In Indonesia, cryptocurrency trading remains legal but using crypto for payments comes with hefty penalties, charges and potentially even jail time.

The government of Bali, a popular touristic city within the Asian nation, has recently turned up the heat. This time, the warning about the illicit crypto-related activities were directed to the tourists themselves. Government-owned media outlet Antara reported that Bali Governor Wayan Koster on May 28 issued a warning to tourists which “use crypto as a means of payment”.

Koster stated that such individuals “will be dealt with firmly”; an eerie statement by the official. ““Strict actions range from deportation, administrative sanctions, criminal penalties, closure of business premises and other tough sanctions,” Koster added.

Furthermore, the Bali Governor re-iterated that the rupiah, which is Indonesia’s local currency, is the only one which can be legally used to make payments in the country, and that the use of other currencies carries a maximum potential fine of 200 million rupiah ($13,000) and a sentence of one year in prison.

Sources:

https://cointelegraph.com/news/bali-governor-warns-on-crypto-payments

https://decrypt.co/142720/bali-tells-tourists-dont-pay-with-crypto/

https://dailyhodl.com/2023/05/29/tourists-in-bali-warned-against-using-crypto-for-payments-governor-says-theyll-be-dealt-with-firmly-report/

https://en.antaranews.com/news/283182/bali-to-crack-down-on-foreign-tourists-using-crypto-as-payment