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United Arab Emirates vs Lithuania

Crypto regulation comparison

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

United Arab Emirates

Lithuania

Lithuania

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.

Cryptocurrency is legal and regulated in Lithuania. The Bank of Lithuania oversees VASPs under AML regulations and has been an early mover in crypto regulation within the EU. Lithuania attracted a large number of VASP registrations due to initially favorable conditions, though it tightened requirements significantly in 2022-2023. The MiCA framework now applies.

Tax Type None
Tax Type Capital gains
Tax Rate 0%
Tax Rate 15%
Exchanges Yes Yes
Exchanges Yes Yes
Mining Yes Yes
Mining Yes Yes
Regulator VARA (Dubai), ADGM/FSRA (Abu Dhabi), SCA (Federal), CBUAE
Regulator Bank of Lithuania (Lietuvos Bankas)
Stablecoin Rules VARA regulates stablecoins in Dubai; ADGM has separate framework
Stablecoin Rules Regulated under EU MiCA framework
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
  • VASPs must register with the Bank of Lithuania under AML/CFT law
  • Capital gains from crypto taxed at 15% personal income tax rate
  • Lithuania became a major EU hub for crypto companies; over 500 VASPs registered by 2022
  • Tightened VASP requirements in 2022-2023, including local substance and capital requirements
  • MiCA transition underway from December 2024
Sources
Sources