Azerbaijan vs Saudi Arabia
Crypto regulation comparison
Azerbaijan
Saudi Arabia
Partially Regulated
Restricted
Azerbaijan has no specific cryptocurrency legislation but crypto is not banned. Crypto profits are taxable at 14% income tax. The Central Bank is drafting a comprehensive digital asset framework expected by end of 2025, modeled on international best practices. A regulatory sandbox is being developed.
Saudi Arabia has an ambiguous but generally restrictive approach to cryptocurrency. SAMA has not licensed any crypto exchanges, and financial institutions are warned against dealing in crypto. However, crypto is not explicitly banned by law, and Saudi Arabia has participated in blockchain initiatives (Project Aber with the UAE central bank). No personal income or capital gains tax exists in Saudi Arabia.
Tax Type
Income
Tax Type
None
Tax Rate
14%
Tax Rate
0%
Exchanges
Yes
Exchanges
No
Mining
Yes
Mining
Yes
Regulator
Central Bank of Azerbaijan
Regulator
SAMA (Saudi Arabian Monetary Authority), CMA Saudi Arabia
Stablecoin Rules
No stablecoin regulation
Stablecoin Rules
No regulation; crypto trading not authorized
Key Points
- No specific crypto legislation; operates in legal gray area
- Crypto profits taxable at 14% income tax
- Central Bank drafting comprehensive digital asset framework
- Manat is the only legal tender per 1995 Constitution
- Regulatory sandbox being developed for virtual assets
Key Points
- SAMA has not authorized or licensed any cryptocurrency exchanges
- Financial institutions warned against crypto transactions
- Crypto not explicitly banned but not regulated; exists in a legal gray area
- No personal income or capital gains tax in Saudi Arabia
- Saudi Arabia participated in CBDC experiments (Project Aber with UAE)