Costa Rica vs Croatia
Crypto regulation comparison
Costa Rica
Croatia
No Regulation
Legal
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.
Cryptocurrency is legal in Croatia and regulated under the EU's MiCA framework since Croatia joined the eurozone in January 2023. Crypto capital gains are taxed at 10-12% depending on the holding period. HANFA oversees crypto service providers.
Tax Type
Unclear
Tax Type
Capital gains
Tax Rate
N/A
Tax Rate
12%
Exchanges
Yes
Exchanges
Yes
Mining
Yes
Mining
Yes
Regulator
BCCR (Banco Central de Costa Rica), SUGEF
Regulator
HANFA (Croatian Financial Services Supervisory Agency)
Stablecoin Rules
No stablecoin-specific regulation
Stablecoin Rules
Regulated under EU MiCA framework
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
- Capital gains on crypto taxed at 12% flat rate
- Gains on crypto held over 2 years are tax-exempt
- HANFA regulates VASPs under Croatian and EU law
- MiCA framework fully applicable from 30 December 2024
- Croatia joined the eurozone in January 2023, aligning financial regulation with EU standards