{ "jurisdiction_id": "LA", "jurisdiction": "Laos", "url": "https://payments.gi/jurisdictions/laos/", "generator": "render_jid v13.3.0", "date_modified": "2026-08-11", "schema_version": "world-payments-v1", "counts": { "modules": 14, "sourced_findings": 73, "source_register": 133 }, "modules": [ { "code": "W1a", "name": "Licensing, Authorisation & Market Access", "confidence": "High", "moved_this_cycle": true, "url": "https://payments.gi/jurisdictions/laos/#w1a-licensing-authorisation-market-access", "standing_position": "Laos' payment-services legal framework rests on the Law on Payment System (2017), amended per Presidential Decree (18 Dec 2025), layered with Decision No. 288/BOL (2020) and cross-border PSP licensing implementing rules requiring an existing domestic PSP licence. BOL is the sole licensing/supervisory authority.", "findings": [ { "finding": null, "instrument_type": "Law (Amended Law on Payment System, Presidential Decree)", "source": "https://www.bol.gov.la/en/fileupload/18-12-2025_1766051569.pdf", "source_url": "https://ilawasia.com/blogs/a-new-legislation-regarding-the-payment-service-system-in-lao-pdr", "source_tier": "1", "retrieved_at": null }, { "finding": null, "instrument_type": "Decision (BOL Decision 511/BOL)", "source": "https://ilawasia.com/blogs/a-new-legislation-regarding-the-payment-service-system-in-lao-pdr", "source_url": "https://www.vdb-loi.com/laos_publication/the-bol-updates-its-regulations-on-carrying-cash-into-and-out-of-the-lao-pdr/", "source_tier": "3", "retrieved_at": null }, { "finding": null, "instrument_type": "Decision (BOL Decision 511/BOL)", "source": "https://www.rajahtannasia.com/viewpoints/regional-round-up-lao-pdr-q2-2025/", "source_url": "https://www.vdb-loi.com/laos_publication/the-bol-updates-its-regulations-on-carrying-cash-into-and-out-of-the-lao-pdr/", "source_tier": "3", "retrieved_at": null }, { "finding": null, "instrument_type": "Decision (288/BOL, 293/BOL - superseded)", "source": "https://www.zicoholdings.com/alert-laos-new-license-requirement-in-lao-payment-services-sector/", "source_url": "https://www.vdb-loi.com/laos_publication/the-bol-updates-its-regulations-on-carrying-cash-into-and-out-of-the-lao-pdr/", "source_tier": "3", "retrieved_at": null }, { "finding": null, "instrument_type": "Decision (BOL Decision 511/BOL) - cross-border licensing", "source": "https://ilawasia.com/blogs/a-new-legislation-regarding-the-payment-service-system-in-lao-pdr", "source_url": "https://www.vdb-loi.com/laos_publication/the-bol-updates-its-regulations-on-carrying-cash-into-and-out-of-the-lao-pdr/", "source_tier": "3", "retrieved_at": null }, { "finding": null, "instrument_type": "Decision (BOL notice)", "source": "https://www.vdb-loi.com/laos_publication/the-bol-updates-its-regulations-on-carrying-cash-into-and-out-of-the-lao-pdr/", "source_url": "https://www.vdb-loi.com/laos_publication/the-bol-updates-its-regulations-on-carrying-cash-into-and-out-of-the-lao-pdr/", "source_tier": "2", "retrieved_at": null } ] }, { "code": "W1b", "name": "Conduct, Safeguarding & Financial Promotions", "confidence": "High", "moved_this_cycle": false, "url": "https://payments.gi/jurisdictions/laos/#w1b-conduct-safeguarding-financial-promotions", "standing_position": "Conduct and consumer-facing safeguarding obligations for payment/financial services flow from the Decree on Consumer Protection regarding Financial Services No. 225/GOV (2020), which elaborates the Law on Commercial Banks' complaint-handling duties, plus BOL's financial-promotion advertising rules and a January 2026 updated financial consumer protection decree. There is no CASS-style ring-fenced safeguarding-account regime; protection instead rests on complaint-handling, disclosure and advertising-conduct rules enforced by BOL.", "findings": [ { "finding": null, "instrument_type": "Decree (225/GOV)", "source": "https://www.tilleke.com/insights/decree-on-consumer-protection-in-the-financial-sector-in-laos/", "source_url": "https://www.bol.gov.la/en/fileupload/05-01-2026_1767584786.pdf", "source_tier": "3", "retrieved_at": null }, { "finding": null, "instrument_type": "Decree (225/GOV)", "source": "https://www.mondaq.com/financial-services/1044280/decree-on-consumer-protection-in-the-financial-sector-in-laos", "source_url": "https://www.bol.gov.la/en/fileupload/05-01-2026_1767584786.pdf", "source_tier": "3", "retrieved_at": null }, { "finding": null, "instrument_type": "Decree (Financial Consumer Protection, unofficial translation, Jan 2026)", "source": "https://www.bol.gov.la/en/fileupload/05-01-2026_1767584786.pdf", "source_url": "https://www.bol.gov.la/en/fileupload/05-01-2026_1767584786.pdf", "source_tier": "1", "retrieved_at": null }, { "finding": null, "instrument_type": "Decree/Instruction (unsolicited commercial communications, 2020)", "source": "https://www.dlapiperdataprotection.com/guide.pdf?c=LA", "source_url": "https://www.bol.gov.la/en/fileupload/05-01-2026_1767584786.pdf", "source_tier": "3", "retrieved_at": null }, { "finding": null, "instrument_type": "BOL prudential policy", "source": "https://www.tilleke.com/insights/laos-updates-regulatory-framework-commercial-banks/2/", "source_url": "https://www.bol.gov.la/en/fileupload/05-01-2026_1767584786.pdf", "source_tier": "3", "retrieved_at": null } ] }, { "code": "W2", "name": "Stablecoins & Digital Money", "confidence": "Assessed", "moved_this_cycle": false, "url": "https://payments.gi/jurisdictions/laos/#w2-stablecoins-digital-money", "standing_position": "Laos operates a ministerial-level pilot regime for digital assets rather than a finalised statutory framework: MOTC Decision 888/MOTC (2021) and BOL Decision 777/BOL (2021) govern trial cryptocurrency trading platforms and mining, while Decree 52 defines e-money (value stored electronically and prepaid to banks/e-wallet providers). The IMF's 2023 technical assistance report found the framework directionally sound but lacking key prudential/conduct depth, and FATF's 2023 MER flagged material AML gaps in virtual-asset supervision.", "findings": [ { "finding": null, "instrument_type": "IMF Technical Assistance Report (Regulation and Supervision of Crypto Assets)", "source": "https://www.elibrary.imf.org/view/journals/002/2023/319/article-A001-en.xml", "source_url": "https://www.elibrary.imf.org/view/journals/002/2023/319/article-A001-en.xml", "source_tier": "1", "retrieved_at": null }, { "finding": null, "instrument_type": "Ministerial Decision (888/MOTC, 777/BOL, 2021)", "source": "https://www.legal500.com/developments/thought-leadership/ilawasia-co-ltd/", "source_url": "https://www.elliptic.co/blog/the-challenges-of-crypto-regulation-in-laos", "source_tier": "3", "retrieved_at": null }, { "finding": null, "instrument_type": "Decree 52 (e-money definition)", "source": "https://www.tilleke.com/insights/laos-updates-the-law-on-commercial-banks/14/", "source_url": "https://www.elliptic.co/blog/the-challenges-of-crypto-regulation-in-laos", "source_tier": "3", "retrieved_at": null }, { "finding": null, "instrument_type": "FATF Mutual Evaluation Report (2023)", "source": "https://www.elliptic.co/blog/the-challenges-of-crypto-regulation-in-laos", "source_url": "https://www.elliptic.co/blog/the-challenges-of-crypto-regulation-in-laos", "source_tier": "3", "retrieved_at": null }, { "finding": null, "instrument_type": "BOL licence grant (crypto trading platforms)", "source": "https://english.news.cn/asiapacific/20220119/d58d9ca2cd7848e5bb18646f6993a63d/c.html", "source_url": "https://www.elliptic.co/blog/the-challenges-of-crypto-regulation-in-laos", "source_tier": "3", "retrieved_at": null }, { "finding": null, "instrument_type": "Enforcement notice (crypto mining fees)", "source": "https://laotiantimes.com/2023/11/15/laos-plans-crackdown-on-non-compliant-crypto-firms/", "source_url": "https://www.elliptic.co/blog/the-challenges-of-crypto-regulation-in-laos", "source_tier": "3", "retrieved_at": null } ] }, { "code": "W3", "name": "Operational Resilience & Critical Infrastructure", "confidence": "High", "moved_this_cycle": false, "url": "https://payments.gi/jurisdictions/laos/#w3-operational-resilience-critical-infrastructure", "standing_position": "Operational resilience is governed by the Law on Cybersecurity No. 87/NA (2025), which established a 24-hour Cyber Command Center and National Cybersecurity Operations Center, building on the 2015 Law on Prevention and Combatting Cyber Crime (which created LaoCERT) and the Law on Electronic