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United Arab Emirates vs Hong Kong

Crypto regulation comparison

← Back to map | United Arab Emirates | Hong Kong
United Arab Emirates

United Arab Emirates

Hong Kong

Hong Kong

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.

Hong Kong has positioned itself as a major crypto hub in Asia with a comprehensive licensing regime. The SFC implemented a mandatory licensing framework for virtual asset trading platforms (VATPs) effective June 2023. Hong Kong has no capital gains tax, making it attractive for crypto investors and businesses.

Tax Type None
Tax Type No tax
Tax Rate 0%
Tax Rate 0%
Exchanges Yes Yes
Exchanges Yes Yes
Mining Yes Yes
Mining Yes Yes
Regulator VARA (Dubai), ADGM/FSRA (Abu Dhabi), SCA (Federal), CBUAE
Regulator SFC (Securities and Futures Commission), HKMA
Stablecoin Rules VARA regulates stablecoins in Dubai; ADGM has separate framework
Stablecoin Rules HKMA developing a licensing regime for stablecoin issuers under a 2024 bill
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
  • Mandatory VATP licensing regime under the AMLO effective June 1, 2023
  • No capital gains tax in Hong Kong; profits tax applies only to business profits
  • SFC approved spot Bitcoin and Ether ETFs for retail investors in April 2024
  • HKMA consulting on stablecoin issuer licensing under a dedicated bill
  • Hong Kong actively competes with Singapore as Asia's leading crypto hub
Sources
Sources