Antigua and Barbuda: technology regulation at a glance

Framework: Digital Assets Business Act, 2020 (No. 16 of 2020) and Digital Assets Business Amendment Act, 2020 (No. 29 of 2020), supplemented by the Digital Assets Business Regulations, 2021 (S.I. No. 38 of 2021); administered by the Financial Services Regulatory Commission (FSRC)

Antigua and Barbuda enacted the Digital Assets Business Act 2020 (DABA), one of the earliest comprehensive crypto regulatory frameworks in the Caribbean, requiring FSRC licensing for all digital asset businesses including exchanges, custodians, wallet providers, and token issuers. The Financial Services Regulatory Commission (FSRC) is the sole licensing and supervisory authority for digital asset businesses, with capital, AML/KYC, and ongoing-disclosure requirements in force. The jurisdiction imposes no capital gains tax on crypto, operates a territorial income-tax system, and treats crypto as legal tender of exchange subject to licensing.

Framework: No enacted AI law; draft AI legislation in preparation by Ministry of Legal Affairs; existing baseline from Data Protection Act 2013 and Electronic Crimes Act

Antigua and Barbuda has no comprehensive AI law in force as of May 2026. Prime Minister Gaston Browne confirmed in 2025 that draft AI legislation had been prepared, and the 2025 Speech from the Throne named AI regulation a top legislative priority. The country completed a UNESCO AI Readiness Assessment (published June 2025) that recommended developing a national AI strategy and a dedicated governance unit.

Framework: Data Protection Act, 2013 (No. 10 of 2013), enforced by the Information Commissioner of Antigua and Barbuda

Antigua and Barbuda enacted a comprehensive data protection statute in 2013 that governs personal data processing by both public and private bodies. The Act establishes data subject rights, imposes security and accountability obligations on data controllers, and restricts cross-border data transfers. The Information Commissioner serves as the independent supervisory authority responsible for enforcement and complaint investigation.

Framework: Payment Systems and Services Act, No. 13 of 2025 (administered by the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank, ECCB), complemented by the Digital Assets Business Act 2020 (supervised by the Financial Services Regulatory Commission, FSRC) and the Money Services Business Act 2011

Antigua and Barbuda has an in-force, dedicated licensing regime for digital payments and fintech. The Payment Systems and Services Act No. 13 of 2025 (enacted alongside Grenada and Saint Lucia, replacing the 2008 Payment System Act) gives the ECCB clear powers to license and supervise payment service providers and electronic-money issuers, with a regulatory sandbox and interoperability mandates. Separately, virtual-asset/crypto businesses are licensed by the national FSRC under the Digital Assets Business Act 2020 (operational since 2021), so a clear, multi-layered licensing framework exists today.

Framework: Immigration Act (Antigua and Barbuda), administered by the Department of Immigration; Citizenship by Investment Act (2013, as amended), administered by the Citizenship by Investment Unit (cip.gov.ag)

Antigua and Barbuda's dedicated Nomad Digital Residence (NDR) Programme, launched October 2020, was officially discontinued on November 15, 2025 per a formal government notice published on ab.gov.ag. As of May 2026, no successor dedicated digital nomad visa has been announced; remote workers and long-stay relocators may instead pursue the Citizenship by Investment (CBI) programme or standard residency permits through the Department of Immigration.

Framework: Electronic Crimes Act 2013 (No. 14 of 2013), as amended by the Electronic Crimes (Amendment) Act 2018 (No. 25 of 2018); Data Protection Act 2013 (No. 10 of 2013); Libel and Slander Act

Antigua and Barbuda regulates online conduct primarily through its Electronic Crimes Act 2013 and its 2018 amendment, which criminalise harassment, fraud, identity theft, CSAM, and unauthorised computer access. There is no comprehensive platform-liability or online-safety regime equivalent to the EU DSA or UK Online Safety Act; internet access is open and the country is rated 'Free' by Freedom House. No dedicated age-verification framework or mandatory content-moderation obligations on platforms have been enacted.

Framework: Electronic Crimes Act 2013 (No. 14 of 2013) and Data Protection Act 2013 (No. 10 of 2013), with oversight by the Information Commissioner

Antigua and Barbuda's cybersecurity regime rests on sectoral legislation, principally the Electronic Crimes Act 2013 and the Data Protection Act 2013, rather than a unified comprehensive cybersecurity law. There is no officially approved national cybersecurity strategy and no fully operational national CIRT, though both have been subjects of international capacity-building efforts. The country ranked Tier 5 (score 17.89/100) in the ITU Global Cybersecurity Index 2024, reflecting significant gaps across legal, technical, and organisational pillars.

Framework: Companies Act 1995 (domestic companies) and International Business Corporations Act Cap. 222 (offshore IBCs), administered by the Antigua and Barbuda Intellectual Property and Commerce Office (ABIPCO); foreign direct investment facilitated by the Antigua and Barbuda Investment Authority (ABIA).

Antigua and Barbuda imposes no restrictions on foreign ownership, foreigners may hold 100% of any registered entity, and there is no statutory minimum capital requirement for standard companies. The primary vehicle for international investors is the International Business Corporation (IBC), which can be incorporated within 24 hours to 3-7 business days through a licensed registered agent filing with ABIPCO; domestic companies under the Companies Act 1995 are equally accessible for those targeting the local market.