Stablecoin Compliance Checklist for Colombian PSPs in 2025 (UIAF & SFC Rules)
Colombia’s fintech sector is at the forefront of digital asset adoption, making stablecoin compliance Colombia 2025 a top priority for payment service providers (PSPs) and financial leaders. Colombia is part of a regional surge, with Latin America leading global stablecoin adoption for cross-border payments. Recent enforcement actions and a maturing regulatory framework highlight the urgency for compliance, with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) emphasizing that “Establishing effective policies has become a priority for authorities amid the failure of some exchanges and collapse of certain crypto assets” (IMF, 2023).
In this environment, PSPs need to keep pace with both technical innovation and tightening oversight. For detailed guidance on reporting and cross-border regulations, see our Colombian Cross-Border Payment Compliance: A Complete Guide (2025).
Two regulators guide the market—UIAF focuses on AML/CTF data, while SFC supervises licensing and sandbox pilots.
Transactions over USD 150 trigger mandatory crypto reporting and full sender/recipient data capture.
Participation in the SFC sandbox is now a prerequisite for new stablecoin business models.
Strong, documented KYC workflows help providers avoid the fines that topped USD 1.5 million last year.
RegTech adoption is rising as PSPs look to automate audit trails and speed up onboarding.
Understanding Colombia’s Regulatory Landscape: UIAF vs. SFC
Clear regulatory roles are essential for compliance success. In Colombia, two agencies dominate the landscape:
UIAF (Unidad de Información y Análisis Financiero) | SFC (Superintendencia Financiera de Colombia) | |
---|---|---|
Primary Role | Financial intelligence; focused on anti-money laundering (AML) and counter-terrorism financing (CTF). | Supervises all financial institutions, focusing on systemic stability, risk management, and consumer protection. |
Key Mandates | Enforces AML/CTF for crypto through Resolution 314 of 2021: VASPs must submit Suspicious Transaction Reports (ROS) and, if no suspicion, a monthly Non-Report of Suspicious Operations (AROS) (Forvis Mazars, 2024). | Oversees pilot projects, licensing, and technical risk frameworks for VASPs; published a technical document on virtual assets in 2023 (IMF, 2024). |
Enforcement Tools | Investigations, transaction monitoring, information sharing with other authorities. | Licenses, audits, regulatory sandboxes, and sanctions for non-compliance. |
Sandbox/Projects | Collaborates with SFC but does not directly pilot fintech sandboxes. | Led regulatory sandbox (“laArenera SFC”) pilot to test risk management in VASP interactions and develop future guidelines. |
The regulatory sandbox offers a practical glimpse into how SFC is shaping compliance protocols for stablecoin platforms. Learn more about regulatory innovation in our API-First Payments: The Future for PSPs in Colombia. While direct quotes from agency leaders are unavailable, these frameworks clarify their current focus.
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Key Compliance Requirements for Stablecoin PSPs in 2025
The compliance checklist for Colombian PSPs is rooted in transparency, proactive reporting, and customer due diligence. Here’s what every provider must prioritize:
Why proactive compliance stands out:
Strict KYC/AML Standards: PSPs must verify clients, monitor transaction patterns, and document the source of funds according to both SFC and UIAF requirements. Enhanced due diligence is expected for higher-risk customers, requiring more frequent reviews.
Mandatory Reporting: Any crypto transaction over USD 150 must be reported, including full sender/recipient details (Scorechain, 2024).
Sandbox Approval: New stablecoin operations require SFC sandbox participation, with a detailed proposal covering business model, risk management, and consumer protection (IMF, 2024).
While the SFC imposed over $1.5 million USD in fines for non-compliance in 2023 (Mural Pay, 2024), many PSPs are turning to compliance automation and RegTech to streamline these requirements. For more on onboarding and AML procedures, see Stablecoin Pay-Ins vs. Pay-Outs: Which Is Cheaper for Colombian PSPs?.
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Reporting, Training, and Audit: Meeting UIAF & SFC Standards
It’s a question nearly every compliance officer faces: How do you keep up with Colombia’s updated reporting, AML training, and audit requirements?
Colombian fintechs and PSPs must submit suspicious transaction reports to the UIAF for crypto transactions above the USD 150 threshold and maintain both regular and event-driven AML training for staff. While the law outlines minimum requirements, regulators expect training content and frequency to be tailored to employee roles, though specifics remain open to interpretation (Sumsub, 2024).
This means compliance teams should err on the side of caution and document both training efforts and audit outcomes. PSPs may also encounter technological and resource challenges as they adapt to updated reporting and training requirements.
For further detail on reporting requirements, visit our Colombian Cross-Border Payment Compliance: A Complete Guide (2025).
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Building a Sustainable Compliance Roadmap
For PSPs juggling high-volume payouts and shifting regulations, a step-by-step roadmap keeps teams aligned. Start with a baseline gap analysis against the Colombian fintech AML checklist 2025, then prioritize quick wins such as automated address screening and role-based access controls. Document every adjustment to your policy so future audits run smoothly and onboarding times stay low—an approach that has helped many providers cut review cycles by weeks.
