Argentina vs United Kingdom
Crypto regulation comparison
Argentina
United Kingdom
Cryptocurrency is legal in Argentina and widely adopted due to persistent inflation and currency controls. The CNV regulates crypto service providers under a 2024 registration framework. Argentina has one of the highest crypto adoption rates globally, with stablecoins used as a hedge against peso devaluation.
The UK has an evolving and increasingly comprehensive crypto regulatory framework. The FCA registers crypto firms for AML/CFT compliance and has imposed strict financial promotion rules requiring risk warnings and banning incentives. HMRC treats crypto as property subject to Capital Gains Tax (10% basic rate, 20% higher rate, with £3,000 annual exemption from 2024/25). The Financial Services and Markets Act 2023 brought crypto assets into the UK regulatory perimeter, and HM Treasury is developing rules for a full crypto regime including exchange licensing, stablecoin regulation, and a potential UK CBDC ('Britcoin').
Key Points
- CNV registered as the regulatory authority for virtual asset service providers (VASPs) under FATF guidelines
- Crypto gains taxed as income under the income tax law at progressive rates
- High adoption driven by inflation and capital controls on the Argentine peso
- Exchanges must register with the CNV and comply with AML/KYC requirements
- No legal tender status for crypto; the peso remains the only legal tender
Key Points
- FCA AML registration required for all crypto firms operating in the UK
- Capital Gains Tax: 10% (basic rate) or 20% (higher rate); £3,000 annual exempt amount (2024/25)
- Financial promotions regime (2023): strict rules on crypto advertising, risk warnings mandatory
- Financial Services and Markets Act 2023 brings crypto into regulatory perimeter
- HM Treasury developing comprehensive crypto regulatory regime (exchange licensing, conduct rules)
Sources
Sources
- HMRC - Cryptoassets Manual
- FCA - Cryptoassets Information
- HMRC - Capital Gains Tax Rates
- HMRC - Cryptoassets Manual: Mining
- FCA - Regulation of Digital Assets Speech
- FCA - Cryptoasset Registration Application
- FCA - Regulating Cryptoasset Activities (DP25/1)
- FCA - Financial Promotion Rules for Cryptoassets (PS23/6)