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United Arab Emirates vs Australia

Crypto regulation comparison

← Back to map | United Arab Emirates | Australia
United Arab Emirates

United Arab Emirates

Australia

Australia

Legal
Legal

The UAE has become a global crypto hub with multiple regulatory frameworks. Dubai's VARA (Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority), established in 2022, is the world's first dedicated crypto regulator and licenses exchanges, brokers, and other VASPs. Abu Dhabi's ADGM regulates crypto through the FSRA. The federal SCA also oversees crypto at the national level. The UAE has no personal income or capital gains tax. Major global exchanges (Binance, Bybit, OKX, Crypto.com) have obtained UAE licenses.

Cryptocurrency is legal and well-regulated in Australia. AUSTRAC oversees AML/CTF compliance for exchanges, ASIC handles consumer protection, and the ATO treats crypto as property for tax purposes. Australia has been developing a comprehensive licensing framework for digital asset platforms.

Tax Type None
Tax Type Capital gains
Tax Rate 0%
Tax Rate 0-45%
Exchanges Yes Yes
Exchanges Yes Yes
Mining Yes Yes
Mining Yes Yes
Regulator VARA (Dubai), ADGM/FSRA (Abu Dhabi), SCA (Federal), CBUAE
Regulator ASIC, AUSTRAC, ATO
Stablecoin Rules VARA regulates stablecoins in Dubai; ADGM has separate framework
Stablecoin Rules Stablecoins to be regulated under proposed payments framework legislation
Key Points
  • VARA (Dubai) — world's first standalone virtual asset regulator; comprehensive licensing framework
  • ADGM/FSRA (Abu Dhabi) — separate regulatory framework for digital assets in the financial free zone
  • No personal income tax or capital gains tax in the UAE
  • 9% corporate tax (from 2023) may apply to crypto businesses but not individual investors
  • Major exchanges licensed: Binance, Bybit, OKX, Crypto.com, BitOasis
Key Points
  • Digital currency exchanges must register with AUSTRAC and comply with AML/CTF Act
  • ATO treats cryptocurrency as a CGT asset; holding for 12+ months qualifies for 50% discount
  • ASIC regulates crypto products that qualify as financial products under the Corporations Act
  • Treasury released a token mapping consultation in 2023 to classify digital assets
  • Proposed licensing regime for digital asset platforms under development
Sources
Sources