Illegal Crypto Trading Under Tight Surveillance
Beyond the pawnshop sector, authorities have also intensified supervision of digital financial asset trading, particularly cryptocurrency transactions.
Between January and May 2026, Satgas PASTI halted the operations of 228 illegal digital financial asset traders found operating without the licenses required under Indonesian regulations.
The task force emphasized that cryptocurrency trading in Indonesia may only be conducted by businesses officially licensed by the Financial Services Authority (OJK). In addition, all crypto assets offered to investors must be listed in the country’s approved Crypto Asset List (DAK) maintained by the national crypto exchange.
Authorities noted that illegal cryptocurrency investment schemes have become increasingly widespread across social media platforms, messaging groups, and online websites.
Many of these schemes promise guaranteed returns, large bonuses, or “risk-free passive income”—claims that often serve as bait to lure unsuspecting investors into fraudulent operations.
