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Switzerland vs El Salvador

Crypto regulation comparison

← Back to map | Switzerland | El Salvador
Switzerland

Switzerland

El Salvador

El Salvador

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.

El Salvador made history in September 2021 by becoming the first country to adopt Bitcoin as legal tender through the Bitcoin Law. However, under a January 2025 IMF agreement (Decreto 199), El Salvador amended the law to make Bitcoin acceptance by businesses voluntary rather than mandatory, and repealed several articles. There is no capital gains tax on Bitcoin. The CNAD regulates digital assets.

Tax Type Wealth
Tax Type No tax
Tax Rate 0% capital gains (individuals); wealth tax varies by canton
Tax Rate 0%
Exchanges Yes Yes
Exchanges Yes Yes
Mining Yes Yes
Mining Yes Yes
Regulator FINMA (Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority)
Regulator BCR (Banco Central de Reserva), CNAD (Comisión Nacional de Activos Digitales)
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 USD is the primary currency; Bitcoin-specific legislation in place
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
  • First country to adopt Bitcoin as legal tender in September 2021 via the Bitcoin Law
  • Government developed the Chivo wallet for citizens, offering $30 USD in BTC incentive
  • January 2025 Decreto 199 made merchant Bitcoin acceptance voluntary (IMF condition)
  • No capital gains tax on Bitcoin transactions for individuals
  • Government has been accumulating Bitcoin reserves and launched Bitcoin-backed bonds
Sources
Sources