Austria vs Norway
Crypto regulation comparison
Austria
Norway
Cryptocurrency is legal in Austria and regulated under the EU's MiCA framework. Since March 2022, crypto assets are taxed at a flat 27.5% rate on capital gains, aligned with other investment income. The FMA supervises crypto service providers.
Cryptocurrency is legal in Norway and regulated by Finanstilsynet. Norway taxes crypto capital gains at 22% and includes crypto holdings in the annual wealth tax calculation (net wealth above NOK 1.7M taxed at ~1.1%). VASPs must register with Finanstilsynet. Norway is an EEA member and aligning with MiCA through the EEA agreement.
Key Points
- Flat 27.5% tax on crypto capital gains since the 2022 eco-social tax reform
- Crypto held before February 28, 2021 is subject to legacy rules (tax-free after 1 year)
- FMA regulates VASPs under Austrian and EU law including MiCA
- Exchanges must register and comply with AML/KYC obligations under FM-GwG
- MiCA framework fully applicable from December 2024
Key Points
- Crypto capital gains taxed at 22% flat rate
- Crypto included in wealth tax base (~1.1% on net wealth above threshold)
- VASPs must register with Finanstilsynet and comply with AML/CFT requirements
- Norway is a major crypto mining hub due to cheap hydroelectric power
- EEA member; MiCA implementation expected through EEA Agreement adaptation