Indonesia Payment Cost Estimator
Cost Analysis Tool
Calculate how much more expensive international payments are in Indonesia compared to countries that allow crypto payments. Based on a 2025 report showing Indonesian businesses pay 37% more and wait 3.2 extra days for international transactions.
Indonesia lets you buy, sell, and trade cryptocurrency - but you can’t use it to pay for coffee, groceries, or an online order. That’s the strange reality of crypto in Indonesia in 2025. While millions of Indonesians trade Bitcoin and Ethereum through licensed exchanges, using crypto as payment is strictly illegal. This isn’t a loophole or a gray area. It’s a hard rule, backed by two powerful institutions: Bank Indonesia and the Financial Services Authority (OJK).
Why Was the Crypto Payment Ban Put in Place?
The ban started in 2016 with Bank Indonesia Regulation No. 18/40/PBI/2016. It was reinforced in 2017 with Regulation No. 19/12/PBI/2017. Both rules say the same thing: virtual currencies like Bitcoin, Ethereum, and USDT are not legal tender. Only the rupiah holds that status under Indonesia’s Currency Law. Bank Indonesia’s reasoning is simple: crypto doesn’t have a central authority. It can’t be controlled, monitored, or stabilized like a national currency. If people started paying for everything with Bitcoin, it could destabilize the financial system. Imagine a sudden drop in Bitcoin’s value causing mass defaults on everyday purchases. Or worse - criminals using untraceable crypto to move money without oversight. In a public statement on November 13, 2025, Agusman, Executive Director of Bank Indonesia’s Communication Department, made it crystal clear: "Virtual currency including Bitcoin is not recognized as a valid payment instrument. It is prohibited to be used as a means of payment in Indonesia."Trading Is Fine - But Only Under OJK Rules
Here’s where it gets confusing: you can legally trade crypto in Indonesia - but only if you use an OJK-licensed platform. On January 10, 2025, oversight shifted from Bappebti (the commodities regulator) to OJK, the financial watchdog. This wasn’t just a paperwork change. It was a full reclassification. Crypto assets are now called "digital financial assets," not commodities. That means they’re treated more like stocks or bonds than gold or soybeans. OJK Regulation No. 27 of 2024 set strict new rules:- Exchanges need at least IDR 50 billion (about $3.2 million) in capital
- Custodians must have IDR 25 billion ($1.6 million)
- Token issuers need IDR 10 billion ($640,000)
How Do People Still Pay With Crypto? (And Why It’s Risky)
Despite the ban, people find ways. A survey by Indodax in August 2025 found that 63% of users have made crypto-based payments anyway - usually through peer-to-peer (P2P) deals or by converting crypto to gift cards. On Kaskus, Indonesia’s biggest forum, a popular thread (#cryptoID458921) shows how 82% of sellers avoid the ban by turning crypto into prepaid credits. Someone pays in Bitcoin? The seller gives them a Tokopedia gift card instead. It’s not legal, but it’s common. Reddit users complain about lost business. One merchant, u/JakartaToko, said they lost a $12,000 international order because the buyer’s company required USDT payments. "BI’s payment ban cost me three months of revenue," they posted in October 2025. The problem? These workarounds offer zero consumer protection. If a gift card seller disappears, or a P2P trade goes bad, there’s no recourse. No regulator, no refund, no legal backup. That’s why OJK and Bank Indonesia keep warning the public: "Don’t use crypto to pay. It’s risky."
How Indonesia Compares to Neighboring Countries
Indonesia isn’t alone - but it’s one of the strictest. - Thailand allows crypto payments for licensed merchants under specific conditions. Some stores accept Bitcoin for coffee. - Singapore permits crypto payments through licensed payment providers. You can use crypto to pay for Uber rides or buy groceries at select supermarkets. - Malaysia bans crypto payments but is testing pilot programs to relax rules. - Vietnam also bans payments, but lacks a strong regulator like OJK. Enforcement is patchy. Indonesia’s approach is more like the EU’s MiCA framework - strict on payments, but serious about regulating trading. That’s why experts say Indonesia’s system is more advanced than its neighbors, even if it’s less flexible.The Hidden Cost: Slower Business and Higher Fees
The ban isn’t just annoying - it’s expensive. A July 2025 report by Alvarez & Marsal found that Indonesian businesses pay 37% more and wait 3.2 extra days to complete international payments because they can’t use crypto for settlements. They’re stuck with slow, costly bank wires and intermediaries. That hurts small exporters and freelancers. A designer in Bandung who gets paid in USDT from a client in the U.S. has to cash out through an exchange, wait for rupiah to arrive, then transfer via bank - a process that can take 48 hours. In Thailand or Singapore, they could settle instantly. World Bank data shows Indonesia’s digital payment system runs at just 63% efficiency - compared to 82% in Thailand and 91% in Singapore. The reason? No blockchain-based settlement options.
