The Bali provincial government (Indonesia) will crack down on tourists using digital assets for payments in hotels, restaurants, shopping centres and other venues. Antara reports this.<\/p>\n
\n“Foreign tourists who behave inappropriately, engage in actions not approved by their visa permissions, use cryptocurrency as a payment instrument, and violate other provisions, will be strictly punished,” said Bali Governor Wayan Koster.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n
The measures being contemplated include deportation, administrative penalties, criminal prosecution, business closures, and other sanctions, he said.<\/p>\n
The governor reminded that the use of currencies other than the rupiah as a means of payment is regulated by the 2011 law.<\/p>\n
\n“People who conduct foreign currency operations without Bank Indonesia’s permission may face imprisonment ranging from one year to five years, as well as a fine from 50 million rupiahs ($3,300) to 22 billion rupiahs ($1.4 million),” emphasised Koster.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n
A representative of Bank Indonesia in the province, Trisno Nugroho, clarified that while cryptocurrencies are allowed as assets, they are prohibited as a payment instrument.<\/p>\n
In February, the authorities passed the Financial Sector Development and Strengthening Law, which classified digital currencies as securities<\/a>.<\/p>\n