Bahamas vs New Zealand
Crypto regulation comparison
Bahamas
New Zealand
Legal
Legal
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.
Cryptocurrency is legal in New Zealand and treated as a form of property for tax purposes. The IRD taxes crypto depending on the purpose of acquisition — if bought with the intention to sell, gains are taxable income. New Zealand does not have a formal capital gains tax, but crypto profits are often taxable under income tax rules. Exchanges are not specifically licensed but must comply with AML/CFT requirements.
Tax Type
No tax
Tax Type
Income
Tax Rate
0%
Tax Rate
10.5-39%
Exchanges
Yes
Exchanges
Yes
Mining
No
Mining
Yes
Regulator
Securities Commission of the Bahamas (SCB)
Regulator
FMA (Financial Markets Authority), IRD (Inland Revenue)
Stablecoin Rules
Regulated under DARE Act 2024; algorithmic stablecoins banned
Stablecoin Rules
No specific 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
- Crypto treated as property; gains taxable if acquired with intent to dispose
- No formal capital gains tax, but income tax applies to crypto trading profits
- Tax rates from 10.5% to 39% depending on income bracket
- Crypto salary payments are treated as taxable income
- Exchanges must comply with AML/CFT Act and register as reporting entities with DIA