Brunei vs Laos
Crypto regulation comparison
Brunei
Laos
Restricted
Legal
Brunei has no specific cryptocurrency legislation. The BDCB (formerly AMBD) stated in 2017 that crypto is not legal tender and not regulated, warning the public about risks. Crypto is not banned but has no legal protection. No tax guidelines address crypto specifically.
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
None
Tax Type
Unclear
Tax Rate
N/A
Tax Rate
15% on transaction fees
Exchanges
No
Exchanges
Yes
Mining
Yes
Mining
Yes
Regulator
Brunei Darussalam Central Bank (BDCB, formerly AMBD)
Regulator
Ministry of Technology and Communications, Bank of the Lao PDR
Stablecoin Rules
No stablecoin regulation
Stablecoin Rules
No specific stablecoin regulation; pilot covers BTC, ETH, LTC
Key Points
- BDCB stated in 2017 that crypto is not legal tender and not regulated
- Crypto not recognized as legal tender
- No specific cryptocurrency legislation
- Financial institutions discouraged from dealing in crypto
- No tax guidelines specifically address cryptocurrency
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