Switzerland vs China
Crypto regulation comparison
Switzerland
China
Switzerland is one of the world's most crypto-friendly jurisdictions. The Canton of Zug is known as 'Crypto Valley' and hosts the Ethereum Foundation and hundreds of blockchain companies. FINMA provides clear regulatory guidance, and the DLT Act (2021) created a legal framework for tokenized securities and crypto exchanges. Individual investors pay no capital gains tax on crypto, though it is included in the cantonal wealth tax base. Professional traders may be subject to income tax.
China has imposed a comprehensive ban on cryptocurrency activities. In September 2021, the PBOC and ten other agencies jointly declared all cryptocurrency transactions illegal, and the State Council banned crypto mining. China is instead promoting the digital yuan (e-CNY) CBDC.
Key Points
- No capital gains tax on crypto for individual investors (private wealth management)
- Crypto included in cantonal wealth tax base (rates vary by canton, typically 0.1-1%)
- Professional/frequent traders may be classified as self-employed and taxed on income
- FINMA regulates crypto under existing financial market laws and the 2021 DLT Act
- DLT Act (2021) introduced DLT trading facility license and legal framework for tokenized assets
Key Points
- All crypto transactions declared illegal by PBOC and 10 agencies in September 2021
- Crypto mining banned by the State Council in 2021 after a series of provincial crackdowns
- Financial institutions and payment companies prohibited from facilitating crypto services
- China actively developing and piloting the digital yuan (e-CNY) CBDC
- Despite the ban, some Chinese citizens reportedly access crypto via VPNs and OTC desks