Forex trading appears to operate in a relatively unregulated environment in Haiti, with no specific legislation prohibiting or explicitly authorizing retail foreign exchange trading. The Haitian government does not impose restrictions on capital inflows or outflows, and the Law of 1989 governs international transfer operations and remittances (1). Residents and foreigners can hold bank accounts in both local currency (Haitian gourde) and USD, with no restrictions on the amount of foreign currency that may be held or transferred abroad.
The Banque de la République d'Haïti (BRH), Haiti's central bank, maintains oversight of the foreign exchange market through daily reference rates and monetary policy. The Haitian gourde is fully convertible for commercial and capital transactions, with exchange rates determined by market forces rather than government controls (1). Banks and currency exchange companies are permitted to set their rates at market-clearing levels, indicating a liberalized foreign exchange environment that could accommodate forex trading activities.
"The BRH publishes a daily reference rate, which is a weighted average of exchange rates offered in the formal and informal exchange markets. The market determines the exchange rate for the HTG."
While there is no explicit prohibition on forex trading, Haiti lacks comprehensive financial services regulations that would provide clear legal framework for retail forex brokers and trading platforms. The government has expressed intentions to implement stricter monitoring measures for money transfers in accordance with the 2013 Anti-Money Laundering Act (1). Potential forex traders in Haiti should exercise caution and ensure they work with properly licensed international brokers, as the regulatory landscape remains underdeveloped compared to more established financial markets (2).
Source:
https://www.trade.gov/country-commercial-guides/haiti-trade-financing
https://www.state.gov/reports/2024-investment-climate-statements/haiti/
Last updated: 01-06-2025 Disclaimer: This article does not provide legal advice. If you need legal advice, please contact an attorney directly.
