Albania vs Singapore
Crypto regulation comparison
Albania
Singapore
Albania adopted Law No. 66/2020 on Financial Markets Based on Distributed Ledger Technology, establishing a comprehensive licensing framework for crypto activities. The AMF and AKSHI jointly supervise. A 2022 licensing regime allows five types of DLT licenses. Crypto profits taxed at 15% capital gains; mining income taxed at 0-23%.
Singapore is a leading global crypto hub with a comprehensive regulatory framework under the Payment Services Act (PSA) 2019, amended in 2022. MAS licenses Digital Payment Token (DPT) service providers for AML/KYC compliance and consumer protection. Singapore has no capital gains tax, making it attractive for crypto businesses and investors. However, MAS has progressively tightened retail investor protections, restricting crypto advertising and requiring risk warnings. Short term trading gains is considered income and taxed as such.
Key Points
- Law on Financial Markets Based on DLT adopted in 2020
- Five types of DLT licenses: exchange, agent, custody, collective investment, innovative service
- Crypto profits taxed at 15% capital gains; mining at 0-23% income rates
- AML/KYC requirements apply to crypto service providers
- Albania remains on FATF grey list for AML/CFT monitoring
Key Points
- Payment Services Act (PSA) 2019 provides licensing for Digital Payment Token (DPT) services
- MAS issues Major Payment Institution (MPI) and Standard Payment Institution (SPI) licenses for crypto
- No capital gains tax on crypto for individuals; trading profits may be taxed if deemed business income
- MAS introduced stablecoin regulatory framework in August 2023 for SG$-pegged stablecoins
- Strict retail investor protection: crypto advertising restricted, no incentives for trading
Sources
- MAS - Guidelines on Licensing for DTSPs
- MAS - DPT Services Regulated in Singapore
- IRAS - Income Tax Treatment of Digital Tokens
- MAS - Strengthens Regulatory Measures for DPT
- MAS - Expands Scope of Regulated Payment Services
- MAS - Measures to Reduce Risks from Crypto Trading
- MAS - Regulatory Regime for Digital Token Service Providers