Colombia vs Mexico
Crypto regulation comparison
Colombia
Mexico
Legal
Legal
Cryptocurrency is legal in Colombia but not recognized as legal tender or currency. The SFC has run regulatory sandbox programs for crypto-financial services, and exchanges operate under general business registration. Colombia has high crypto adoption, particularly for remittances and as an inflation hedge.
Mexico regulates cryptocurrency under the 2018 Fintech Law (Ley Fintech), one of Latin America's first comprehensive crypto regulatory frameworks. The CNBV licenses fintech institutions including crypto exchanges. However, Banxico has restricted financial institutions from offering crypto services directly to customers. Crypto gains are taxed as income at progressive rates.
Tax Type
Capital gains
Tax Type
Capital gains
Tax Rate
0-39%
Tax Rate
1.92-35%
Exchanges
Yes
Exchanges
Yes
Mining
Yes
Mining
Yes
Regulator
SFC (Superintendencia Financiera de Colombia), DIAN
Regulator
CNBV, Banxico (Bank of Mexico), SHCP
Stablecoin Rules
No specific stablecoin regulations yet
Stablecoin Rules
Virtual assets regulated under Fintech Law; Banxico restricts banks from offering crypto to clients
Key Points
- Crypto is legal but not recognized as currency or legal tender
- SFC operates regulatory sandboxes allowing banks to partner with crypto exchanges
- DIAN (tax authority) requires reporting and taxation of crypto gains as part of general income
- Colombia ranks among the top 20 countries globally in crypto adoption
- No comprehensive crypto-specific legislation yet; regulation evolving
Key Points
- Fintech Law (2018) regulates virtual asset operations through licensed ITFs (Fintech Institutions)
- CNBV (National Banking and Securities Commission) oversees licensing and compliance
- Banxico issued rules restricting banks from offering crypto to clients directly
- Crypto gains taxed as 'other income' (otros ingresos) at progressive rates up to 35%
- Mexico has high crypto adoption driven by remittances and unbanked population