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.

Decentralized
Decentralized
It is not controlled by any central authority
Transparent
Transparent
Can be sent directly between two parties via the use of private and public keys.
Immutable
Immutable
Due to blockchain transaction records are public and unchangeable.

Legal status by country

COUNTRY

LEGALITY

BANKING

INSTITUTION

 Canada

Money services businesses (MSBs)

 United States

Urban Affairs Subcommittee on National Security and International Trade and Finance Subcommittee on Economic Policy

 Mexico

 Ley para Regular a las Instituciones de Tecnología Financiera

 Nicaragua

 Regulation of Bitcoin in Selected Jurisdictions

 Costa Rica

 Posición del Banco Central de Costa Rica (BCCR) y sus Órganos de Desconcentración Máxima (ODM) con respecto a las criptomonedas

 Jamaica

Bank of Jamaica Electronic Retail Payments Service

 Trinidad and Tobago

 Central Bank of Trinidad and Tobago Statement on Financial Technology and Virtual Currencies

 Argentina

Regulation of Cryptocurrency: Argentina

 Bolivia

Banco Central de Bolivia

 

 Brazil

Comunicado nº 31.379, de 16/11/2017

 Chile

 FinteChile

 Colombia

Uso de las monedas virtuales o criptomonedas y las formas de transacción con éstas en el territorio de Colombia

 Ecuador

Banco Central del Ecuador

 Venezuela

Ley del Sistema Integral de Criptoactivos en Venezuela

 

 Kyrgyzstan

National Bank of the Kyrgyz Republic

 Uzbekistan

On measures to organize the activities of crypto-exchanges in Uzbekistan”, № ПП-3926 from September 2nd 2018

 Cyprus

Regulation of Bitcoin in Selected Jurisdictions: Cyprus

 Russia

On the use of private “virtual currencies” (cryptocurrencies)

 United Arab Emirates

Regulation of Crypto Asset Activities in ADGM

 Israel

 Taxation of Cryptocurrency

 Saudi Arabia

تعرف على خطر عملة “بيتكوين” ولماذا منعتها السعودية

 Jordan

 Central bank warns against using bitcoin

 Lebanon

Central Bank of Lebanon

 Turkey

Turkish Banking Regulation and Supervision Agency Press release

 Iran

“ارزهای دیجیتال برای ایران چه فرصت‌هایی دارد؟ – بیت برگ”

 India

Reserve Bank of India Act 1934

 Pakistan

Notice by State Bank of Pakistan

 China (PRC)

People’s Bank of China

 Hong Kong

比特币不受金管局监管

 Japan

Payment Services Act. Cryptocurrency

 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

Regulation of Bitcoin in Selected Jurisdictions

 Spain

 Anteproyecto de ley –/2020

 France

Réguler les monnaies virtuelles

 United Kingdom

Information on Bitcoin regulations from the United Kingdom

Awareness & adoption by country

icon
20%
Turkey
icon
18%
Brazil
icon
18%
Colombia
icon
16%
Argentina
icon
16%
South Africa
icon
12%
Mexico
icon
11%
Chile
icon
11%
China

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%

Panama Panama

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

Phishing attacks
Phishing attacks
The fraudulent attempt to obtain sensitive information or data.
Cryptojacking
Cryptojacking
The malicious use of a person or persons' computing power to mine cryptocurrencies without consent.
Bitcoin addresses anonymity
Bitcoin addresses anonymity
It is possible to connect a bitcoin address to an IP and thus identify the individual concerned.
Fake Cryptocurrency Trade
Fake Cryptocurrency Trade
Make sure you use an exchange with a good reputation.
Scams
Scams
Most crypto scams can appear as emails trying to blackmail someone, online chain referral schemes, or bogus investment and business opportunities.
Unregulation
Unregulation
As a decrentralised currency, cryptocurrencies are currently unregulated by both governments and central banks.

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.