Real-World Lessons: Case Studies in Colombian Stablecoin Compliance
Colombia’s stablecoin market is seeing rapid adoption, with over 70% of fintechs planning to launch stablecoin-powered payment options by 2025 (Mural Pay, 2024). Several high-profile examples highlight how transparency and compliance drive trust:
Bancolombia’s Wenia Platform: Launched COPW stablecoin and integrated Chainlink’s Proof of Reserve, aiming to onboard 60,000 users in the first year (Cointelegraph, 2024).
Minteo’s COPM Stablecoin: Achieved over 100,000 users with monthly audits and strict KYC/AML protocols (Mural Pay, 2024).
Qash: Provides a self-custodial USDC wallet, broadening access to dollar-based digital payments.
Num Finance’s nCOP: Targets remittance flows and reduces transaction costs for Colombian users.
Firms implementing batch stablecoin payouts have reported operational efficiencies, such as a 70% reduction in payout time. Batch stablecoin payouts, such as those discussed in Stablecoin Pay-Ins vs. Pay-Outs: Which Is Cheaper for Colombian PSPs?, further show how compliance and operational efficiency can coexist.
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Common Pitfalls and Red Flags for PSPs
Too many PSPs underestimate the risk of non-compliance, only to be blindsided by fines or reputational damage.
Key takeaway: Failing to implement proper AML/KYC measures or to report qualifying transactions can result in penalties—over $1.5 million USD in fines were levied by the SFC in 2023 alone (Mural Pay, 2024).
By investing in compliance infrastructure early, PSPs not only avoid penalties but also build trust with users and regulators, while achieving guaranteed delivery on outgoing payments.
Insufficient KYC processes remain a frequent compliance gap among PSPs. For more on compliance penalties, check our Colombian Cross-Border Payment Compliance: A Complete Guide (2025).
Keywords: Colombian PSP regulations 2025
Innovations and Best Practices: Staying Ahead in 2025
Colombia’s fintech sector is increasingly leveraging RegTech and blockchain analytics to streamline compliance efforts. According to the IMF, banks globally are exploring blockchain trading infrastructure to cut costs and broaden access, a trend reflected in the Colombian market (IMF, 2023).
Industry leaders continue to stress the importance of proactive compliance strategies, while regulatory sandboxes remain a hub for innovation and dialogue between PSPs and authorities. The SFC’s technical document on virtual assets (2023) offers additional best-practice guidance.
To learn more about compliance automation in practice, visit How Colombian Banks Can Offer Global Stablecoin Accounts (GSAs) in 2025.
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The Future of Stablecoin Regulation in Colombia
Colombia’s regulatory framework is being updated, with new legislation such as Bill 510 of 2024 clarifying the rules for Virtual Asset Service Providers and protecting consumers. The IMF has emphasized the global trend toward effective policies for crypto, stating, “Establishing effective policies has become a priority for authorities amid the failure of some exchanges and collapse of certain crypto assets” (IMF, 2023).
Colombia’s authorities continue to collaborate internationally to keep regulation in line with global standards.
Colombian PSPs should anticipate further guidance and adapt quickly as new standards emerge. For ongoing updates on regulatory developments, see our Colombian Cross-Border Payment Compliance: A Complete Guide (2025).
Keywords: Stablecoin compliance Colombia 2025
Frequently Asked Questions: Stablecoin Compliance for Colombian PSPs
It’s common for compliance teams to have ongoing questions about sandbox participation, licensing, and updated standards. The SFC’s technical document on virtual assets (2023) serves as a primary reference for understanding classifications, characteristics, and use cases. While an official FAQ is not available, this document offers a detailed guide to current compliance expectations (IMF, 2024).
For more on sandbox participation, see How Colombian Banks Can Offer Global Stablecoin Accounts (GSAs) in 2025.
Keywords: SFC licensing for crypto PSPs
Want to dig deeper into stablecoin payouts or run a pilot in the SFC sandbox? Contact Mural Pay’s team for a quick walkthrough of our payments API and see how it fits your roadmap.
References
Cointelegraph. (2024). Bancolombia group launches Wenia crypto exchange and COPW stablecoin. https://cointelegraph.com/news/bancolombia-group-wenia-crypto-exchange-copw-stablecoin
Forvis Mazars. (2024). Toward cryptocurrency regulation in Colombia. https://www.forvismazars.com/co/en/insights/our-publications/governace-compliance-and-risk-management/toward-cryptocurrency-regulation
IMF. (2023). Crypto Needs Comprehensive Policies to Protect Economies and Investors. https://www.imf.org/en/Blogs/Articles/2023/07/18/crypto-needs-comprehensive-policies-to-protect-economies-and-investors
Scorechain. (2024). Regulación cripto Colombia. https://www.scorechain.com/resources/crypto-glossary/regulacion-cripto-colombia
Mural Pay. (2024). Various blog articles cited throughout. https://www.muralpay.com/blog/
Sumsub. (2024). AML regulations in Colombia. https://sumsub.com/blog/aml-regulations-colombia/