Cryptocurrencies: A Global Ranking & Analysis (Update 2020)
Along with the explosion of interest in digital currency and all of its implications, there is a growing need for clarity regarding the legal implications of these new technologies.
Governments around the world, regulatory agencies, central banks, and other financial institutions are working to understand the nature and meaning of it.
In this guide you will find all the information about this phenomenon and its legality worldwide.
Cryptocurrency is an internet-based medium of exchange which uses cryptographical functions to conduct financial transactions.
It leverage blockchain technology to gain decentralization, transparency, and immutability.
Legal status by country
COUNTRY |
LEGALITY |
BANKING |
INSTITUTION |
Canada |
|||
United States |
|||
Mexico |
Ley para Regular a las Instituciones de Tecnología Financiera |
||
Nicaragua |
|||
Costa Rica |
|||
Jamaica |
|||
Trinidad and Tobago |
Central Bank of Trinidad and Tobago Statement on Financial Technology and Virtual Currencies |
||
Argentina |
|||
Bolivia |
|
||
Brazil |
|||
Chile |
|||
Colombia |
|||
Ecuador |
|||
Venezuela |
Ley del Sistema Integral de Criptoactivos en Venezuela
|
||
Kyrgyzstan |
|||
Uzbekistan |
|||
Cyprus |
|||
Russia |
On the use of private “virtual currencies” (cryptocurrencies) |
||
United Arab Emirates |
|||
Israel |
|||
Saudi Arabia |
|||
Jordan |
|||
Lebanon |
|||
Turkey |
Turkish Banking Regulation and Supervision Agency Press release |
||
Iran |
|||
India |
|||
Pakistan |
|||
China (PRC) |
|||
Hong Kong |
|||
Japan |
|||
Germany |
Gesetz zur Umsetzung der Änderungsrichtlinie zur Vierten EU-Geldwäscherichtlinie |
||
Poland |
Komunikat Narodowego Banku Polskiego i Komisji Nadzoru Finansowego w sprawie “walut” wirtualnych |
||
Switzerland |
Federal Council report on virtual currencies in response to the Schwaab (13.3687) |
||
Italy |
|||
Spain |
|||
France |
|||
United Kingdom |
Awareness & adoption by country
Tax rate by country
COUNTRY |
CLASSIFICATION |
TYPE OF TAX |
TAX RATE |
Australia |
Property |
Progressive income tax GST |
19-45% 10% |
Belarus |
Digital asset |
NA |
NA |
Brazil |
Asset |
Capital gains tax |
15% |
Canada |
Asset |
Progressive income tax |
15-33% |
China |
Virtual commodity |
Progressive income tax (for international trading) |
3-45% |
Denmark |
Private money |
NA |
NA |
France |
Property |
Capital gains tax |
30-34% |
Germany |
Private money |
Progressive income tax |
0%-45% |
India |
Digital asset |
Progressive income tax
GST |
0-30% 18% |
Israel |
Digital asset |
Progressive income tax VAT
|
10-50% 17% |
Japan |
Property
|
Property Progressive income tax Consumption tax
|
5-45% 8% |
Malta |
Commodity |
NA |
NA |
Netherlands |
Asset |
Income tax |
30% |
Digital asset |
NA |
NA |
|
Portugal |
NA |
NA |
NA |
Russia |
Digital asset |
Income tax |
13% |
Singapore |
Property |
NA |
NA |
Slovenia |
Movable property |
NA |
NA |
South Africa |
Intangible asset |
Progressive income tax |
18-45% |
South Korea |
Property |
Income tax VAT
|
20.9% 7% |
Sweden |
Digital asset |
Progressive income tax |
0-57% |
Switzerland |
Movable property |
Progressive wealth tax Progressive income tax
|
0-0.67% 7-34% |
Turkey |
Commodity |
Progressive income tax |
15-35% |
European Union |
NA |
NA |
NA |
United Kingdom |
Private money or Asset |
Corporation tax Progressive income tax
|
19% 0-45% |
United States |
Property |
Capital gains Progressive income tax
|
0-20% 10-37% |
Final ranking: Top 5 most friendly countries for Cryptos
1. Japan
With the number of crypto companies in Japan growing, 190 companies express the intention of market entry – the tech-savvy country is an ideal jurisdiction to set up a cryptocurrency business. The island nation has a booming bitcoin and cryptocurrency industry and was one of the first and only countries to recognize cryptocurrency within its legal system.
