OJK Crypto Rules: What Indonesia’s Financial Authority Actually Allows in 2025

When it comes to crypto in Indonesia, the OJK, the Financial Services Authority of Indonesia, the main regulator overseeing banks, insurance, and capital markets. Also known as Otoritas Jasa Keuangan, it doesn’t allow crypto as payment or as a financial product—but it also doesn’t ban trading outright. This confusing middle ground is where most Indonesian traders live today. The OJK’s stance is clear: crypto isn’t money, isn’t legal tender, and no exchange can offer it as an investment product under their watch. But while the OJK blocks crypto from banking systems, another agency, Bappebti, the Commodity Futures Trading Regulatory Agency, which handles crypto as a commodity. Also known as Badan Pengawas Perdagangan Berjangka Komoditi, it’s the one that licenses crypto exchanges and tracks trading volume. That split creates a gap: you can trade Bitcoin on Bappebti-approved platforms like Indodax or Pintu, but you can’t use your bank account to fund it without risking a freeze. The OJK doesn’t care if you buy crypto—you just can’t use Rupiah from a bank to do it.

This is why most Indonesian traders use peer-to-peer platforms like Paxful or LocalBitcoins, or deposit via e-wallets like OVO or DANA. The OJK doesn’t regulate those, so they fly under the radar. But if you try to link your bank account directly to a crypto exchange, you’ll likely get flagged. In 2025, the OJK cracked down harder on banks that enabled crypto deposits, forcing them to block transactions to unlicensed platforms. That’s why you see so many guides online about using VPNs, foreign exchanges, or crypto-to-crypto swaps to avoid detection. The OJK isn’t chasing individual traders—it’s going after banks and payment processors. Meanwhile, Bappebti keeps adding new licensed exchanges, but each one has to prove it has anti-money laundering controls, KYC checks, and zero exposure to foreign regulators. That’s why you won’t find Binance or Coinbase officially operating in Indonesia—they don’t meet the local rules.

What’s really happening? Traders are adapting. Some use crypto as a savings tool, buying Bitcoin to protect against Rupiah inflation. Others trade altcoins on licensed platforms, hoping to cash out via P2P. But if you’re holding crypto in Indonesia, you’re doing it in a gray zone. The OJK says it’s not a financial asset. Bappebti says it’s a commodity. And the public? They’re just trying to keep their money safe. Below, you’ll find real reviews of exchanges that work in Indonesia, deep dives into how local traders bypass restrictions, and warnings about scams pretending to be OJK-approved. No fluff. Just what you need to know before you trade.