really costs, and how the pending law affects your specific case. No commitments — just honest numbers and a straight answer on your options.
FAQ: Crypto license in Panama
Is there a crypto license in Panama?
Panama has no dedicated, universal crypto license yet. Bills under discussion may establish a special registration, supervision or licensing regime for virtual asset service providers. However, the final rules and their timing are still open.
Is it legal to run a crypto business in Panama?
Yes. There is no prohibition and no permit is required at present. The key binding rule is AML under Law 23/2015: UAF registration, a named officer and KYC/CDD.
How much does it cost to set up a crypto company in Panama?
AMS Europe support starts from €4,500. We calculate government, agent, legal and compliance costs separately. A realistic first-year budget is USD 3,000–8,000, depending on the structure and business model. In addition, a Panamanian company pays an annual fee of 300 balboas, equivalent to USD 300.
How is crypto income taxed in Panama?
Panama applies the territorial principle: corporate tax falls primarily on income from Panamanian sources. Income from foreign activity may qualify as foreign-source — that depends on more than the client’s location, as the nature of the services, the place of performance, the contractual model and the company’s actual operations all matter.
What happens when the new crypto law passes?
The initiatives under discussion envisage a special regime for virtual asset service providers, including supervision, registration and AML controls. Lawmakers have not yet approved the final content, the company requirements or the transition timeline. We build the corporate and compliance processes in advance, so the structure can then adapt to the new rules without a full business restart.
Can I buy a ready-made company in Panama?
Yes. A pre-registered Panamanian S.A. transfers to a new owner after we verify its status, history and corporate documents. Available options start from €2,500. We determine AML duties and registration steps after the transfer, based on the company’s intended activity. A ready legal entity by itself does not mean the company can conduct crypto operations.