Cyprus vs Iceland
Crypto regulation comparison
Cyprus
Iceland
Legal
Legal
Cyprus regulates crypto under the EU MiCA framework (fully applicable since December 2024). CySEC authorizes crypto-asset service providers (CASPs) while the Central Bank of Cyprus oversees e-money tokens and asset-referenced tokens. Crypto gains from occasional transactions are currently not taxed; active trading is taxed as income at 0-35%. A proposed 8% flat tax on crypto gains is pending parliamentary approval for 2026.
Cryptocurrency is legal in Iceland and subject to a 22% capital gains tax. Iceland is a major crypto mining destination due to abundant geothermal and hydroelectric energy. As an EEA member, Iceland follows EU financial regulations including MiCA through EEA incorporation.
Tax Type
Varies
Tax Type
Capital gains
Tax Rate
0-35% (proposed 8% flat rate from 2026)
Tax Rate
22%
Exchanges
Yes
Exchanges
Yes
Mining
Yes
Mining
Yes
Regulator
CySEC, Central Bank of Cyprus
Regulator
FME (Fjármálaeftirlitið / Financial Supervisory Authority), Central Bank of Iceland
Stablecoin Rules
Regulated under EU MiCA framework
Stablecoin Rules
No specific stablecoin regulation; follows EEA guidelines
Key Points
- CySEC authorizes and supervises crypto-asset service providers under MiCA
- No capital gains tax on crypto for occasional transactions; active trading taxed as income
- EU MiCA regulation applies as an EU member state
- AML/CFT requirements enforced for all crypto businesses
- Proposed 8% flat tax on crypto gains pending parliamentary approval for 2026
Key Points
- 22% capital gains tax on crypto profits
- Iceland is one of the world's largest crypto mining locations due to cheap renewable energy
- FME supervises crypto businesses under AML/KYC regulations
- As an EEA member, Iceland incorporates EU financial regulations including MiCA
- Capital controls (imposed 2008-2017) originally complicated crypto usage but have been lifted