Andorra vs El Salvador
Crypto regulation comparison
Andorra
El Salvador
Legal
Legal
Andorra enacted the Digital Assets Act (Law 24/2022) providing a comprehensive framework for crypto. The AFA licenses exchanges, custodians, and stablecoin issuers. Aligning with EU MiCA.
El Salvador made history in September 2021 by becoming the first country to adopt Bitcoin as legal tender through the Bitcoin Law. However, under a January 2025 IMF agreement (Decreto 199), El Salvador amended the law to make Bitcoin acceptance by businesses voluntary rather than mandatory, and repealed several articles. There is no capital gains tax on Bitcoin. The CNAD regulates digital assets.
Tax Type
Unclear
Tax Type
No tax
Tax Rate
N/A
Tax Rate
0%
Exchanges
Yes
Exchanges
Yes
Mining
Yes
Mining
Yes
Regulator
Andorran Financial Authority (AFA)
Regulator
BCR (Banco Central de Reserva), CNAD (Comisión Nacional de Activos Digitales)
Stablecoin Rules
Regulated under Digital Assets Act with specific stablecoin licenses
Stablecoin Rules
USD is the primary currency; Bitcoin-specific legislation in place
Key Points
- Digital Assets Act (Law 24/2022) effective Oct 2022
- AFA licenses and regulates all digital asset service providers
- Three categories of stablecoins with specific licensing requirements
- Low electricity costs make mining attractive
- Aligning regulations with EU MiCA framework
Key Points
- First country to adopt Bitcoin as legal tender in September 2021 via the Bitcoin Law
- Government developed the Chivo wallet for citizens, offering $30 USD in BTC incentive
- January 2025 Decreto 199 made merchant Bitcoin acceptance voluntary (IMF condition)
- No capital gains tax on Bitcoin transactions for individuals
- Government has been accumulating Bitcoin reserves and launched Bitcoin-backed bonds