Costa Rica vs Egypt
Crypto regulation comparison
Costa Rica
Egypt
No Regulation
Restricted
Costa Rica has no specific cryptocurrency legislation. The Central Bank has stated crypto is not legal tender and not backed by the government, but has not prohibited its use. Some businesses accept Bitcoin, and there is a growing crypto community, particularly in tech-focused areas.
Egypt heavily restricts cryptocurrency. The Central Bank of Egypt prohibits banks from dealing in or facilitating crypto transactions, and a 2018 Dar al-Ifta fatwa declared crypto trading haram. However, Egypt's 2020 banking law created a framework that could eventually allow regulated crypto under CBE licensing.
Tax Type
Unclear
Tax Type
Unclear
Tax Rate
N/A
Tax Rate
N/A
Exchanges
Yes
Exchanges
No
Mining
Yes
Mining
No
Regulator
BCCR (Banco Central de Costa Rica), SUGEF
Regulator
Central Bank of Egypt (CBE), Dar al-Ifta
Stablecoin Rules
No stablecoin-specific regulation
Stablecoin Rules
Not applicable under current restrictions
Key Points
- No specific cryptocurrency legislation exists
- BCCR does not recognize crypto as legal tender but has not banned it
- Crypto businesses operate in a legal gray area without formal licensing
- A Bitcoin and crypto community has emerged, especially around tech hubs
- Tax obligations on crypto gains are unclear due to lack of specific guidance
Key Points
- CBE prohibits banks and financial institutions from dealing in cryptocurrency
- Dar al-Ifta issued a 2018 religious ruling (fatwa) against crypto trading
- 2020 Central Bank and Banking Sector Law requires CBE approval for any crypto activity
- Creating or operating a crypto platform without CBE license is illegal
- Despite restrictions, Egypt has significant peer-to-peer crypto activity