United Arab Emirates vs Hungary
Crypto regulation comparison
United Arab Emirates
Hungary
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 in Hungary and subject to a 15% personal income tax on gains. Hungary follows EU regulatory frameworks including MiCA. The MNB supervises crypto service providers, and the country has a growing blockchain and crypto ecosystem.
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
- 15% personal income tax on crypto gains
- Additional social contribution tax may apply to certain crypto income
- MNB supervises VASPs for AML/KYC compliance
- MiCA framework applicable from December 2024
- Hungary's tax rate on crypto is competitive within the EU