Switzerland vs Maldives
Crypto regulation comparison
Switzerland
Maldives
Legal
Restricted
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.
The Maldives Monetary Authority has warned against cryptocurrency and does not recognize it as legal tender. No specific legislation exists but the MMA discourages crypto activities.
Tax Type
Wealth
Tax Type
None
Tax Rate
0% capital gains (individuals); wealth tax varies by canton
Tax Rate
N/A
Exchanges
Yes
Exchanges
No
Mining
Yes
Mining
No
Regulator
FINMA (Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority)
Regulator
Maldives Monetary Authority (MMA)
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 stablecoin regulation
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
- MMA has warned against cryptocurrency use
- Crypto not recognized as legal tender
- No specific cryptocurrency legislation
- Financial institutions discouraged from dealing in crypto
- Limited crypto adoption