BTC $67,140.00 (-1.16%)
ETH $1,980.76 (-1.49%)
XRP $1.43 (-3.58%)
BNB $610.90 (-1.20%)
SOL $82.31 (-3.44%)
TRX $0.28 (-0.55%)
DOGE $0.10 (-2.70%)
BCH $563.64 (-0.43%)
ADA $0.28 (-2.54%)
LEO $8.66 (+1.24%)
HYPE $28.89 (-2.24%)
LINK $8.71 (-2.06%)
CC $0.16 (-2.06%)
XMR $325.66 (-4.70%)
XLM $0.16 (-3.83%)
RAIN $0.01 (+1.47%)
ZEC $262.31 (-10.16%)
HBAR $0.10 (-2.59%)
LTC $53.40 (-1.75%)
AVAX $8.91 (-2.15%)

United Arab Emirates vs Uganda

Crypto regulation comparison

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

United Arab Emirates

Uganda

Uganda

Legal
Restricted

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.

Uganda restricts cryptocurrency. The Bank of Uganda issued a 2022 circular (NPSD 306) barring licensed payment service providers from facilitating crypto transactions. A 2023 High Court ruling upheld the circular, declaring cryptocurrencies illegal under the National Payment Systems Act 2020. No crypto exchanges are licensed to operate. Informal P2P crypto activity exists despite restrictions.

Tax Type None
Tax Type None
Tax Rate 0%
Tax Rate N/A
Exchanges Yes Yes
Exchanges No No
Mining Yes Yes
Mining Yes Yes
Regulator VARA (Dubai), ADGM/FSRA (Abu Dhabi), SCA (Federal), CBUAE
Regulator BOU (Bank of Uganda), CMA Uganda
Stablecoin Rules VARA regulates stablecoins in Dubai; ADGM has separate framework
Stablecoin Rules No regulation
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
  • BOU Circular NPSD 306 (April 2022) bars licensed entities from facilitating crypto
  • 2023 High Court ruled cryptocurrencies illegal under National Payment Systems Act 2020
  • Growing crypto adoption, particularly for cross-border transactions
  • No specific crypto taxation rules
  • Financial Intelligence Authority requires VASPs to comply with AML laws
Sources
Sources