Algeria vs Kazakhstan
Crypto regulation comparison
Algeria
Kazakhstan
Banned
Legal
Algeria maintains one of the world's strictest cryptocurrency bans. Article 117 of the 2018 Finance Law prohibits the purchase, sale, use, and possession of virtual currencies. Law No. 25-10 (2025) further codified criminal penalties including imprisonment and fines for crypto-related activities.
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
None
Tax Type
Capital gains
Tax Rate
N/A
Tax Rate
10%
Exchanges
No
Exchanges
Yes
Mining
No
Mining
Yes
Regulator
Bank of Algeria
Regulator
AFSA (Astana Financial Services Authority), NBK (National Bank of Kazakhstan)
Stablecoin Rules
All crypto activities banned including stablecoins
Stablecoin Rules
AIFC (Astana International Financial Centre) has its own framework for digital assets including stablecoins
Key Points
- 2018 Finance Law (Article 117) prohibits purchase, sale, use, and holding of virtual currency
- No licensed crypto exchanges operate in Algeria
- Bank of Algeria has issued multiple warnings against cryptocurrency
- Law No. 25-10 (2025) codifies prison sentences and fines for crypto offenses
- Despite the ban, peer-to-peer crypto usage persists informally
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
