The virtual assets ecosystem has grown exponentially in Bolivia in recent years. This expansion, driven by technology and innovation, has also created regulatory challenges for authorities responsible for preventing financial crimes. In this context, the Financial Investigations Unit (UIF) has resumed and strengthened its supervisory role over these services through the issuance of Administrative Resolution No. 19/2025, published on April 19, 2025.
RA-19/25 does not emerge in isolation. It is part of a series of efforts that began in December 2024, when the UIF issued Administrative Resolution No. 58/2024, which, for the first time, designated Virtual Asset Service Providers (VASPs) as Obligated Subjects. However, in response to various inquiries from the sector and with the aim of clarifying the scope of this designation, the UIF temporarily suspended its application through RA-60/2024.
That pause allowed for feedback collection, review of definitions, and adjustment of the regulatory approach. As a result of this review process, RA-19/25 reinstates the regulation, establishes obligations with greater precision, and clarifies the entities covered.
According to this new resolution, all natural or legal persons who perform any of the following activities, for or on behalf of a third party, must register as Obligated Subjects with the UIF:
Once registered with the UIF, these providers must comply with a series of responsibilities under anti-money laundering regulations, including:
The inclusion of VASPs as Obligated Subjects represents a regulatory milestone aimed at providing the Bolivian financial system with control mechanisms for an emerging yet potentially misuse-prone activity.
Beyond being a formal requirement, compliance with this regulation means adopting a culture of accountability that builds trust in the market. Non-compliance may lead to administrative sanctions, operational restrictions, and even criminal consequences.
If your company, startup, or digital platform offers services related to the management of virtual assets (exchange, wallets, custody, tokenization, etc.), it is essential to assess whether you fall under RA-19/25 and how to adapt your compliance structure.
At Dentons Guevara & Gutierrez, we provide specialized advisory services for operators in the digital ecosystem, helping them meet new obligations and position themselves securely and responsibly in the market.