The Pacific island nation of Nauru passes crypto legislation

The Republic of Nauru, a remote island nation in the western Pacific Ocean, has passed a law that could transform the country into a regional hub for crypto, digital banking, and Web3 innovation.

On Tuesday, Nauru’s Parliament approved a bill establishing the Command Ridge Virtual Asset Authority (CRVAA), a newly formed regulatory body tasked with overseeing virtual asset services and enforcing the country’s licensing framework.

The bill is Nauru’s most significant move yet toward institutionalizing digital finance.

CRVAA to oversee digital asset services

Named after the island’s highest elevation, the Command Ridge Virtual Asset Authority will become the primary regulatory authority for all digital asset-related activities in the country. 

According to the government statement issued on July 17, the CRVAA will license and supervise virtual asset service providers (VASPs), digital banking operations, and Web3 services.

The new law covers both centralized and decentralized digital finance ecosystems. Activities subject to CRVAA authorization include the operation of exchanges, custodial and non-custodial wallet services, token issuance through ICOs and STOs, non-fungible tokens (NFTs), lending and staking protocols, DeFi platforms, and stablecoin issuance. 

It also extends to digital banking operations, cross-border payments, and the issuance and management of electronic money. With the legislation in place, companies licensed under CRVAA will be allowed to operate globally while using Nauru as their jurisdictional base. 

Minister Eoe: Nauru is competitive in the digital economy

Commerce and Foreign Investment Minister Maverick Eoe presented the bill to lawmakers and framed it as a calculated bid to compete globally. He said the law introduces a framework that puts Nauru in the list of “forward-thinking countries” already generating revenue through virtual assets and digital innovation.

“More countries are recognizing the potential of virtual assets from blockchain technologies to decentralized finance,” Eoe reckoned. “This bill proposes to introduce a framework that will put Nauru on par with other countries leading in the development of their digital economies.”

He added that the licensing system could attract international businesses, encourage investment, and stimulate local job creation through digital sectors.

“By regulating VASPs, token issuance, and secure digital transactions, we can position Nauru as a hub for these types of innovation and development within this part of the world,” the minister surmised.

The legislation, he continued, goes beyond compliance or legal frameworks. “It is a commitment to the future prosperity of the country and a statement that Nauru does not fear the digital transformation, but embraces it and leads within the Pacific region,” he concluded.

Legal clarity for crypto in one of the world’s smallest nations

Before the bill’s passage, crypto trading in Nauru was legal but lacked formal regulation or oversight. The new legislation now defines digital assets as commodities rather than securities. Payment tokens are explicitly excluded from investment contract status, giving legal certainty to blockchain applications.

The small island country, measuring just 21 square kilometers with a population of approximately 12,500, is the third-smallest country in the world by area and the world’s smallest island nation. Nauru’s government is using its legislative flexibility to become a significant player in the global digital economy.

President David Adeang described the law as a “leap toward economic modernization” and resilience. In his address following the bill’s approval, Adeang said, “The law harnesses the potential of virtual assets to diversify revenue streams and fortify economic resilience.”

The president also mentioned that Nauru is among the Pacific’s most vulnerable nations, owing to its designation under the United Nations Multidimensional Vulnerability Index (MVI), which tracks susceptibility to economic and environmental shocks. 

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