New Zealand applies general law rather than a bespoke regime. Crypto businesses register on the Financial Service Providers Register and fall under the AML/CFT Act as reporting entities supervised by the Department of Internal Affairs; the Financial Markets Conduct Act's fair-dealing provisions cover misleading conduct in crypto offers, and tokens with security-like features trigger full FMC Act obligations. The Financial Markets Authority publishes guidance rather than running a licensing gateway, and a 2024–2025 parliamentary inquiry recommended a cautious, harms-based approach.
The sharpest recent intervention came in July 2025, when the government announced a ban on cryptocurrency ATMs as part of an anti-money-laundering reform package targeting cash-to-crypto conversion, alongside expanded financial sanctions powers. Tax treatment follows Inland Revenue guidance: crypto is property, and gains from acquisition for disposal are taxable income.
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Financial Markets Conduct Act application
Fair-dealing prohibitions apply to all crypto offers to New Zealanders; tokens that are debt, equity, or managed-investment interests carry full disclosure and licensing obligations.
AML/CFT coverage and the 2025 crypto-ATM ban
Virtual asset service providers are reporting entities under DIA supervision. The July 2025 reform package bans crypto ATMs and strengthens powers against cash-to-crypto laundering channels.