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Indonesia’s Cryptocurrency Market Growth
Indonesia has recently seen a significant increase in cryptocurrency transactions, with the total amounting to IDR 30 trillion ($1.92 billion) in February, as reported by the country’s crypto regulator.
Key Statistics:
- Registered crypto investors in Indonesia reached 19 million last month.
- 170,000 new users were added compared to January.
The surge in crypto transactions is attributed to the positive market sentiments driven by the rise in Bitcoin’s price and the rally in altcoins.
Outlook for Indonesia’s Crypto Market
The regulator anticipates that Indonesia could surpass the transaction volume recorded during the 2021 bull run, which was $51.28 billion. A rebound in 2024 is expected following the downward trend in 2022 and 2023, with the upcoming Bitcoin halving seen as a significant catalyst.
Taxation and Regulatory Changes
To encourage increased crypto transactions, Bappebti is considering reducing or eliminating taxes on cryptocurrencies. Currently, users are subject to a 0.10% tax for Income Tax and a 0.11% tax for Value Added Tax (VAT), while exchanges face a 0.02% tax per transaction.
Tirta Karma Senjaya emphasized the importance of not imposing heavy taxes on the industry to foster growth.
Transition in Oversight
The transfer of crypto oversight to the Financial Services Authority (OJK) in January 2025 is expected to lead to significant changes. This transition may involve reclassifying cryptocurrencies as securities and revising VAT policies.
New Crypto Regulations in Indonesia
Last week, Indonesia’s Financial Services Authority (OJK) issued new regulations set to take effect in January 2025. These regulations aim to guide banks, insurance companies, and other financial entities on leveraging new technologies.
Regulatory Impact:
- The rules acknowledge the impact of technological advancements on financial products and services.
- They provide a foundation for managing advancements in the crypto space within the finance sector.
The OJK is working closely with Bappebti and Bank Indonesia to form a transition team for supervising digital financial assets.
International Collaborations
Internationally, the OJK is collaborating with financial authorities from Malaysia, Singapore, and Dubai to establish a comprehensive crypto policy. Memorandums of Understanding have been drafted with key entities in these countries to develop a robust regulatory framework.