United Arab Emirates vs Ivory Coast
Crypto regulation comparison
United Arab Emirates
Ivory Coast
Legal
No Regulation
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.
Ivory Coast has no specific cryptocurrency legislation. As a WAEMU member under BCEAO oversight, it follows regional monetary policy. Growing fintech interest is driving discussions around crypto regulation.
Tax Type
None
Tax Type
None
Tax Rate
0%
Tax Rate
N/A
Exchanges
Yes
Exchanges
Yes
Mining
Yes
Mining
Yes
Regulator
VARA (Dubai), ADGM/FSRA (Abu Dhabi), SCA (Federal), CBUAE
Regulator
BCEAO (Central Bank of West African States)
Stablecoin Rules
VARA regulates stablecoins in Dubai; ADGM has separate framework
Stablecoin Rules
No stablecoin regulation
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
- No specific national cryptocurrency legislation
- BCEAO provides regional monetary and regulatory oversight
- Part of the WAEMU monetary zone using the CFA franc
- Growing fintech sector driving interest in crypto
- No formal licensing framework for crypto businesses