Antigua & Barbuda is a member of the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank (ECCB), which oversees its eight members’ monetary policies and exchange rate system. The Eastern Caribbean dollar (EC$) is the common currency and has been pegged to the US dollar (US$) at EC$2.70 to US$1.00 since July 1976.
As an international financial jurisdiction, Antigua & Barbuda is regulated by the Financial Services Regulatory Commission (FSRC). Upholding internationally recognised standards of compliance, the FSRC is responsible for overseeing and controlling the financial services industry in the twin islands.
The government passed legislation entitled the Digital Assets Business Bill of 2020 to enable the use of blockchain technology and initial coin offerings (ICOs). Particular emphasis has been placed on cryptocurrencies as well as low-risk assets.This allows investors to trade, deposit and withdraw funds in fiat currency through a government bank, thus minimising the risk of price fluctuations by avoiding the volatility of cryptocurrencies.
With its robust regulatory framework, political stability and attractive tax incentives, the islands have also established themselves as a popular destination for offshore banking and international financial services.