Costa Rica vs Netherlands
Crypto regulation comparison
Costa Rica
Netherlands
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.
The Netherlands has one of Europe's strictest crypto regulatory regimes. DNB has overseen VASP registration since 2020 under the Dutch AML/CFT Act (Wwft), and many applications have been rejected. The Netherlands does not tax realized capital gains directly; instead, crypto holdings are taxed under the Box 3 wealth tax based on a deemed return on net assets. The AFM oversees market conduct. MiCA is now the governing framework.
Tax Type
Unclear
Tax Type
Wealth
Tax Rate
N/A
Tax Rate
~1.2-1.6% (deemed return)
Exchanges
Yes
Exchanges
Yes
Mining
Yes
Mining
Yes
Regulator
BCCR (Banco Central de Costa Rica), SUGEF
Regulator
DNB (De Nederlandsche Bank), AFM (Autoriteit Financiële Markten)
Stablecoin Rules
No stablecoin-specific regulation
Stablecoin Rules
Regulated under EU MiCA framework; DNB oversight
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
- DNB requires VASP registration under the Wwft (AML Act); rigorous approval process
- Only a limited number of VASPs have obtained DNB registration (many rejected or withdrawn)
- Crypto taxed under Box 3 wealth tax: deemed return on net assets taxed at ~31-36% (effective ~1.2-1.6%)
- AFM regulates crypto advertising and market conduct; banned crypto ads targeting retail in 2022
- MiCA framework applicable from December 2024, transitioning from national DNB regime