Data Protection (2017, implemented 2018). There is no dedicated payments-specific operational-resilience instrument (no DORA-equivalent); resilience obligations for payment system operators are embedded in the general cybersecurity/critical-infrastructure and payment-system licensing framework.", "findings": [ { "finding": null, "instrument_type": "Law on Cybersecurity No. 87/NA (2025)", "source": "https://ilawasia.com/blogs/laos-cybersecurity-law-a-pillar-of-digital-transformation", "source_url": "https://ilawasia.com/blogs/laos-cybersecurity-law-a-pillar-of-digital-transformation", "source_tier": "3", "retrieved_at": null }, { "finding": null, "instrument_type": "Law on Prevention and Combatting Cyber Crime (2015)", "source": "https://www.coe.int/en/web/octopus/-/lao-people-s-democratic-republic", "source_url": "https://ilawasia.com/blogs/laos-cybersecurity-law-a-pillar-of-digital-transformation", "source_tier": "2", "retrieved_at": null }, { "finding": null, "instrument_type": "Law on Electronic Data Protection (2017) + Instructions (2018)", "source": "https://www.dlapiperdataprotection.com/index.html?t=law&c=LA", "source_url": "https://ilawasia.com/blogs/laos-cybersecurity-law-a-pillar-of-digital-transformation", "source_tier": "3", "retrieved_at": null }, { "finding": null, "instrument_type": "Draft Cybersecurity Law (legislative process)", "source": "https://kpl.gov.la/En/detail.aspx?id=92111", "source_url": "https://ilawasia.com/blogs/laos-cybersecurity-law-a-pillar-of-digital-transformation", "source_tier": "3", "retrieved_at": null }, { "finding": null, "instrument_type": "World Bank digital-economy assessment", "source": "https://thedocs.worldbank.org/en/doc/c01714a0bc2ca257bdfe8f3f75a64adc-0070062022/original/Positioning-The-Lao-PDR-for-a-Digital-Future-11-10-22.pdf", "source_url": "https://ilawasia.com/blogs/laos-cybersecurity-law-a-pillar-of-digital-transformation", "source_tier": "1", "retrieved_at": null } ] }, { "code": "W4", "name": "Scheme & Network Compliance", "confidence": "Assessed", "moved_this_cycle": false, "url": "https://payments.gi/jurisdictions/laos/#w4-scheme-network-compliance", "standing_position": "China UnionPay is the de facto national card scheme in Laos, with near-total POS/ATM acceptance since a 2015 build-out partnership with China Development Bank and BOL; the Lao National Payment Network (LAPNet), co-founded with UnionPay as shareholder, administers the domestic LaoQR standard and interoperability rules. No standalone interchange-fee regulation or public PCI DSS mandate specific to Laos was identified; scheme compliance runs primarily through LAPNet/UnionPay technical standards.", "findings": [ { "finding": null, "instrument_type": "Scheme partnership (UnionPay/LAPNet)", "source": "https://www.caixinglobal.com/2024-12-20/unionpay-takes-its-qr-payment-network-into-laos-making-shopping-by-mobile-easier-102270004.html", "source_url": "https://www.caixinglobal.com/2024-12-20/unionpay-takes-its-qr-payment-network-into-laos-making-shopping-by-mobile-easier-102270004.html", "source_tier": "3", "retrieved_at": null }, { "finding": null, "instrument_type": "Scheme standard (LaoQR)", "source": "https://www.prnewswire.com/apac/news-releases/unionpay-international-accelerates-interconnection-and-interoperability-of-qr-code-payment-network-in-southeast-asia-301994606.html", "source_url": "https://www.caixinglobal.com/2024-12-20/unionpay-takes-its-qr-payment-network-into-laos-making-shopping-by-mobile-easier-102270004.html", "source_tier": "3", "retrieved_at": null }, { "finding": null, "instrument_type": "Scheme statistics", "source": "https://fintechnews.sg/34411/laos/latest-laos-mobile-payments-partnership-to-target-chinese-tourist/", "source_url": "https://www.caixinglobal.com/2024-12-20/unionpay-takes-its-qr-payment-network-into-laos-making-shopping-by-mobile-easier-102270004.html", "source_tier": "3", "retrieved_at": null }, { "finding": null, "instrument_type": "Scheme interoperability (Laos-Vietnam QR)", "source": "https://laotiantimes.com/2025/01/10/laos-vietnam-launch-cross-border-qr-code-payment-system/", "source_url": "https://www.caixinglobal.com/2024-12-20/unionpay-takes-its-qr-payment-network-into-laos-making-shopping-by-mobile-easier-102270004.html", "source_tier": "3", "retrieved_at": null } ] }, { "code": "W5", "name": "Payment Corridor Dynamics", "confidence": "High", "moved_this_cycle": false, "url": "https://payments.gi/jurisdictions/laos/#w5-payment-corridor-dynamics", "standing_position": "Laos has built an active cross-border QR corridor strategy with all four land neighbours/key trading partners: a phased Laos-Thailand PromptPay/LaoQR linkage (from 2023-24), a Laos-Cambodia kip-riel QR corridor (Aug 2023), a Laos-Vietnam QR linkage (Jan 2025), and a Laos-China UnionPay QR interoperability project (Dec 2024). Migrant-worker remittances from Thailand remain a major informal-vs-formal corridor issue, with high reliance on cash/informal channels due to KYC and documentation barriers.", "findings": [ { "finding": null, "instrument_type": "Cross-border QR corridor", "source": "https://greatermekong.org/g/laos-viet-nam-launch-cross-border-qr-code-payment-system", "source_url": "https://greatermekong.org/g/laos-viet-nam-launch-cross-border-qr-code-payment-system", "source_tier": "3", "retrieved_at": null }, { "finding": null, "instrument_type": "Cross-border QR corridor (Laos-Vietnam)", "source": "https://greatermekong.org/g/laos-viet-nam-launch-cross-border-qr-code-payment-system", "source_url": "https://www.unescap.org/sites/default/d8files/event-documents/Remittances_in_NCA_ENG_20241126.pdf", "source_tier": "3", "retrieved_at": null }, { "finding": null, "instrument_type": "Cross-border QR corridor (Laos-China)", "source": "https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2024/12/25/3001834/0/en/Lao-QR-Merchants-Now-Accept-Payments-by-UnionPay-Powered-Wallets-UnionPay-International-and-LAPNet-Launch-Payment-Linkage.html", "source_url": "https://www.unescap.org/sites/default/d8files/event-documents/Remittances_in_NCA_ENG_20241126.pdf", "source_tier": "3", "retrieved_at": null }, { "finding": null, "instrument_type": "Remittance corridor data (ILO/World Bank)", "source": "https://www.ilo.org/wcmsp5/groups/public/---asia/---ro-bangkok/documents/genericdocument/wcms_735106.pdf", "source_url": "https://www.unescap.org/sites/default/d8files/event-documents/Remittances_in_NCA_ENG_20241126.pdf", "source_tier": "2", "retrieved_at": null }, { "finding": null, "instrument_type": "World Bank labour-mobility/remittance report", "source": "https://documents1.worldbank.org/curated/en/099080125060021383/pdf/P502556-496a94ef-af78-4a98-a3ef-608bb3af29c7.pdf", "source_url": "https://www.unescap.org/sites/default/d8files/event-documents/Remittances_in_NCA_ENG_20241126.pdf", "source_tier": "1", "retrieved_at": null }, { "finding": null, "instrument_type": "Remittance channel/KYC constraint", "source": "https://www.unescap.org/sites/default/d8files/event-documents/Remittances_in_NCA_ENG_20241126.pdf", "source_url": "https://www.unescap.org/sites/default/d8files/event-documents/Remittances_in_NCA_ENG_20241126.pdf", "source_tier": "2", "retrieved_at": null } ] }, { "code": "W6", "name": "Industry Structure & Commercial Dynamics", "confidence": "High", "moved_this_cycle": false, "url": "https://payments.gi/jurisdictions/laos/#w6-industry-structure-commercial-dynamics", "standing_position": "The Lao banking sector comprises around 40-42 licensed banks (domestic, foreign-owned, and foreign branches from Australia, Vietnam, Thailand, Cambodia, Malaysia, China and France), with BCEL as the dominant, most digitally advanced player. The fintech ecosystem remains small (~19-25 active firms per Tracxn/Fintech Times estimates) and bank-led, with only around 1.5 million bank accounts against an addressable market of 4.5 million, and roughly 45% of adults having formal financial access as of 2025.", "findings": [ { "finding": null, "instrument_type": "Market structure data", "source": "https://www.trade.gov/country-commercial-guides/laos-trade-financing", "source_url": "https://thefintechtimes.com/fintech-landscape-of-laos-in-2024/", "source_tier": "1", "retrieved_at": null }, { "finding": null, "instrument_type": "Market structure data (banking/fintech)", "source": "https://thefintechtimes.com/fintech-landscape-of-laos-in-2024/", "source_url": "https://tracxn.com/d/explore/fintech-startups-in-laos/__uScU_90WRJIs4BcFtc58CmbnlsWHZMbTKy3uAoDP4yw", "source_tier": "3", "retrieved_at": null }, { "finding": null, "instrument_type": "Market structure data (fintech count)", "source": "https://tracxn.com/d/explore/fintech-startups-in-laos/__uScU_90WRJIs4BcFtc58CmbnlsWHZMbTKy3uAoDP4yw", "source_url": "https://tracxn.com/d/explore/fintech-startups-in-laos/__uScU_90WRJIs4BcFtc58CmbnlsWHZMbTKy3uAoDP4yw", "source_tier": "3", "retrieved_at": null }, { "finding": null, "instrument_type": "Market structure data (2026 update)", "source": "https://thefintechtimes.com/the-fintech-ecosystem-of-laos-in-2026/", "source_url": "https://tracxn.com/d/explore/fintech-startups-in-laos/__uScU_90WRJIs4BcFtc58CmbnlsWHZMbTKy3uAoDP4yw", "source_tier": "3", "retrieved_at": null }, { "finding": null, "instrument_type": "Foreign bank presence", "source": "https://www.trade.gov/country-commercial-guides/laos-trade-financing", "source_url": "https://tracxn.com/d/explore/fintech-startups-in-laos/__uScU_90WRJIs4BcFtc58CmbnlsWHZMbTKy3uAoDP4yw", "source_tier": "1", "retrieved_at": null }, { "finding": null, "instrument_type": "Bank-fintech partnership", "source": "https://fintechnews.sg/68354/laos/laos-fintech-revolution-is-still-bank-led-for-now/", "source_url": "https://tracxn.com/d/explore/fintech-startups-in-laos/__uScU_90WRJIs4BcFtc58CmbnlsWHZMbTKy3uAoDP4yw", "source_tier": "3", "retrieved_at": null } ] }, { "code": "W7", "name": "Legal & Litigation", "confidence": "High", "moved_this_cycle": true, "url": "https://payments.gi/jurisdictions/laos/#w7-legal-litigation", "standing_position": "Laos maintains a dual-currency environment with LAK as mandated primary settlement currency; Decision 11/BOL restricts secondary FX use; FX deposit-account decision preserves domestic transfer rights; mandatory FX repatriation (30% to BOL) in force since May 2024.", "findings": [ { "finding": null, "instrument_type": "FATF Mutual Evaluation follow-up", "source": "https://www.fatf-gafi.org/en/publications/High-risk-and-other-monitored-jurisdictions/increased-monitoring-october-2025.html", "source_url": "https://www.fatf-gafi.org/en/publications/High-risk-and-other-monitored-jurisdictions/increased-monitoring-october-2025.html", "source_tier": "1", "retrieved_at": null }, { "finding": null, "instrument_type": "Administrative enforcement (crypto mining fees)", "source": "https://laotiantimes.com/2023/11/15/laos-plans-crackdown-on-non-compliant-crypto-firms/", "source_url": "https://www.vdb-loi.com/laos_publication/update-to-the-bols-rules-on-offshore-bank-accounts", "source_tier": "3", "retrieved_at": null }, { "finding": null, "instrument_type": "Administrative penalty (Decision 251/BOL)", "source": "https://www.vdb-loi.com/laos_publication/update-to-the-bols-rules-on-offshore-bank-accounts", "source_url": "https://www.vdb-loi.com/laos_publication/update-to-the-bols-rules-on-offshore-bank-accounts", "source_tier": "2", "retrieved_at": null }, { "finding": null, "instrument_type": "Administrative penalty (foreign exchange law)", "source": "https://www.lexology.com/library/detail.aspx?g=5f1ff0e8-43fb-43de-b322-c5c47df2f79a", "source_url": "https://www.vdb-loi.com/laos_publication/update-to-the-bols-rules-on-offshore-bank-accounts", "source_tier": "3", "retrieved_at": null }, { "finding": null, "instrument_type": "FATF MER 2023 (Recommendation 13 - correspondent banking)", "source": "https://www.fatf-gafi.org/content/dam/fatf-gafi/fsrb-mer/Lao-APG-MER.pdf.coredownload.inline.pdf", "source_url": "https://www.vdb-loi.com/laos_publication/update-to-the-bols-rules-on-offshore-bank-accounts", "source_tier": "1", "retrieved_at": null } ] }, { "code": "W8", "name": "Merchant Acquiring & Risk", "confidence": "Assessed", "moved_this_cycle": false, "url": "https://payments.gi/jurisdictions/laos/#w8-merchant-acquiring-risk", "standing_position": "Merchant acquiring in Laos is bank-led and closed to direct foreign merchant licensing: merchants must process payments through BOL-licensed PSPs or banks, direct acquiring licences for merchants are unavailable, and foreign merchants generally require local entity registration or a local partner. Certain sectors (gambling, adult content, cryptocurrency trading) face strict scrutiny or prohibition in the