Cuba vs Kazakhstan
Crypto regulation comparison
Cuba
Kazakhstan
Legal
Legal
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.
Kazakhstan has a dual approach to crypto regulation. The Astana International Financial Centre (AIFC) operates as a regulated sandbox where licensed crypto exchanges can operate under AFSA supervision. Outside the AIFC, crypto regulation is more restrictive. Kazakhstan became a major mining hub after China's ban but has since tightened mining regulations.
Tax Type
Unclear
Tax Type
Capital gains
Tax Rate
N/A
Tax Rate
10%
Exchanges
Yes
Exchanges
Yes
Mining
No
Mining
Yes
Regulator
Banco Central de Cuba (BCC)
Regulator
AFSA (Astana Financial Services Authority), NBK (National Bank of Kazakhstan)
Stablecoin Rules
No stablecoin regulation
Stablecoin Rules
AIFC (Astana International Financial Centre) has its own framework for digital assets including stablecoins
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
- AIFC provides a regulatory sandbox for licensed crypto exchanges and businesses
- Mining is legal and licensed, with a specific tax on electricity consumption for miners
- Kazakhstan became the world's second-largest Bitcoin mining country after China's 2021 ban
- 2022 mining crackdown introduced stricter licensing and energy consumption taxes
- Outside AIFC, domestic crypto payments and exchanges face greater restrictions