Spot crypto is lawful in Costa Rica and has never been prohibited, but it is not money: Ley 10961, published in Alcance 78 to La Gaceta 113 on 19 June 2026, defines a virtual asset as a digital representation of value that can be traded or transferred digitally and used for payments or investment, and states expressly that this does not mean it is recognised as legal tender in the country or as a currency by the Banco Central de Costa Rica.
A perpetual on ARB tracks price and does not confer ownership of the underlying — the same contract mechanics apply in every jurisdiction; what differs by country is legal status and funding rails.
11 venues open Arbitrum perps to traders in Costa Rica.
ApeX
Aster
Avantis
gTrade
Helix
Hyperliquid
KiloEx
Lighter
PacificaFour steps from sign-up to an open position.
Trading ARB from Costa Rica: legal.
For Arbitrum traders in Costa Rica: Statutory, from the moment Ley 10961 takes effect.
16 platforms serve Costa Rica for Arbitrum trading, among them Aevo, ApeX and Aster.
Canborsa charges 0.07% per side (0.14% round trip) on Arbitrum.