The governor of Bali in Indonesia is threatening to punish tourists who use Bitcoin and cryptocurrencies as a means of payment on the island.
Bali, one of Indonesia’s most popular islands, is also a place where the adoption of cryptos is growing rapidly. Many establishments in Bali accept cryptocurrency payments, offering travelers and residents the opportunity to pay for meals, accommodation and tourist activities with digital currencies.
However, Bali’s provincial government no longer wants foreign tourists using cryptocurrency as a means of payment in hotels, restaurants, and other venues.
Indeed, local media Antaranews reported on Sunday that Bali now plans to crack down on foreign tourists adept at paying in Bitcoin and via other digital assets.
Foreign tourists who behave inappropriately, engage in activities not authorized in their visa permits, use crypto as a means of payment and violate other provisions will be dealt with firmly,” Bali’s governor told a press conference.
Wayan Koster added that the latter would face sanctions ranging from deportation to criminal convictions, pointing out that only the rupiah had been authorized as a means of payment on the island since a law enacted in 2011.
Cryptocurrency “as an asset” remains authorized, however, according to the Indonesian government-owned news agency.
