Armenia vs Laos
Crypto regulation comparison
Armenia
Laos
Legal
Legal
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.
Laos authorized cryptocurrency mining and trading through a 2021 pilot program (PM Notification No. 1158). Six companies were initially licensed, growing to 15+ by 2023. Mining operations must be 100% Lao-owned and use at least 10MW from Électricité du Laos. Two crypto exchanges (LDX, Bitqik) registered with Bank of Lao PDR.
Tax Type
Capital gains
Tax Type
Unclear
Tax Rate
0% (non-entrepreneur) / 10-20% (business)
Tax Rate
15% on transaction fees
Exchanges
Yes
Exchanges
Yes
Mining
Yes
Mining
Yes
Regulator
Central Bank of Armenia
Regulator
Ministry of Technology and Communications, Bank of the Lao PDR
Stablecoin Rules
No specific stablecoin regulation
Stablecoin Rules
No specific stablecoin regulation; pilot covers BTC, ETH, LTC
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
- PM Notification No. 1158 (2021) authorized pilot crypto mining and trading
- Two licensed exchanges: LDX and Bitqik, registered with Bank of Lao PDR
- Mining leverages surplus hydroelectric power from Électricité du Laos
- Mining must be 100% Lao-owned; trading platforms require 51% Lao ownership
- 15% tax on transaction fees; M security deposit required for exchanges