Switzerland vs Norway
Crypto regulation comparison
Switzerland
Norway
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 Norway and regulated by Finanstilsynet. Norway taxes crypto capital gains at 22% and includes crypto holdings in the annual wealth tax calculation (net wealth above NOK 1.7M taxed at ~1.1%). VASPs must register with Finanstilsynet. Norway is an EEA member and aligning with MiCA through the EEA agreement.
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
- Crypto capital gains taxed at 22% flat rate
- Crypto included in wealth tax base (~1.1% on net wealth above threshold)
- VASPs must register with Finanstilsynet and comply with AML/CFT requirements
- Norway is a major crypto mining hub due to cheap hydroelectric power
- EEA member; MiCA implementation expected through EEA Agreement adaptation