What Changed in 2025? Taxation Got Simpler
While payments stayed banned, taxes got easier. On August 1, 2025, the Ministry of Finance rolled out PMK 50, which replaced the 1% VAT on crypto trades with a flat 0.21% final income tax. That’s a big drop. Before, every trade - even small ones - triggered a 1% tax. Now, only profits are taxed at a low rate. Plus, the government created a dedicated Crypto Asset Taxation Unit with 147 auditors who monitor trades automatically through OJK’s system. This change made trading more attractive - and more transparent. Companies are now reporting crypto holdings in their financial statements. Of Indonesia’s top 100 public companies, 87% listed crypto assets in Q2 2025, up from 52% in late 2024.Who’s Winning? Who’s Losing?
The market is growing fast. Indonesia had 14.3 million active crypto users by the end of 2024 - fifth largest in the world by user count. Trading volume hit IDR 127.5 trillion ($8.1 billion) last year. The top three exchanges dominate: Indodax (58%), Tokocrypto (27%), and Pintu (15%). International players like Binance barely register - they can’t get licensed under Indonesia’s strict rules. But there’s a brain drain. According to the Indonesian Blockchain Association, 27 crypto professionals moved to Singapore or Dubai in the first half of 2025. "If our fiscal approach remains rigid and unattractive, we’re going to see brain drain and capital outflow," warned Robby, chairman of ABI, in August 2025. Meanwhile, compliance officers with crypto expertise now earn 37% more than traditional finance auditors. Companies are scrambling to hire people who understand OJK’s system - but there aren’t enough trained professionals yet.What’s Next? The Digital Rupiah Could Change Everything
There’s a glimmer of change on the horizon. Indonesia’s House of Representatives is reviewing Draft Law No. 12/2025 on Digital Rupiah Integration. This could allow crypto to interact with the central bank’s own digital currency - the digital rupiah. Think of it like a bridge: your USDT doesn’t pay for coffee directly. But it gets converted into digital rupiah, which does. That would keep the payment ban intact while letting crypto play a role in the financial system. Bank Indonesia’s governor, Perry Warjiyo, said in October 2025 that any change would need "comprehensive assessment of monetary policy transmission mechanisms." Translation: no quick fixes. For now, the split remains: trade freely, pay illegally. And that’s the reality for Indonesian crypto users in 2025.Is it illegal to use Bitcoin to pay for goods in Indonesia?
Yes. Using Bitcoin, Ethereum, or any other cryptocurrency as payment for goods or services is prohibited under Bank Indonesia regulations. Only the rupiah is legal tender. Violating this rule can lead to penalties for businesses operating payment systems, and users risk losing consumer protections.
Can I trade crypto legally in Indonesia?
Yes, but only through platforms licensed by the Financial Services Authority (OJK). These exchanges must meet strict capital, security, and reporting standards. As of 2025, only a few platforms like Indodax, Tokocrypto, and Pintu are fully licensed. Trading on unlicensed platforms is risky and not protected by law.
Why did Indonesia move crypto oversight from Bappebti to OJK?
The shift in January 2025 reclassified crypto as a "digital financial asset," not a commodity. This brought crypto under the same regulatory umbrella as stocks and bonds, allowing for stronger investor protections, better AML controls, and alignment with global financial standards like the EU’s MiCA. OJK has more authority and experience overseeing financial markets than Bappebti, which focused on commodities trading.
What’s the tax rate on crypto trades in Indonesia now?
As of August 1, 2025, the tax on crypto trades is 0.21% of the transaction value, paid as a final income tax. This replaced the previous 1% VAT. The change was made under Minister of Finance Regulation No. 50 of 2025, which also eliminated the previous classification of crypto as a taxable good. The tax is automatically withheld by licensed exchanges.
Are there any plans to lift the crypto payment ban?
Not yet. Bank Indonesia has no plans to allow direct crypto payments. However, lawmakers are exploring a digital rupiah system that could act as a bridge - allowing crypto to be converted into central bank digital currency before use. This would keep the payment ban in place while enabling indirect crypto integration into payments. Any change would require extensive testing and policy review.
How many people in Indonesia use crypto?
