Forex trading is legal in Bolivia under the regulatory framework established by the Financial Services Supervisory Authority. In 2013, the government enacted a Financial Services Law to protect consumers and promote universal access and transparency, which created the Financial Stability Board consisting of the Ministry of Economy and Public Finance, the Ministry of Planning and Development, the Central Bank of Bolivia, ASFI, and the Supervision and Control Authority of Pension and Insurance (1). This board is responsible for issuing the decrees and resolutions to regulate the banking sector and encourages a high degree of state intervention in the management of financial institutions.
Bolivia is experiencing significant foreign exchange challenges, with the current foreign exchange system giving rise to exchange restrictions due to the authorities' rationing of FX liquidity and prioritization of certain transactions by state entities (2). These official actions have resulted in FX shortages, undue delays in accessing FX for current international transactions, and the emergence of a parallel market where FX is available at a premium. As of end-2024, gross reserves stood at approximately US$2 billion with limited liquid assets available for foreign exchange operations.
"The official exchange system in Bolivia is described as an incomplete crawling peg. Under this system, the official exchange rate is fixed, but may undergo micro readjustments that are not previously announced to the public."
Any hard-currency cash transfer to and from Bolivia must not exceed twenty thousand dollars, and quantities above this amount must be done through electronic transactions using financial institutions (1). All bank transfers in U.S. dollars within and leaving the country must pay a Financial Transaction Tax of 0.03 percent, and any banking transaction above ten thousand dollars in one operation or transactions totaling that amount in three consecutive days require filing a form stating the source of funds.
Source:
https://www.trade.gov/country-commercial-guides/bolivia-trade-financing
https://www.elibrary.imf.org/view/journals/002/2025/116/article-A001-en.xml
Last updated: 15-10-2025 Disclaimer: This article does not provide legal advice. If you need legal advice, please contact an attorney directly.
