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Switzerland vs Latvia

Crypto regulation comparison

Switzerland

Switzerland

Latvia

Latvia

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.

Cryptocurrency is legal in Latvia and regulated under the EU MiCA framework. Since 2023, the financial regulator FKTK merged into Latvijas Banka, which now oversees VASP registration and AML compliance. Capital gains from crypto are taxed at 20%. Latvia has been proactive in implementing EU-wide crypto standards.

Tax Type Wealth
Tax Type Capital gains
Tax Rate 0% capital gains (individuals); wealth tax varies by canton
Tax Rate 20%
Exchanges Yes Yes
Exchanges Yes Yes
Mining Yes Yes
Mining Yes Yes
Regulator FINMA (Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority)
Regulator FKTK (Finanšu un kapitāla tirgus komisija) / Latvijas Banka
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 Regulated under EU MiCA framework
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
  • VASPs must register with Latvijas Banka and comply with AML/CFT requirements
  • Capital gains from crypto taxed at 20% personal income tax rate
  • MiCA framework applies from December 2024, transitioning existing registrations
  • Latvia transposed the 5th Anti-Money Laundering Directive for crypto oversight
  • Latvijas Banka absorbed FKTK regulatory functions in January 2023