acquiring channel.", "findings": [ { "finding": null, "instrument_type": "Acquiring regime description", "source": "https://payatlas.com/countries/lao-peoples-democratic-republic-la", "source_url": "https://payatlas.com/countries/lao-peoples-democratic-republic-la", "source_tier": "3", "retrieved_at": null }, { "finding": null, "instrument_type": "Foreign-merchant onboarding constraint", "source": "https://payatlas.com/countries/lao-peoples-democratic-republic-la", "source_url": "https://payatlas.com/countries/lao-peoples-democratic-republic-la", "source_tier": "3", "retrieved_at": null }, { "finding": null, "instrument_type": "Acquiring licence (bank-held gateway)", "source": "https://www.bcel.com.la/bcel/product-review.html?prd=e-banking&id=online-payment&lang=en", "source_url": "https://payatlas.com/countries/lao-peoples-democratic-republic-la", "source_tier": "3", "retrieved_at": null }, { "finding": null, "instrument_type": "Market observation (acquiring channel structure)", "source": "https://payatlas.com/countries/lao-peoples-democratic-republic-la", "source_url": "https://payatlas.com/countries/lao-peoples-democratic-republic-la", "source_tier": "3", "retrieved_at": null } ] }, { "code": "W9", "name": "Product Innovation & Market Development", "confidence": "High", "moved_this_cycle": true, "url": "https://payments.gi/jurisdictions/laos/#w9-product-innovation-market-development", "standing_position": "Laos' payments innovation agenda centres on the LaPASS RTGS system (launched June 2020) and LaoQR code standard, a CBDC feasibility study conducted with Japanese fintech firm Soramitsu, an active cross-border QR interoperability programme (Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, China), and a nascent fintech regulatory sandbox tied to the Lao Digital Park/Fintech Valley initiative with Malaysia. Mobile money (M-Money, launched 2020) and bank-led wallets (BCEL OnePay, U-Money) anchor financial-inclusion product development.", "findings": [ { "finding": null, "instrument_type": "RTGS / national payment infrastructure", "source": "https://fintechnews.sg/68354/laos/laos-fintech-revolution-is-still-bank-led-for-now/", "source_url": "https://fintechnews.sg/68354/laos/laos-fintech-revolution-is-still-bank-led-for-now/", "source_tier": "3", "retrieved_at": null }, { "finding": null, "instrument_type": "CBDC feasibility study", "source": "https://fintechnews.sg/68354/laos/laos-fintech-revolution-is-still-bank-led-for-now/", "source_url": "https://thefintechtimes.com/fintech-landscape-of-laos-in-2024/", "source_tier": "3", "retrieved_at": null }, { "finding": null, "instrument_type": "Regulatory sandbox / SEZ initiative", "source": "https://fintechnews.sg/68354/laos/laos-fintech-revolution-is-still-bank-led-for-now/", "source_url": "https://thefintechtimes.com/fintech-landscape-of-laos-in-2024/", "source_tier": "3", "retrieved_at": null }, { "finding": null, "instrument_type": "Mobile money product (M-Money)", "source": "https://thefintechtimes.com/fintech-landscape-of-laos-in-2024/", "source_url": "https://thefintechtimes.com/fintech-landscape-of-laos-in-2024/", "source_tier": "3", "retrieved_at": null }, { "finding": null, "instrument_type": "Open banking / regulatory sandbox (2026 update)", "source": "https://thefintechtimes.com/the-fintech-ecosystem-of-laos-in-2026/", "source_url": "https://thefintechtimes.com/fintech-landscape-of-laos-in-2024/", "source_tier": "3", "retrieved_at": null }, { "finding": null, "instrument_type": "Cross-border product launch", "source": "https://www.tourismlaos.org/2025/01/17/laos-china-launch-qr-payment-system-for-cashless-tourism/", "source_url": "https://thefintechtimes.com/fintech-landscape-of-laos-in-2024/", "source_tier": "3", "retrieved_at": null } ] }, { "code": "W10", "name": "Consumer Protection & APP Fraud", "confidence": "High", "moved_this_cycle": false, "url": "https://payments.gi/jurisdictions/laos/#w10-consumer-protection-app-fraud", "standing_position": "Consumer protection rests on the Law on Consumer Protection No. 02/NA (2010) and the financial-sector-specific Decree No. 225/GOV (2020), which requires complaint recording, 15-day update cycles, and escalation to BOL and then to the Economic Dispute Resolution