Mauritius has put in place a regulatory structure for entities dealing with virtual asset services (VASPs) and for those offering initial token offerings (ITOs) within the non-banking financial sector. The Virtual Asset and Initial Token Offering Services (VAITOS) Act was enacted on February 7, 2022, providing a pathway for businesses looking to engage in VASP activities or launch ITOs within or from Mauritius to seek licensing or registration from the Financial Services Commission (FSC). The VAITOS Act outlines the licensing criteria for various crypto-related services, such as broker-dealer operations for virtual assets, custodial services, wallet services, advisory functions, and trading platforms like cryptocurrency exchanges.
In Mauritius, cryptocurrencies and virtual assets (VAs) are not recognized as legal tender, in contrast to fiat currencies. Nevertheless, individuals and companies are free to utilize cryptocurrencies at their own risk, and there is a notable awareness and acceptance of these digital assets within the country. The introduction of the VAITOS Act has been a transformative step for Mauritius’s cryptocurrency legislation, creating a more advanced, equitable, and secure framework for regulating the digital asset market in Africa.
The Act mandates that businesses establish robust systems and controls to verify the legitimacy of funds and wealth sources, while also safeguarding consumer rights according to set regulations. Entities that do not comply with the VAITOS Act’s stipulations may incur substantial fines in Mauritian rupees (MUR).
Mauritius has implemented a range of digital asset regulations that have contributed to the stability of its cryptocurrency environment. The country adheres to all 40 recommendations of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), the international body that sets standards for combating money laundering and terrorist financing. The VAITOS Act aligns with the FATF’s Recommendation 15, which advocates for the regulation of VASPs for anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing, requiring them to be licensed and subject to effective monitoring or oversight.
What you'll learn 👉
Easiest and cheapest ways to buy crypto in Mauritius
Getting bitcoins in Mauritius is not an easy task as not all popular crypto exchanges are available to Mauritius citizens. This is a current list of bitcoin exchanges that allow users from Mauritius to buy crypto. They all support buying crypto with credit/debit cards but some of them offer other payment methods as well.
Impressively, this exchange allows you to buy and sell Bitcoin using any payment method that you prefer. Also, the exchange supports over 230 countries including Kenya, Ghana, Cameroon, Nigeria, and Chad.
⚡️ Deposit fees: Free ⚡️ Withdrawal fees: None ⚡️ Trading fees: N/A ⚡️ Payment Methods: EUR Bank Transfer, MasterCard, MTN Mobile Money, Orange Money, US Bank Transfer, or VISA ⚡️ Supported fiat: USD, XAF, GHS, KES, UGX, RWF, ZMW, NGN
Various payment methods Supports many countries instant buy/sell (no registration needed)
👛 Ease of Use – Easy 👛 Fees – High 👛 Verification – 1 Day 👛 Reputation – Trusted 👛 Supported fiat – USD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD
Coinmama is one of the oldest centralized cryptocurrency exchanges on the market. It was founded in Israel in 2013. Today, Coinmama’s head office is in Dublin, Ireland. Using this crypto exchange, you can easily and quickly buy and sell 10 different cryptocurrencies.
Coinmama is a cryptocurrency exchange that allows users to buy and sell a small selection of digital assets using various payment methods, including credit cards, bank account transfers, and payment apps. It is known for its easy-to-use platform and fast verification process, but it has high fees and a limited selection of cryptocurrencies. It also does not offer a wallet service and has mediocre educational content. Coinmama may be a good fit for those who want to make occasional small crypto purchases, but it may not be suitable for long-term use due to its high fees and limited features.
⚡️ Deposit fees: 0 – 5 % ⚡️ Withdrawal fees: None ⚡️ Trading fees: 2.9 – 3.9 % ⚡️ Payment Methods: Bank Transfer (SEPA), SWIFT, Fedwire, Bank cards, Open Banking, Google Pay, Apple Pay, Skrill ⚡️ Supported fiat: USD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD
150+ countries supported Mobile App (iOS and Android) Various payment methods Quick verification process
Fees above the industry average Only 10 cryptocurrencies No wallet or trading options, just purchases or sells
👛 Ease of Use – Medium 👛 Fees – Low 👛 Verification – 1 Day 👛 Reputation – Trusted 👛 Supported fiat – USD, EUR, GBP, AUD, RUB
Over 30 million users worldwide and more than $15 billion in daily trading volume make Binance the world’s largest centralized cryptocurrencies exchange. Originally launched in 2017 in Hong Kong, the platform is still unregulated, it quickly became the most used exchange on the market. Binance is supported in 60+ countries (excluding the U.S).
On Binance, you can buy, sell, and trade a large number of cryptos with low fees. Two Factor Authentication, cold storage, and multi-sig wallets provide Binance users excellent security. It is considered one of the most secure cryptocurrencies exchange in the crypto sphere. Binance supports spot trading, margin trading, P2P trading, futures, earn (locked savings, fixed savings, yield farming, and DeFi staking), mining, and staking pools. You can trade more than 350 cryptos and over 1300 trading pairs.