As of December 2024, Indonesia had 14.3 million active crypto users - about 5.2% of the population. It’s the third-largest crypto market in Southeast Asia by user count, behind Vietnam and Thailand. Trading volume reached IDR 127.5 trillion ($8.1 billion) in 2024.
Mike Calwell
November 16, 2025 AT 00:01bro why even care lol crypto payments are dumb anyway
Aryan Juned
November 17, 2025 AT 10:50Indonesia’s crypto ban is peak bureaucratic absurdity 😂 Like, you can trade Bitcoin like it’s NFT art but can’t buy a boba tea with it? Bro, I’ve seen more logic in my cat’s nap schedule. At least Thailand lets you pay for coffee with ETH - here you need a PhD in Rupiah bureaucracy just to buy a sandwich. #CryptoButNotForCoffee 🤦♂️
Aayansh Singh
November 18, 2025 AT 17:29Of course Indonesia bans crypto payments - they’re scared of financial sovereignty. This isn’t regulation, it’s control. They want to keep the rupiah alive like a dying cult. Meanwhile, Singapore’s using blockchain for cross-border trade while Indonesia’s still arguing over gift cards. Pathetic.
Barbara Kiss
November 20, 2025 AT 16:48There’s a quiet poetry here - crypto as a forbidden fruit. You can hold it, trade it, even worship it… but never use it. It’s like being allowed to touch a sacred statue but never pray to it. The state says: ‘We recognize your belief, but we won’t let it touch the real world.’ It’s not about stability - it’s about control disguised as caution. And honestly? That’s more terrifying than any market crash.
Jay Davies
November 20, 2025 AT 19:22Actually, the regulatory shift from Bappebti to OJK is a significant upgrade. Bappebti was a commodities regulator with zero financial market expertise. OJK, on the other hand, oversees capital markets, insurance, and pensions - so bringing crypto under their purview aligns it with global financial norms. The FATF compliance and ISO 27001 requirements are actually world-class. This isn’t restrictive - it’s professional.
Carol Rice
November 21, 2025 AT 18:34OH MY GOD. I just read this and I’m crying. Not because I’m sad - because this is the most beautifully structured crypto policy I’ve ever seen! The tax cut? Genius. The OJK oversight? Masterclass. The digital rupiah bridge? 🤯 That’s not a compromise - that’s evolution. Indonesia didn’t ban crypto - they tamed it. And now it’s dancing on the edge of a revolution. Someone please give this country a Nobel Prize.
Student Teacher
November 23, 2025 AT 09:08Wait - so if I buy crypto in Indonesia, I’m not allowed to use it to pay for anything… but I can trade it like crazy? That’s like being told you can own a car, but you can’t drive it. How is that even fair? And why does the government care more about controlling payments than protecting traders?
Astor Digital
November 24, 2025 AT 10:00As someone who’s lived in both Jakarta and Austin - this makes sense. Indonesia’s got 270 million people. If you let crypto payments fly, you’d have a million P2P scams by next week. The gift card workaround? Classic. But yeah, it’s a mess. Still, the fact they’re building a digital rupiah bridge? That’s smarter than most Western countries. They’re not resisting change - they’re designing it.
Derayne Stegall
November 26, 2025 AT 09:32INDONESIA IS DOING IT RIGHT!!! 💪🔥 Crypto trading? YES. Payments? NOPE. Tax? LOW. Regulation? STRONG. Digital rupiah? COMING. This is the blueprint. Stop comparing to Singapore - they’re just playing house. Indonesia’s building a crypto future without the chaos. Respect. 🙌
Ryan Hansen
November 28, 2025 AT 05:07Look, I get the fear - unregulated crypto payments could trigger bank runs, liquidity crises, or even currency substitution if people start dumping rupiah for USDT. But here’s the thing: the ban isn’t stopping usage, it’s just driving it underground. The 63% P2P usage rate proves that. And now you’ve got a whole black market of gift card arbitrage, zero consumer protection, and no way to tax it. So you’re losing control of the system you’re trying to protect. That’s not policy - that’s self-sabotage. And the digital rupiah? It’s the only real path forward. Anything else is just delay.
Carol Wyss
November 29, 2025 AT 02:53Just wanted to say - to all the people using crypto to pay for stuff anyway… you’re not alone. I’ve done it. It’s sketchy, but sometimes you just need to pay your landlord and your wallet’s full of BTC. I hope the digital rupiah comes soon. Until then, stay safe, use trusted P2P, and never share your private keys. You got this. 💛
Rebecca Amy
November 29, 2025 AT 23:06Wow. So Indonesia lets you trade crypto but not use it? And they charge 0.21% tax? That’s literally the definition of ‘regulation theater.’ They’re just collecting money while pretending they’re protecting the economy. Meanwhile, real innovation is happening in Thailand and Singapore. This isn’t leadership - it’s laziness with a fancy acronym.