Center or the Lao People's Courts if unresolved. There is no dedicated APP-fraud mandatory-reimbursement regime akin to the UK's PSR model; redress instead flows through the general financial consumer-complaint and dispute-resolution pathway.", "findings": [ { "finding": null, "instrument_type": "Law (Consumer Protection Law No. 02/NA, 2010)", "source": "https://aseanconsumer.org/selectcountry=LaoPDR", "source_url": "https://www.tilleke.com/insights/decree-on-consumer-protection-in-the-financial-sector-in-laos/", "source_tier": "2", "retrieved_at": null }, { "finding": null, "instrument_type": "Decree (225/GOV, financial consumer protection)", "source": "https://www.tilleke.com/insights/decree-on-consumer-protection-in-the-financial-sector-in-laos/", "source_url": "https://www.tilleke.com/insights/decree-on-consumer-protection-in-the-financial-sector-in-laos/", "source_tier": "3", "retrieved_at": null }, { "finding": null, "instrument_type": "Decree (Financial Consumer Protection, updated Jan 2026)", "source": "https://www.bol.gov.la/en/fileupload/05-01-2026_1767584786.pdf", "source_url": "https://www.tilleke.com/insights/decree-on-consumer-protection-in-the-financial-sector-in-laos/", "source_tier": "1", "retrieved_at": null }, { "finding": null, "instrument_type": "Consumer protection association recommendations (2020)", "source": "https://www.lexology.com/library/detail.aspx?g=d3b25f1d-2d32-474e-bfc4-6b7c867aef10", "source_url": "https://www.tilleke.com/insights/decree-on-consumer-protection-in-the-financial-sector-in-laos/", "source_tier": "3", "retrieved_at": null }, { "finding": null, "instrument_type": "Disclosure requirement (card services)", "source": "https://www.mondaq.com/financial-services/1044280/decree-on-consumer-protection-in-the-financial-sector-in-laos", "source_url": "https://www.tilleke.com/insights/decree-on-consumer-protection-in-the-financial-sector-in-laos/", "source_tier": "3", "retrieved_at": null } ] }, { "code": "W11", "name": "AML/CFT & Financial Crime", "confidence": "High", "moved_this_cycle": false, "url": "https://payments.gi/jurisdictions/laos/#w11-aml-cft-financial-crime", "standing_position": "sentinel.laos_position: Laos was placed on the FATF grey list (Jurisdictions under Increased Monitoring) on 21 February 2025 following its 2023 Mutual Evaluation, with continued monitoring through October 2025 and February 2026 plenaries. Key outstanding action-plan items concern risk-based supervision of casinos/banks/SEZ reporting entities, financial-intelligence flow, and ML investigation/prosecution volume, with AMLIO as the domestic FIU.", "findings": [ { "finding": "Laos has a 2014 AML/CFT law (amended) administered by the Bank of the Lao PDR's Anti-Money Laundering Intelligence Unit. FATF/APG's 2023 Mutual Evaluation found weak risk understanding, minimal SEZ/casino supervision, and low ML prosecutions. Laos entered FATF increased monitoring (grey list) in February 2025 and was added to the EU and UK high-risk third-country lists in mid-2025, reflecting persistent structural deficiencies concentrated in Special Economic Zones.", "instrument_type": "assessment", "source": "FIM (sentinel.gi) per-JID baseline profile — Lao People's Democratic Republic (Laos)", "source_url": null, "source_tier": null, "retrieved_at": null }, { "finding": "Gap: sourcing-thinness", "instrument_type": "gap", "source": "FIM (sentinel.gi) gaps_register_cumulative (issue FIM-BASE-GAP-004)", "source_url": null, "source_tier": null, "retrieved_at": null }, { "finding": "Gap: regulatory-failure", "instrument_type": "gap", "source": "FIM (sentinel.gi) gaps_register_cumulative (issue FIM-BASE-GAP-002)", "source_url": null, "source_tier": null, "retrieved_at": null }, { "finding": "Gap: capacity-deficit", "instrument_type": "gap", "source": "FIM (sentinel.gi) gaps_register_cumulative (issue FIM-BASE-GAP-003)", "source_url": null, "source_tier": null, "retrieved_at": null }, { "finding": "Sanctions: OFAC listing", "instrument_type": "sanctions_change", "source": "FIM (sentinel.gi) sanctions_change_register (issue FIM-BASE-SANC-001)", "source_url": null, "source_tier": "2", "retrieved_at": null }, { "finding": "Enforcement: OFAC — DPRK IT-worker facilitation network including