Bahamas vs Jamaica
Crypto regulation comparison
Bahamas
Jamaica
Legal
No Regulation
The Bahamas enacted the Digital Assets and Registered Exchanges (DARE) Act in 2020, creating a comprehensive regulatory framework. The SCB oversees digital asset businesses. The Bahamas also launched the Sand Dollar CBDC.
Jamaica has no specific cryptocurrency legislation. The Bank of Jamaica does not regulate or endorse crypto but has not banned it. Jamaica launched its own CBDC, JAM-DEX, in 2022 through the National Commercial Bank. Crypto exists in a legal gray area with no dedicated framework.
Tax Type
No tax
Tax Type
Unclear
Tax Rate
0%
Tax Rate
N/A
Exchanges
Yes
Exchanges
Yes
Mining
No
Mining
Yes
Regulator
Securities Commission of the Bahamas (SCB)
Regulator
BOJ (Bank of Jamaica), FSC
Stablecoin Rules
Regulated under DARE Act 2024; algorithmic stablecoins banned
Stablecoin Rules
BOJ launched JAM-DEX CBDC; no private stablecoin regulation
Key Points
- DARE Act (2020) provides comprehensive regulation for digital assets and exchanges
- Securities Commission of the Bahamas licenses and supervises digital asset businesses
- No income tax, capital gains tax, or crypto-specific taxes
- Sand Dollar CBDC launched in 2020 as one of the world's first
- FTX collapse in 2022 led to enhanced scrutiny and regulatory updates
Key Points
- No specific cryptocurrency legislation or regulatory framework
- BOJ does not recognize crypto as legal tender but has not banned it
- Jamaica launched the JAM-DEX CBDC in 2022
- FSC Jamaica has not issued specific guidance on crypto asset regulation
- Tax treatment of crypto gains is unclear due to lack of specific guidance