Costa Rica vs Malaysia
Crypto regulation comparison
Costa Rica
Malaysia
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 and regulated in Malaysia. The Securities Commission oversees digital asset exchanges (DAX) and initial exchange offerings under the Capital Markets and Services (Prescription of Securities) Order 2019. Only SC-approved exchanges can operate. Malaysia does not impose capital gains tax on crypto for individuals, though frequent trading may be classified as business income.
Tax Type
Unclear
Tax Type
None
Tax Rate
N/A
Tax Rate
0%
Exchanges
Yes
Exchanges
Yes
Mining
Yes
Mining
Yes
Regulator
BCCR (Banco Central de Costa Rica), SUGEF
Regulator
SC (Securities Commission Malaysia), BNM (Bank Negara Malaysia)
Stablecoin Rules
No stablecoin-specific regulation
Stablecoin Rules
Digital assets on approved exchanges only; stablecoins not separately regulated
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
- Digital asset exchanges must be registered and approved by the Securities Commission
- Only approved tokens can be listed on registered exchanges (e.g., BTC, ETH, XRP on approved list)
- No capital gains tax for individuals; frequent trading may be treated as business income
- BNM regulates crypto for AML/CFT purposes under the Anti-Money Laundering Act
- IEOs must be conducted through SC-approved platforms