United Arab Emirates vs Brazil
Crypto regulation comparison
United Arab Emirates
Brazil
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.
Brazil passed comprehensive crypto legislation (Law 14,478) in December 2022, which took effect in June 2023. The Banco Central do Brasil was designated as the primary regulator for crypto assets used as payment, while the CVM oversees crypto securities. Capital gains on crypto are taxed at 15-22.5%.
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
- Law 14,478/2022 (Marco Legal das Criptomoedas) provides a comprehensive legal framework
- Banco Central regulates VASPs; exchanges must obtain authorization to operate
- Capital gains taxed at 15% (up to R$5M), 17.5% (R$5-10M), 20% (R$10-30M), 22.5% (above R$30M)
- Monthly gains under R$35,000 from sales on domestic exchanges are exempt
- Receita Federal requires detailed monthly reporting of crypto transactions via IN1888