Indonesia has witnessed a substantial rise in cryptocurrency investors, reaching 19 million individuals in February. The Indonesian Commodity Futures Trading Regulatory Agency (Bappebti) links this increase to the significant elevation in Bitcoin prices and the overall uptrend in altcoins, propelled by optimistic market perspectives.
Investor Expansion and Trading Surge
The country’s trading volume showcased a parallel surge, hitting 30 trillion Indonesian rupiah ($1.92 billion) in February. The regulatory agency attributes this to the enhanced investor engagement in the crypto market, fueled by confidence in Bitcoin and various altcoins. Encouraged by a 170,000 user growth from the previous month, Bappebti is determined to foster the continuing expansion of the Indonesian crypto sector.
Strategic Tax Adjustments Considered
In pursuit of surpassing the $51.28 billion trading pinnacle of the last bull run in 2021, Bappebti plans to employ strategic tax alterations. Current crypto transaction taxes, including income tax and VAT, may be revised or lifted to bolster market activity. The upcoming Bitcoin block reward halving is also seen as a potential market booster.
To cultivate a thriving crypto ecosystem, Bappebti is considering significant changes, such as reducing transactional taxes and shifting regulatory responsibilities to the Financial Services Authority (OJK) in January 2025. Cryptocurrencies might be reclassified as securities, and VAT policies could be amended to align with the evolving crypto landscape.