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Switzerland vs Laos

Crypto regulation comparison

← Back to map | Switzerland | Laos
Switzerland

Switzerland

Laos

Laos

Legal
Legal

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.

Laos authorized cryptocurrency mining and trading through a 2021 pilot program (PM Notification No. 1158). Six companies were initially licensed, growing to 15+ by 2023. Mining operations must be 100% Lao-owned and use at least 10MW from Électricité du Laos. Two crypto exchanges (LDX, Bitqik) registered with Bank of Lao PDR.

Tax Type Wealth
Tax Type Unclear
Tax Rate 0% capital gains (individuals); wealth tax varies by canton
Tax Rate 15% on transaction fees
Exchanges Yes Yes
Exchanges Yes Yes
Mining Yes Yes
Mining Yes Yes
Regulator FINMA (Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority)
Regulator Ministry of Technology and Communications, Bank of the Lao PDR
Stablecoin Rules Regulated under FINMA framework; fiat-pegged stablecoin issuers must hold a banking or fintech licence (reserves treated as public deposits), or a payment system licence under FMIA if structured as financial market infrastructure
Stablecoin Rules No specific stablecoin regulation; pilot covers BTC, ETH, LTC
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
  • PM Notification No. 1158 (2021) authorized pilot crypto mining and trading
  • Two licensed exchanges: LDX and Bitqik, registered with Bank of Lao PDR
  • Mining leverages surplus hydroelectric power from Électricité du Laos
  • Mining must be 100% Lao-owned; trading platforms require 51% Lao ownership
  • 15% tax on transaction fees; M security deposit required for exchanges
Sources
Sources