Armenia vs Costa Rica
Crypto regulation comparison
Armenia
Costa Rica
Legal
No Regulation
Armenia adopted a comprehensive Law on Crypto Assets in May 2025, effective July 2025, modeled on the EU's MiCA. The Central Bank of Armenia licenses crypto service providers. Non-entrepreneur crypto gains are tax-free (0%); ECOS Free Economic Zone offers incentives for blockchain startups. Licensing enforcement begins January 2026.
Costa Rica has no specific cryptocurrency legislation. The Central Bank has stated crypto is not legal tender and not backed by the government, but has not prohibited its use. Some businesses accept Bitcoin, and there is a growing crypto community, particularly in tech-focused areas.
Tax Type
Capital gains
Tax Type
Unclear
Tax Rate
0% (non-entrepreneur) / 10-20% (business)
Tax Rate
N/A
Exchanges
Yes
Exchanges
Yes
Mining
Yes
Mining
Yes
Regulator
Central Bank of Armenia
Regulator
BCCR (Banco Central de Costa Rica), SUGEF
Stablecoin Rules
No specific stablecoin regulation
Stablecoin Rules
No stablecoin-specific regulation
Key Points
- Law on Crypto Assets adopted May 2025, effective July 2025
- Central Bank of Armenia licenses all crypto service providers
- 0% capital gains tax for non-entrepreneur crypto transactions
- Framework modeled on EU MiCA regulation
- Licensing enforcement begins January 31, 2026
Key Points
- No specific cryptocurrency legislation exists
- BCCR does not recognize crypto as legal tender but has not banned it
- Crypto businesses operate in a legal gray area without formal licensing
- A Bitcoin and crypto community has emerged, especially around tech hubs
- Tax obligations on crypto gains are unclear due to lack of specific guidance