Barbados vs Laos
Crypto regulation comparison
Barbados
Laos
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.
Laos authorized cryptocurrency mining and trading through a 2021 pilot program (PM Notification No. 1158). Six companies were initially licensed, growing to 15+ by 2023. Mining operations must be 100% Lao-owned and use at least 10MW from Électricité du Laos. Two crypto exchanges (LDX, Bitqik) registered with Bank of Lao PDR.
Tax Type
No tax
Tax Type
Unclear
Tax Rate
0%
Tax Rate
15% on transaction fees
Exchanges
Yes
Exchanges
Yes
Mining
Yes
Mining
Yes
Regulator
Central Bank of Barbados, Financial Services Commission
Regulator
Ministry of Technology and Communications, Bank of the Lao PDR
Stablecoin Rules
No specific stablecoin regulation
Stablecoin Rules
No specific stablecoin regulation; pilot covers BTC, ETH, LTC
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
- PM Notification No. 1158 (2021) authorized pilot crypto mining and trading
- Two licensed exchanges: LDX and Bitqik, registered with Bank of Lao PDR
- Mining leverages surplus hydroelectric power from Électricité du Laos
- Mining must be 100% Lao-owned; trading platforms require 51% Lao ownership
- 15% tax on transaction fees; M security deposit required for exchanges