Canada vs Guatemala
Crypto regulation comparison
Canada
Guatemala
Legal
No Regulation
Canada has a well-developed regulatory framework for cryptocurrency. Crypto trading platforms must register with provincial securities regulators through the CSA, and all crypto businesses must register as money services businesses (MSBs) with FINTRAC. Canada approved spot Bitcoin ETFs in 2021, ahead of most other countries.
Guatemala has no specific cryptocurrency regulation. The Banco de Guatemala has stated that crypto is not legal tender and not backed by the central bank, but has not banned its use. Crypto usage exists primarily for remittances from the US-based diaspora.
Tax Type
Capital gains
Tax Type
Unclear
Tax Rate
0-26.76%
Tax Rate
N/A
Exchanges
Yes
Exchanges
Yes
Mining
Yes
Mining
Yes
Regulator
CSA, FINTRAC, OSC, AMF
Regulator
Banguat (Banco de Guatemala), SIB
Stablecoin Rules
CSA guidance requires stablecoins to maintain adequate reserves; value-referenced crypto assets regulated
Stablecoin Rules
No stablecoin-specific regulation
Key Points
- Crypto trading platforms must register with CSA provincial regulators
- All crypto dealers must register as MSBs with FINTRAC for AML/KYC compliance
- 50% of capital gains are taxable; business income from crypto is fully taxable
- Canada approved spot Bitcoin and Ether ETFs in 2021, the first major country to do so
- CSA issued Staff Notice 21-327 on obligations for crypto trading platforms
Key Points
- No specific cryptocurrency legislation exists
- Banguat has warned that crypto is not legal tender and not government-backed
- Crypto is neither explicitly legal nor illegal for private use
- Remittance use case is significant given large diaspora in the US
- Tax treatment of crypto gains is unclear