Yun Song Guk (Boten, Laos)", "instrument_type": "enforcement_action", "source": "FIM (sentinel.gi) enforcement_action_register (issue FIM-BASE-ENF-003)", "source_url": null, "source_tier": "2", "retrieved_at": null }, { "finding": "Gap: political-constraint", "instrument_type": "gap", "source": "FIM (sentinel.gi) gaps_register_cumulative (issue FIM-BASE-GAP-001)", "source_url": null, "source_tier": null, "retrieved_at": null } ] }, { "code": "W12", "name": "Correspondent Banking, Settlement & Access", "confidence": "High", "moved_this_cycle": true, "url": "https://payments.gi/jurisdictions/laos/#w12-correspondent-banking-settlement-access", "standing_position": "BOL's cross-border cash-movement regime overhauled by Decision No. 140/BOL (18 Feb 2026), raising the undeclared cash-carry threshold to US$10,000 and revising approval procedures, timelines, and penalties.", "findings": [ { "finding": null, "instrument_type": "Centralized FX market (LFX)", "source": "https://www.trade.gov/country-commercial-guides/laos-trade-financing", "source_url": "https://www.trade.gov/country-commercial-guides/laos-trade-financing", "source_tier": "1", "retrieved_at": null }, { "finding": null, "instrument_type": "Law on Foreign Exchange Management / offshore reporting", "source": "https://www.lexology.com/library/detail.aspx?g=5f1ff0e8-43fb-43de-b322-c5c47df2f79a", "source_url": "https://www.trade.gov/country-commercial-guides/laos-trade-financing", "source_tier": "3", "retrieved_at": null }, { "finding": null, "instrument_type": "Decision (251/BOL, March 2026, offshore accounts)", "source": "https://www.vdb-loi.com/laos_publication/update-to-the-bols-rules-on-offshore-bank-accounts", "source_url": "https://www.trade.gov/country-commercial-guides/laos-trade-financing", "source_tier": "2", "retrieved_at": null }, { "finding": null, "instrument_type": "Decision (140/BOL, cash inflows/outflows)", "source": "https://www.vdb-loi.com/laos_publication/the-bol-updates-its-regulations-on-carrying-cash-into-and-out-of-the-lao-pdr/", "source_url": "https://www.trade.gov/country-commercial-guides/laos-trade-financing", "source_tier": "2", "retrieved_at": null }, { "finding": null, "instrument_type": "IMF supervisory technical assistance (foreign bank branches)", "source": "https://www.imf.org/~/media/Files/Publications/CR/2020/English/1LAOEA2020001.ashx", "source_url": "https://www.trade.gov/country-commercial-guides/laos-trade-financing", "source_tier": "1", "retrieved_at": null }, { "finding": null, "instrument_type": "Foreign reserve/liquidity constraint", "source": "https://www.privacyshield.gov/ps/article?id=Laos-Foreign-Exchange-Controls", "source_url": "https://www.trade.gov/country-commercial-guides/laos-trade-financing", "source_tier": "3", "retrieved_at": null } ] }, { "code": "W13", "name": "Commercial Intelligence & Fintech", "confidence": "Possible", "moved_this_cycle": true, "url": "https://payments.gi/jurisdictions/laos/#w13-commercial-intelligence-fintech", "standing_position": "Disclosed M&A/investment activity specific to Laos' payments sector in the trailing 12 months (July 2025-July 2026) is thin: Tracxn/Fintech Times data show only 2 of ~19 Lao fintech startups ever funded (one Series A+), with no large disclosed deal announced within the window. The most concrete dated market-structure event in-window is BOL's halt on registering new branches/service units of non-bank financial institutions.", "findings": [ { "finding": null, "instrument_type": "Market-access/structural event", "source": "https://www.vdb-loi.com/laos_publication/the-bol-updates-its-regulations-on-carrying-cash-into-and-out-of-the-lao-pdr/", "source_url": "https://www.vdb-loi.com/laos_publication/the-bol-updates-its-regulations-on-carrying-cash-into-and-out-of-the-lao-pdr/", "source_tier": "2", "retrieved_at": null }, { "finding": null, "instrument_type": "Investment landscape (aggregate, not a single dated deal)", "source": "https://tracxn.com/d/explore/fintech-startups-in-laos/__uScU_90WRJIs4BcFtc58CmbnlsWHZMbTKy3uAoDP4yw", "source_url": "https://www.vdb-loi.com/laos_publication/the-bol-updates-its-regulations-on-carrying-cash-into-and-out-of-the-lao-pdr/", "source_tier": "3", "retrieved_at": null } ] } ] }