Bolivia vs Zimbabwe
Crypto regulation comparison
Bolivia
Zimbabwe
Legal
Restricted
Bolivia reversed its 2014 cryptocurrency ban in June 2024, when the Central Bank issued a resolution allowing the use of cryptocurrencies and digital assets through authorized financial channels. The move was driven by the need for alternative payment mechanisms amid dollar shortages.
Zimbabwe has restricted cryptocurrency through its central bank. The RBZ banned financial institutions from processing crypto transactions in 2018. However, in a unique move, the RBZ issued gold-backed digital tokens (ZiG tokens) in 2023 as a store of value. Zimbabwe has a history of currency instability (hyperinflation, currency collapses) which drives informal crypto adoption for hedging and remittances.
Tax Type
Unclear
Tax Type
None
Tax Rate
N/A
Tax Rate
N/A
Exchanges
Yes
Exchanges
No
Mining
Yes
Mining
Yes
Regulator
BCB (Banco Central de Bolivia), ASFI
Regulator
RBZ (Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe)
Stablecoin Rules
No specific stablecoin regulation
Stablecoin Rules
No private stablecoin regulation; RBZ introduced gold-backed ZiG digital token as state currency
Key Points
- Bolivia banned crypto in 2014 via BCB Resolution 044/2014
- Ban was lifted in June 2024 via new BCB resolution permitting crypto transactions
- Reversal motivated by acute US dollar shortages in the country
- Regulatory framework for VASPs is still being developed
- Tax treatment of crypto remains largely unclear under Bolivian tax law
Key Points
- RBZ banned banks and financial institutions from servicing crypto in 2018
- RBZ issued gold-backed digital tokens (ZiG) in 2023 as a CBDC-like instrument
- No licensing framework for crypto exchanges
- Informal crypto adoption driven by currency instability and remittance needs
- Crypto ownership itself is not explicitly criminalized for individuals