Costa Rica vs Moldova
Crypto regulation comparison
Costa Rica
Moldova
No Regulation
No Regulation
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.
Moldova currently has no specific cryptocurrency legislation. The National Bank warns that virtual currencies are unregulated and user funds are not protected. Ownership and trading are legal but use as payment is prohibited. Moldova plans to introduce its first crypto law by 2026, aligned with EU MiCA regulation, including a 12% tax on crypto profits.
Tax Type
Unclear
Tax Type
Income
Tax Rate
N/A
Tax Rate
12% (planned)
Exchanges
Yes
Exchanges
Yes
Mining
Yes
Mining
Yes
Regulator
BCCR (Banco Central de Costa Rica), SUGEF
Regulator
National Bank of Moldova
Stablecoin Rules
No stablecoin-specific regulation
Stablecoin Rules
No stablecoin regulation
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
- Virtual currencies not regulated; user funds not protected per NBM warning
- Ownership and trading legal; use as payment prohibited
- First crypto law planned by 2026, aligned with EU MiCA regulation
- Planned 12% tax on crypto transaction profits
- Law being drafted jointly by Finance Ministry, NBM, and AML authority