Cuba vs North Korea
Crypto regulation comparison
Cuba
North Korea
Legal
Banned
Cuba's Central Bank issued Resolution 215/2021 recognizing virtual assets and establishing a licensing framework for virtual asset service providers (VASPs). The BCC evaluates and grants one-year licenses to VASPs. US sanctions limit access to international platforms but domestic crypto use is formally regulated.
North Korea does not allow civilian cryptocurrency use. The regime has been accused by the UN and US of using state-sponsored hacking to steal cryptocurrency to fund weapons programs.
Tax Type
Unclear
Tax Type
None
Tax Rate
N/A
Tax Rate
N/A
Exchanges
Yes
Exchanges
No
Mining
No
Mining
No
Regulator
Banco Central de Cuba (BCC)
Regulator
Central Bank of North Korea
Stablecoin Rules
No stablecoin regulation
Stablecoin Rules
Not applicable — crypto banned
Key Points
- Resolution 215 (2021) allows central bank to license virtual asset service providers
- Central Bank licenses virtual asset service providers under Resolution 215
- VASPs must comply with AML/KYC requirements and report to the central bank
- US sanctions significantly limit access to international crypto platforms
- Government agencies may not use virtual assets without BCC authorization
Key Points
- No civilian cryptocurrency use permitted
- State-sponsored crypto theft alleged by UN and US
- Lazarus Group linked to major crypto exchange hacks
- International sanctions restrict all financial activities
- Cryptocurrency used by state actors, not civilians