Cryptonomist: Top 11 Nations for Crypto Users and Traders

While some nations are dithering on reforming investment and banking laws which are impediments for the new technology - or actively hostile towards crypto - others are taking the lead. Smart countries are establishing tax laws that encourage cryptocurrency use and trade, and many of the countries already known for pro-privacy, pro-investment financial policies are leading the way.

The shame is the United States isn’t taking the initiative in a similar way. American regulators arbitrarily enforce rules that derive from older standards established for the more ossified world of traditional finance. In fact many of the regulatory agencies and bodies in America deliberately appear to select younger, smaller companies for “regulation by enforcement” which don’t have the financial resources to mount a proper legal defense.

The Cryptonomist surveyed nations around the world and identified those with the most convenient regulations for crypto owners and traders. We hope American lawmakers will follow suit, because on this trajectory the United States could start losing capital, talent and investment to these forward-minded nations.

Portugal

Until 2022, profits from selling crypto assets were not subject to capital gains tax. Under the new 2023 budget law, capital gains from the sale of cryptocurrencies held for less than a year will be subject to a 28 percent tax rate. However, profits realized through the sale of crypto assets held for more than one year will remain exempt from capital gains tax.

Germany

In Germany, similar to Portugal, if you buy cryptocurrencies and hold them for more than a year when you later decide to sell you will pay no tax. If, on the other hand, you buy your assets and sell them before the one year mark, making a profit of at least €600, then your capital gains will be taxed. In addition, Germany includes income taxes for those who engage in mining and staking.

Malta

“Electronic money” and “utility tokens” are not considered capital assets and therefore are not subject to capital gains tax (unlike “security tokens”). However, if the trading activity is repeated over time and is carried out in a professional manner, there is a tax on the income from such activity. The rate applied in such cases is 35% but can be reduced to 0% to 5% depending on one’s income level.

Switzerland

In Switzerland, profits from the sale of cryptocurrency are exempt from taxation for small non-professional investors. However, there are income taxes for professional traders and those who engage in mining activities. There is also an assets tax that is levied annually on net worth and whose rate varies depending on the canton in which an individual resides.

Georgia

Individuals residing in Georgia are exempt from paying any tax on income from the sale of crypto assets. In addition, cryptocurrencies are not subject to capital gains tax. In contrast, for crypto-assets held by legal entities, profits are taxed at 15 percent through a corporate income tax (CIT).

Belarus

In March 2018, Belarus legalized cryptocurrency-related activities and exempted all individuals and all legal entities from paying any tax on crypto assets until 2023. This measure affects not only investors but also miners, who are precisely involved in the process of cryptocurrency mining. These operators are also exempt from paying capital gains and income taxes. Although Belarus is currently a tax haven for cryptocurrencies, things may change in the coming years: the law that grants the implementation of these tax-free measures will be subject to review during 2023.

El Salvador

The first country in the world to adopt bitcoin as legal tender, now exempts also foreign investors from paying any tax on gains from bitcoin investments. By doing so, El Salvador wants to attract more investment into its economy. In addition, in 2022, this country has prepared a bill to issue Bitcoin Bonds, bonds issued on blockchain to raise USD 1 billion for the creation of Bitcoin City. This new city aims to become “The Mecca” of bitcoin users, a place where they can buy anything with bitcoin and where no resident will ever pay any capital gains tax.

Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico is an unincorporated territory of the United States and sets its tax laws independently. The local residents pay a much lower territorial income tax than the U.S. federal income tax. As for cryptocurrencies, assets purchased while residing in Puerto Rico are completely exempt from capital gains tax.

Singapore

Singapore does not have a capital gains tax, so neither individuals nor businesses are subject to it. Not surprisingly, Singapore is home to many of Asia’s largest exchanges and wallets. In addition, cryptocurrencies are defined as intangibles for tax purposes, so spending one’s cryptocurrencies is seen as barter and not payment. As a result, cryptocurrencies in Singapore are exempt from goods and services tax (GST). However, companies that accept cryptocurrency as a method of payment, will be subject to income tax. Companies that engage in trading as their main business must also pay an income tax.

Malaysia

As for individuals, profits made by trading cryptocurrencies are not taxed, as long as the trading transactions are not repeated and numerous. Thus, if you operate as a day trader, your profits will be subject to taxation. On the other hand, as for crypto companies (mining, staking, trading), profits are subject to income tax.

Cayman Islands

The Cayman Islands is a true tax haven for cryptocurrency holders as the country’s authorities impose no corporate tax on companies and no income or capital gains tax on residents. It is no coincidence, therefore, that the Cayman Islands is the headquarters of several companies in the crypto sector including Binance.