Catenaa, Sunday, September 28, 2025- Fiji has reinforced its ban on cryptocurrency services, preventing residents from buying or trading digital assets with local funds, officials confirmed early last week.
The National Anti-Money Laundering Council cited risks to financial stability and national security as the primary reasons for maintaining the restrictions.
Under the latest measures, the Reserve Bank of Fiji has prohibited crypto exchanges, transfers, and custody services within the country.
Residents are barred from using Fijian dollars to purchase any cryptocurrency, signaling a firm stance against virtual asset activity and limiting investor participation locally.
Authorities emphasized that the ban aims to safeguard the financial system and prevent illicit transactions.
Oceania shows a patchwork of crypto regulations. While Vanuatu and Nauru have established licensing regimes for crypto firms, the Marshall Islands introduced its own digital currency in 2018.
Meanwhile, Papua New Guinea and Samoa have yet to implement formal regulatory frameworks, leaving crypto activity largely unregulated.
Australia and New Zealand, the region’s largest economies, are advancing structured approaches to digital assets.
Their regulatory development contrasts sharply with Fiji’s prohibition, highlighting divergent strategies across Oceania in managing cryptocurrency risks and fostering financial innovation.
Observers say Fiji’s restrictions may deter foreign investment and limit domestic access to emerging blockchain technologies.
