Bitfinex has achieved a significant milestone by securing a Digital Asset Service Provider licence in El Salvador, completing its regulatory framework for spot trading, crypto derivatives, and tokenized securities within the country.
The National Commission of Digital Assets (CNAD) registered two core Bitfinex-linked entities on April 23, a move that was publicly announced by the exchange on May 12. These registrations cover not only the core trading platform but also Bitfinex Securities El Salvador and Bitfinex Derivatives El Salvador, creating a full regulated presence for the company across its main business lines.
According to records from El Salvador’s CNAD public registry, the entities are listed under PSAD-0082 and PSAD-0083. Their operations include exchanging digital assets, managing trading platforms, asset transfers, custody, order reception, and executing trades in derivatives tied to digital assets. This regulatory setup enhances Bitfinex's capability to serve Latin American users under proper supervision.
Paolo Ardoino, Bitfinex’s Chief Technology Officer, highlighted the importance of these licences as proof of the firm’s commitment to the local market. However, not all products will be universally accessible due to location-based restrictions and eligibility rules; for example, U.S. persons remain prohibited from opening accounts on Bitfinex’s primary platform.
The approval complements earlier registrations: Bitfinex Securities, the first platform authorized under El Salvador’s Digital Assets Issuance Law, was registered in late 2023 to handle tokenized financial instruments such as debt, equity, and fund-related products. This broad regulatory coverage positions Bitfinex well for expanding its trading and tokenized capital markets strategy in the region.