Kathleen Bauer
November 30, 2025 AT 17:12Y’all act like this is some wild outlier… but honestly? This is how most countries will end up. Crypto as asset, not currency. The U.S. does it too - you can trade Bitcoin but can’t pay your rent with it. Indonesia just made it official. And the digital rupiah? That’s the future. Everyone’s gonna do this. Chill. It’s not a ban - it’s a transition.
Henry Lu
December 1, 2025 AT 04:13lol why do you think they banned payments? because they dont want you to use crypto. they want you to use their app. the digital rupiah is just a way to track every single thing you buy. its not innovation. its surveillance with a blockchain sticker.
Teresa Duffy
December 2, 2025 AT 04:50Can we talk about how wild it is that Indonesia’s crypto market is the 5th largest in the world… but you can’t use it to buy coffee? That’s like having a Ferrari but only being allowed to park it in your garage. The irony is delicious. And the fact that they’re building a digital rupiah bridge? That’s genius. They’re not rejecting crypto - they’re integrating it on their own terms. Respect.
nikhil .m445
December 2, 2025 AT 18:44Indonesia is not a country that understands technology. They are just copying EU rules and calling it progress. The real problem is that they don’t have the infrastructure to handle crypto payments - so they ban it. This is not regulation - it is incompetence disguised as caution. And the tax cut? Just a distraction. The system is broken.
Rick Mendoza
December 3, 2025 AT 14:22So you can trade crypto but not pay with it? That's like saying you can own a gun but can't shoot it. The whole thing is ridiculous. And the digital rupiah? Sounds like a government tracker. They want to know what you buy. That's not progress. That's control.
Lori Holton
December 3, 2025 AT 15:58Let me guess - the digital rupiah is being developed by the same people who told us the pandemic was a hoax. This isn’t financial innovation. It’s a centralized surveillance system disguised as blockchain. Once they have your digital rupiah data, they’ll control your spending habits, your savings, your freedom. Wake up. This is the beginning of the financial police state.
Ninad Mulay
December 5, 2025 AT 06:53As an Indian who’s seen this play out here - Indonesia’s move is actually smart. We banned crypto payments too, but let trading fly. Why? Because people were using it to dodge taxes and launder money. The gift card loophole? We had that too. The real win here is the tax reform - 0.21% is a masterstroke. Makes trading feel like a game, not a burden. And the digital rupiah? That’s the real endgame. Not crypto payments. A state-backed digital currency that’s fast, safe, and controlled. Indonesia’s playing 4D chess while everyone else is stuck on checkers.
Grace Craig
December 5, 2025 AT 17:54It is, without question, a triumph of regulatory foresight. The decision to reclassify crypto as a digital financial asset - rather than a commodity - aligns Indonesia with the most sophisticated global frameworks, namely MiCA. The capital requirements, ISO compliance, and real-time monitoring via SIM IAKD constitute a regulatory architecture of remarkable rigor. To suggest this is ‘anti-innovation’ is to misunderstand the nature of financial sovereignty. This is not suppression - it is stewardship.
Bruce Murray
December 7, 2025 AT 09:12Just wanted to say… I think Indonesia’s doing the right thing. It’s not perfect, but they’re trying to build something sustainable. No one’s getting rich overnight, but at least people aren’t getting scammed either. And the digital rupiah? That could actually help millions who don’t have bank accounts. I’m rooting for them.
Nataly Soares da Mota
December 8, 2025 AT 12:09Here’s the meta-layer: Indonesia isn’t banning crypto - it’s redefining its ontological role. Crypto is no longer a currency; it’s a speculative asset class, like equities. The state is not rejecting decentralization - it’s containing it within a controlled financial ecosystem. The digital rupiah isn’t a compromise - it’s a metamorphosis. The rupiah becomes the interface, crypto becomes the substrate. This isn’t a policy failure - it’s a paradigm shift. And the fact that 87% of top firms now report crypto holdings? That’s not compliance - that’s institutional evolution.
Henry Lu
December 8, 2025 AT 22:21wait so if i use crypto to buy something and get caught… what happens? do they jail me? or just fine me? and who even checks? the government has 270 million people to monitor… they cant possibly track every p2p gift card trade. this ban is just for show. its not enforced. its theater. the real goal is to make you use their digital rupiah app so they can see every coffee you buy.