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United Arab Emirates vs Kazakhstan

Crypto regulation comparison

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

United Arab Emirates

Kazakhstan

Kazakhstan

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.

Kazakhstan has a dual approach to crypto regulation. The Astana International Financial Centre (AIFC) operates as a regulated sandbox where licensed crypto exchanges can operate under AFSA supervision. Outside the AIFC, crypto regulation is more restrictive. Kazakhstan became a major mining hub after China's ban but has since tightened mining regulations.

Tax Type None
Tax Type Capital gains
Tax Rate 0%
Tax Rate 10%
Exchanges Yes Yes
Exchanges Yes Yes
Mining Yes Yes
Mining Yes Yes
Regulator VARA (Dubai), ADGM/FSRA (Abu Dhabi), SCA (Federal), CBUAE
Regulator AFSA (Astana Financial Services Authority), NBK (National Bank of Kazakhstan)
Stablecoin Rules VARA regulates stablecoins in Dubai; ADGM has separate framework
Stablecoin Rules AIFC (Astana International Financial Centre) has its own framework for digital assets including stablecoins
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
  • AIFC provides a regulatory sandbox for licensed crypto exchanges and businesses
  • Mining is legal and licensed, with a specific tax on electricity consumption for miners
  • Kazakhstan became the world's second-largest Bitcoin mining country after China's 2021 ban
  • 2022 mining crackdown introduced stricter licensing and energy consumption taxes
  • Outside AIFC, domestic crypto payments and exchanges face greater restrictions
Sources
Sources