Crypto Regulation by Jurisdiction
Structured regulatory guides covering the major crypto jurisdictions — regulators, exchange / VASP licensing, stablecoin rules, tax framework summaries, AML and sanctions, retail-investor protections, and on-chain reporting requirements. Each entry cites the official regulator pages and statutory texts.
These are educational summaries, not legal or tax advice. Consult a qualified professional licensed in your jurisdiction for any consequential decision.
United States
The most fragmented major-economy framework: SEC, CFTC, FinCEN, OFAC, IRS, and 50 state regulators all claim partial jurisdiction.
European Union (MiCA)
MiCA — the world's first comprehensive crypto regulatory framework — fully applies across 27 EU member states from December 2024.
United Kingdom
FCA-led framework with FSMA-based authorisation for crypto, Section 104 tax pooling, and a phased stablecoin regulatory regime.
Japan
FSA-supervised Payment Services Act + JVCEA self-regulation; world's first formal crypto-exchange licensing regime, established 2017.
Singapore
MAS Payment Services Act framework with DPT licensing; retail-investor restrictions tightened post-Terra/Luna; major regional hub.
Hong Kong
SFC VATP licensing regime since June 2023; deliberate regional-hub positioning with retail-investor access under safeguards.
Switzerland
FINMA token categorisation + DLT Act = world's most-developed legal infrastructure for tokenised securities; 'Crypto Valley' Zug hub.
United Arab Emirates
Tri-regulator framework: VARA (Dubai onshore), DFSA (DIFC), ADGM (Abu Dhabi); aggressive crypto-hub positioning since 2022.
Thailand
SEC Thailand under the Emergency Decree on Digital Asset Businesses (2018); licensed exchanges + ICO portals; aggressive 2024-2025 enforcement.
South Korea
Virtual Asset User Protection Act (effective July 2024); FSC + FIU oversight; one of the world's most active retail crypto markets.
Australia
ASIC + AUSTRAC dual oversight; capital-gains tax framework; phased crypto-regulation reforms underway 2024-2026.
Brazil
Lei das Criptomoedas (Law 14,478/2022) + BCB supervision; Latin America's largest crypto market by volume; substantial recent enforcement.
Canada
Provincial-securities-led framework via CSA (OSC, AMF, BCSC); FINTRAC AML; one of the strictest crypto-securities frameworks globally.
India
PMLA + 30% flat tax + 1% TDS; RBI banking restrictions in tension with FIU registration; ambiguous-but-trending-permissive framework.