Barbados vs Italy
Crypto regulation comparison
Barbados
Italy
Legal
Legal
Barbados has a favorable environment for cryptocurrency. With no income or capital gains tax, crypto activities are not specifically taxed. The Financial Services Commission oversees financial markets. Barbados has been exploring blockchain for government services.
Cryptocurrency is legal in Italy with a 26% capital gains tax on crypto profits exceeding €2,000 per year. VASPs must register with the OAM (Agents and Mediators Register). Italy was one of the first EU countries to require VASP registration and has aligned with MiCA.
Tax Type
No tax
Tax Type
Capital gains
Tax Rate
0%
Tax Rate
26%
Exchanges
Yes
Exchanges
Yes
Mining
Yes
Mining
Yes
Regulator
Central Bank of Barbados, Financial Services Commission
Regulator
OAM (Organismo Agenti e Mediatori), Consob, Banca d'Italia
Stablecoin Rules
No specific stablecoin regulation
Stablecoin Rules
Regulated under EU MiCA framework
Key Points
- No income tax or capital gains tax applies to crypto
- Financial Services Commission provides general oversight of financial markets
- Government has explored blockchain for land registry and identity services
- Crypto businesses operate under general financial services regulations
- Growing fintech sector with interest in digital asset innovation
Key Points
- 26% substitute tax on crypto capital gains exceeding €2,000 per year (since 2023 budget law)
- Italian government proposed raising crypto tax to 42% for 2025 but this was reduced back to 26%
- VASPs must register with OAM and comply with AML requirements
- Crypto holdings above €51,645.69 were previously the threshold; new regime simplified this
- MiCA framework applicable from December 2024