Adoption is growing in the country too, with many businesses, restaurants and cafes accepting crypto for payments compared to other countries and jurisdictions.
2. Luxembourg
A tiny country of little under 600,000, Luxembourg boasts one of the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchanges, Bitstamp.
Luxembourg has long been a financial hub and business-friendly nation and the country clearly sees the potential of cryptocurrencies. Crypto exchanges in Luxembourg are governed by the CSSF and must follow the same rules as other financial institutions.
3. Singapore
The business-friendly, low-tax and tech-friendly Singapore is another jurisdiction worth considering.
Although the previous regulatory framework for crypto wasn’t entirely clear, and some businesses were unable to expand due to troubles with bank accounts, the country’s financial regulator said that it was very open to crypto companies working with banks to reach an agreement to allow these businesses to grow.
Last year, the central bank of Singapore finalized the country’s new regulatory framework for payment services, which now includes cryptocurrency.
4. Switzerland
Switzerland has long been a crypto-friendly nation. Its government has been open to the idea of cryptocurrency, encouraging crypto startups to set up shop there, and announcing a new legislative approach to blockchain.
Switzerland’s tax rate is also attractive. In general, the country boasts a low-tax environment for businesses and many bitcoin service startups are already based in Switzerland.
The country’s tax regulator considers cryptocurrencies to be assets, subject to wealth taxes that must be declared in annual returns.
5. United States
The United States is unsurprisingly a hotbed of crypto companies. Many high-profile cryptocurrency exchanges, custody providers, wallet developers, and miners operate from the U.S. and the government is working to enact a clearer legal framework for crypto-related businesses.
Policy varies state to state, and while taxation guidelines in the U.S. have generally been unclear, recently lawmakers filed a bill to create tax exemptions for certain cryptocurrency transactions.
Security challenges when dealing with Cryptos
How crypto dealers can protect their online security
With the staggering figure of $1.1 billion dollars of cryptocurrency already stolen this year, it is evident that owners must seriously consider their online security.
Use 2-Factor Authentication (2FA)
Two-factor authentication helps add a layer of security to your account.
If you’re using a third-party software to help your trades, then it would be best if you place restrictions on your API keys so that it will only work with specific IP addresses.
That way, you’re assured no one will be able to touch your account even if they manage to find your secret keys.
Don’t store all of your money in just one wallet
Over the years, some crypto exchanges have become victims of hacking attacks and other security issues. This resulted in many of their user accounts being frozen or worse, compromised.
That’s why there is no guarantee that your tokens can be safely stored in a crypto exchange platform. It should be stored in a private wallet.
Use a VPN to hide your digital footprint
A digital footprint pertains to all the traces of your online activity. This includes your login details, IP address, cookies, comments and social media posts.
Hackers can use these traces to access your personal information. You don’t want this to happen and risk compromising the security of your crypto assets.
That’s why it is recommended to use a Virtual Private Network (VPN), like Surfshark to hide your identity while browsing and keep your online activities away from prying eyes.
Don’t fall for a phishing email
You need to be extra vigilant whenever you receive emails with external links. Oftentimes, these phishing emails are designed to look like a legitimate company and may be tricky to detect.
Before clicking any external link or giving personal information, check the domain name. Legitimate companies use their domain name to send emails.
If the email asks you to confirm personal information, be wary. Search for the organization and contact them directly. Don’t use any form of communication indicated in the email.
Make Sure to Check Your Account Activity
Have you ever made an audit of all your cryptocurrency wallets, logins, and other accounts that contain information related to your crypto assets?
To start, check your email inbox so you can see which crypto platforms you signed up for.
Knowing all your accounts will help you monitor the activities and act immediately should there be something suspicious going on.
Sources and References
- Due.com – 6 Security Tips Every Cryptocurrency Trader Should Know
- Csoonline.com – What is cryptojacking? How to prevent, detect, and recover from it
- Micky.com.au – Best and worst countries in the world for crypto taxes
- Medium.com – LEGALITY OF CRYPTOCURRENCY BY COUNTRY | by Rilcoin
- Surfshark.com – Why You Should Use a VPN When Working with Cryptocurrencies
- 3commas.io – Cryptocurrencies Regulations and Taxation Worldwide
- En.wikipedia.org – Legality of bitcoin by country or territory
- News.bitcoin.com – 5 Crypto-Friendly Countries to Base Your Business
- Tokentax.co – What Are Cryptocurrency Tax Rates?
- Loc.gov – Regulation of Cryptocurrency Around the World