Forex trading is legal in Colombia and operates under a comprehensive regulatory framework overseen by multiple government authorities. The Banco de la República, Colombia's central bank, has the mandate to regulate the foreign exchange market and authorize foreign exchange intermediaries (1). The Financial Superintendence of Colombia supervises financial institutions involved in forex trading, ensuring compliance with established regulations and protecting investors from fraudulent activities (2).
Colombia authorizes 47 entities as foreign exchange intermediaries, including banks, financial corporations, stockbrokers, and specialized payment companies. These entities must register with the Banco de la República and operate under the supervision of the Financial Superintendence of Colombia, which enforces anti-money laundering guidelines and proper investor protection measures (1). The regulatory framework includes specific requirements for reporting and registering foreign exchange operations, with the government maintaining authority to impose fines for non-compliance.
"The BR has the mandate to regulate the FX market and the FXI. Eligible entities to be FXI must be registered. They are entities under supervision of the Financial Superintendency of Colombia."
The Colombian government established External Regulation 1 in 2018 to simplify and integrate all directives related to foreign exchange operations. This regulation not only compiled relevant directives but also updated and softened certain controls, allowing for simpler and more efficient procedures (2). While Colombian residents can trade forex through authorized intermediaries, the regulatory framework maintains specific controls including obligations for reporting certain transactions to ensure market stability and transparency.
Source:
https://www.elibrary.imf.org/view/journals/019/2025/014/article-A001-en.xml
https://investincolombia.com.co/en/how-to-invest/exchange-regime
Last updated: 15-10-2025 Disclaimer: This article does not provide legal advice. If you need legal advice, please contact an attorney directly.
