Bali to crack down on foreign tourists using crypto as payment

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TEMPO.CO, Jakarta – The provincial government of Bali will crack down on foreign tourists using crypto as payment in hotels, restaurants, tourist destinations, shopping malls and other places.

“Foreign tourists who behave inappropriately, engage in activities that are not permitted in their visa permit, use crypto as a form of payment and violate other provisions will be dealt with firmly,” the governor said on Sunday. Bali, Wayan Koster.

He made this known at the Bali Tourism Development Press Conference which was attended by the Chief Inspector General of Bali Police, Putu Jayan Danu Putra, the head of Bank Indonesia ( BI) – Bali Representative Office, Trisno Nugroho, and other related parties.

“Strict actions range from eviction, administrative penalties, criminal penalties, closure of business premises and other severe penalties,” Koster said.

Koster said the ban on using currencies other than rupiah as means of payment in Indonesia referred to Currency Law No. 7 of 2011.

Based on Law No. 7 of 2011, if anyone uses other forms of currency other than Rupee, he can be punished with imprisonment for up to one year and a fine of up to 200 million Rp ($13,300).

Furthermore, the rupiah as the official currency in Indonesia is also regulated by Law No. 4 of 2023 regarding the Development and Strengthening of the Financial Sector.

“Persons who engage in foreign exchange business without the permission of Bank Indonesia may be punished with imprisonment for a minimum of one year and a maximum of five years, and a minimum fine of 50 million of Rp ($3,300) and a maximum of Rp 22 billion ($1.4 million),” Koster said.

In addition, the requirement to use rupiah within Indonesian territory is also governed by Bank Indonesia Regulation No. 17/3/PBI/2015.

“Violations will be subject to administrative sanctions in the form of written reprimands, obligations to pay fines and bans on payment transactions,” Koster said.

Meanwhile, the head of BI Bali’s representative office, Nugroho, said that crypto as an asset is allowed, but prohibited as a payment instrument.

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