Nepal Rastra Bank Finalizes Official De-Licensing Protocols for Pokhara’s Central Exchange Counter

20th May 2026, Kathmandu

The provincial oversight directorate of Nepal Rastra Bank has officially finalized the regulatory de-licensing of Central Exchange Counter Private Limited. The private currency transactional enterprise had been operating its retail cash counters out of the busy tourism hub of Pokhara Ward Number 6, situated within the Kaski district of Gandaki Province.

NRB Cancels License

According to an administrative brief released directly through the central bank provincial headquarters, the operational permit allowing the private firm to manage foreign currency counter exchanges has been completely withdrawn from the active master registry, bringing a permanent close to its certified monetary intermediation activities.

Voluntary Operational Termination Prompts Formal De-Licensing Application

Unlike forced regulatory shutdowns that stem from serious compliance failures or systematic financial accounting errors, the closure of Central Exchange Counter Private Limited was initiated internally by the firm own management team. The corporate operators made an independent board decision to discontinue their retail exchange business and subsequently submitted a formal written petition to the central banking house requesting a voluntary cancellation of their active money changer permit. The central bank reviewed the clearance files, validated the internal financial positions, and formally approved the winding down request without introducing administrative delays.

Aligning Corporate Exit Routines with National Foreign Exchange Bylaws

The central financial authority processed the voluntary license surrender by utilizing specific statutory powers granted under the prevailing financial rulebooks of the nation. The regulatory cancellation was executed in strict accordance with the mandatory provisions contained within the Nepal Rastra Bank Money Changer Licensing and Inspection Regulation 2077. This regulatory manual outlines the exact legal steps, return of security deposits, and final document filing workflows that private counters must complete when planning a structural exit from the regulated financial ecosystem of Nepal.

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Total Ban Imposed on Active Convertible Foreign Currency Purchase Operations

Following the formal board decision passed on Baisakh 30, 2083 on the traditional calendar, Central Exchange Counter Private Limited has lost its statutory authorization to operate inside the financial markets. The counter is no longer permitted to conduct any business activities related to the purchase, acquisition, or processing of convertible foreign currencies from international tourists or local citizens. Any foreign currency exchange transactions initiated by the firm past this effective cutoff date will be treated by state prosecutors as an illegal financial operation, violating the country Foreign Exchange Regulation Act.

Central Bank Demands Absolute Compliance Across the Private Currency Sector

In tandem with the release of the specific closure notice, the Foreign Exchange Management Department of Nepal Rastra Bank has issued a wider regulatory reminder to all active money changers, travel agencies, and boutique hotels operating across the country. The central bank has instructed all licensed market participants to conduct their daily foreign cash collection routines in strict alignment with prevailing anti-money laundering laws and national banking guidelines. The authority stressed that keeping clean transactional logs, displaying daily exchange rate boards transparently, and renewing corporate licenses on time are mandatory requirements for everyone working in the tourism currency space.

Protecting Financial Market Stability and Managing Foreign Exchange Reserves

This regular monitoring and processing of corporate exits by the central bank represents a core component of its strategy to maintain stable currency reserves across the economy of Nepal. By ensuring that only active, fully compliant firms hold valid foreign transaction permits, the regulator can easily track national remittance inflows, manage currency conversion points, and suppress unauthorized trading networks. As the tourism capital of Pokhara prepares for upcoming travel seasons, the regulatory body continues to supervise remaining licensed exchange counters to ensure international visitors can access safe, certified, and fully legal currency services.

For More: NRB Cancels License