⚡️ Deposit fees: Free ⚡️ Withdrawal fees: Vary from crypto to crypto ⚡️ Trading fees: 0.1% ⚡️ Payment Methods: Debit Card, Credit Card, SWIFT, Bank Transfer (SEPA), and more ⚡️ Supported fiat: USD, EUR, GBP, AUD, RUB, and 15+ more
Low fees High liquidity Lite and Pro version 350+ cryptos and 20+ fiat currencies
Not accessible to U.S. users Hacked in 2019
Best Bitcoin Wallets in Mauritius
It is never a good idea to keep your coins on an exchange as that exposes you to numerous risks (exchange hacks, fund freezes by the exchange or some government regulatory body, etc). That is why you should use one of the wallets we list below to store your digital assets.
But, which bitcoin wallet is available in this country?
The safest option is a hardware wallet like Nano X but ZenGo is also a good choice, especially for newcomers.
👛 Ease of Use – Easy 👛 Fees – High 👛 Verification – 1 Day 👛 Reputation – Trusted 👛 Supported fiat – USD, EUR, GBP, RUB
Founded in 2013 in London, UK, and with over 4 million users, Cex.io is among the oldest cryptocurrency exchange platforms on the market. On Cex.io, you can buy, sell, trade, and store over 100 cryptocurrencies.
This centralized exchange supports fiat to crypto purchases, margin trading, spot trading, staking, lending, leverage, and savings. It has more than 100 cryptocurrencies available for trade and over 220 trading pairs. Today, Cex.io is available in more than 180 countries around the globe (including the U.S.). Cex.io applies AML and KYC policies, and it is registered with The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN).
👛 Ease of Use – Easy 👛 Fees – Average 👛 Verification – 2-3 Days 👛 Reputation – Trusted 👛 Supported fiat – USD, EUR, GBP, JPY, CAD
Established in 2011, Kraken has carved a niche for itself as a trusted and reliable crypto exchange. It boasts support for an impressive roster of over 220 digital assets, encompassing major cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, Ethereum, Cardano, and many others. Security has always been a cornerstone for Kraken, making it a go-to choice for many.
Its global footprint is vast, covering a majority of countries with only a few exceptions such as Iran and Washington state. On the convenience front, Kraken doesn’t disappoint. Users have a wide array of payment options at their disposal, and the platform is also flexible when it comes to fiat currency transactions. Additionally, seasoned traders can leverage advanced features to optimize their trading strategies.
⚡️ Deposit fees: EUR SEPA Deposit (Free) – EEA countries only USD Bank Wire Deposit ($5 USD) – US onlyEUR Bank Wire Deposit (€10) – outside the US only USD Bank Wire Deposit ($10 USD) – outside US onlyJPY Bank deposit (Free, ¥5,000 deposit minimum) – Japan-only USD, Wire Deposit (Free) ⚡️ Withdrawal fees: Cryptocurrency: Fees vary, SEPA Withdrawal (€0.09) – EEA countries only USD Bank Wire Withdrawal ($5 USD) – US only USD Bank Wire Withdrawal ($60 USD) – outside US onlyEUR Bank Wire Withdrawal (€60) – outside US onlyJPY Bank withdrawal (¥20) – Japan onlyCAD EFT Withdrawal ($10 CAD) ⚡️ Trading fees: Maker: 0.16%Taker: 0.28% ⚡️ Payment Methods: Fedwire, Bank Transfer (SEPA), SWIFT, Wire Transfer, Etana Custody, Silvergate Exchange Network (SEN), FPS, CHAPS, and BACS, PayID, Osko ⚡️ Supported fiat: USD, EUR, GBP, JPY, CAD
Available almost worldwide High security Over 90 cryptocurrencies Various payment methods
Fees slightly above the industry average No tax support
The quick verification process, numerous custom tools, strong customer support, bank-grade security, and a user-friendly interface are all responsible for a large number of users the platform has gained in a short period. Although Coinsmart is more practical for newbie traders with its easy-to-use system, experienced traders can also benefit from it by using the various advanced tools it features. Canadian citizens make up the majority of users, but it is not restricted to only them, it supports over 20 countries.
⚡️ Deposit fees: 0 – 6 % ⚡️ Withdrawal fees: 1% ($15 Minimum) ⚡️ Trading fees: 0.20% for a single trade and 0.40% for double trade ⚡️ Payment Methods: Interac E-transfer, Bank draft, SEPA, Wire transfer, Credit card, Debit card, Simplex, and Crypto assets ⚡️ Supported fiat: CAD
Low Trading Fees 24/7 Customer support Easy-to-use Regulated platform
Doesn’t support many cryptos Fiat can be funded only in CAD
Frequently asked questions about buying Bitcoin in Mauritius
Is Bitcoin legal in Mauritius❓
Mauritius has Bitcoin-friendly legislation, welcoming Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies within its borders. Unfortunately, the island nation only has a few exchanges for its citizens to use. Coinmama is a popular option in the country and is available to nearly every nation in the world.
Is bitcoin taxable in Mauritius❓
It is suggested that the Mauritius Income Tax Act 1995 be amended to charge bitcoin income in the form of either a property tax or capital gains in order to be included in the definition of gross income.
Is Kraken supported in Mauritius❓
Yes, Kraken is available in Mauritius.
How can I buy Bitcoin in Mauritius❓
You can buy Bitcoin on any of the exchanges mentioned in this article.
Where can I sell bitcoins in Mauritius❓
Pursa is the most popular crypto exchange in Mauritius.
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