Fintech & digital payments rules in Chile (2026)

Law No. 21.521 (Ley Fintec) was enacted in January 2023, creating Chile's first comprehensive framework for technology-based financial services and tasking the CMF with implementation via General Rule NCG 493/502.

All providers of the seven regulated services (crowdfunding, alternative trading systems, credit/investment advice, custody, order routing, instrument intermediation, plus others CMF designates) must enroll in the CMF's Registry of Financial Service Providers and obtain authorization to operate.

The CMF reported it inscribed 42 entities in the registry under the Ley Fintec during 2024–2025 and authorized 37 to operate; in February 2026 it issued NCG 559 clarifying information duties for incumbent providers offering fintech services.

Non-bank prepaid card issuers (e-money) and card operators/acquirers are licensed as special corporations supervised by the CMF, subject to capital and liquidity-reserve requirements set in the Central Bank's Compendium; rules were updated to add closed-loop and cross-border acquiring models.

The CMF published the Open Finance System regulation under the Ley Fintec on 3 July 2024, covering data access and payment initiation via standardized APIs; entry into force has been postponed (proposed July 2026 shifted toward July 2027) with a multi-year gradual onboarding calendar for banks, card issuers, cooperatives and insurers.

Real-time electronic transfers (TEF) clear through the Centro de Compensación Automatizado, and the Central Bank announced 2026 measures to expand transfer-based payments; BNPL is offered in-market but has no standalone statute, falling under general consumer-credit and fintech rules.