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United Arab Emirates vs India

Crypto regulation comparison

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

United Arab Emirates

India

India

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.

India legalized crypto taxation in the 2022 Union Budget, imposing a flat 30% tax on all crypto gains with no deductions for losses. A 1% TDS (Tax Deducted at Source) on crypto transactions above thresholds also applies. The Supreme Court struck down the RBI's 2018 banking ban in 2020, and India is now developing a broader regulatory framework.

Tax Type None
Tax Type Capital gains
Tax Rate 0%
Tax Rate 30%
Exchanges Yes Yes
Exchanges Yes Yes
Mining Yes Yes
Mining Yes Yes
Regulator VARA (Dubai), ADGM/FSRA (Abu Dhabi), SCA (Federal), CBUAE
Regulator CBDT, FIU-IND, SEBI, RBI
Stablecoin Rules VARA regulates stablecoins in Dubai; ADGM has separate framework
Stablecoin Rules No specific stablecoin regulation; RBI exploring digital rupee CBDC
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
  • Flat 30% tax on all crypto gains with no loss offset against other income (effective April 2022)
  • 1% TDS on crypto transactions above ₹10,000 (₹50,000 for specified persons)
  • Supreme Court struck down RBI's 2018 banking circular banning banks from serving crypto firms
  • FIU-IND requires VASPs to register and comply with PMLA (Prevention of Money Laundering Act)
  • India blocked non-compliant offshore exchanges (Binance, others) in 2024, later some re-registered
Sources
Sources