Australia vs Canada
Crypto regulation comparison
Australia
Canada
Legal
Legal
Cryptocurrency is legal and well-regulated in Australia. AUSTRAC oversees AML/CTF compliance for exchanges, ASIC handles consumer protection, and the ATO treats crypto as property for tax purposes. Australia has been developing a comprehensive licensing framework for digital asset platforms.
Canada has a well-developed regulatory framework for cryptocurrency. Crypto trading platforms must register with provincial securities regulators through the CSA, and all crypto businesses must register as money services businesses (MSBs) with FINTRAC. Canada approved spot Bitcoin ETFs in 2021, ahead of most other countries.
Tax Type
Capital gains
Tax Type
Capital gains
Tax Rate
0-45%
Tax Rate
0-26.76%
Exchanges
Yes
Exchanges
Yes
Mining
Yes
Mining
Yes
Regulator
ASIC, AUSTRAC, ATO
Regulator
CSA, FINTRAC, OSC, AMF
Stablecoin Rules
Stablecoins to be regulated under proposed payments framework legislation
Stablecoin Rules
CSA guidance requires stablecoins to maintain adequate reserves; value-referenced crypto assets regulated
Key Points
- Digital currency exchanges must register with AUSTRAC and comply with AML/CTF Act
- ATO treats cryptocurrency as a CGT asset; holding for 12+ months qualifies for 50% discount
- ASIC regulates crypto products that qualify as financial products under the Corporations Act
- Treasury released a token mapping consultation in 2023 to classify digital assets
- Proposed licensing regime for digital asset platforms under development
Key Points
- Crypto trading platforms must register with CSA provincial regulators
- All crypto dealers must register as MSBs with FINTRAC for AML/KYC compliance
- 50% of capital gains are taxable; business income from crypto is fully taxable
- Canada approved spot Bitcoin and Ether ETFs in 2021, the first major country to do so
- CSA issued Staff Notice 21-327 on obligations for crypto trading platforms