Ecuador vs Norway
Crypto regulation comparison
Ecuador
Norway
Partially Regulated
Legal
Ecuador has a complex relationship with cryptocurrency. A 2014 National Assembly resolution banned Bitcoin as legal tender, and the Central Bank prohibits financial institutions from dealing in crypto. However, private ownership and trading of crypto are not explicitly illegal, and peer-to-peer usage exists.
Cryptocurrency is legal in Norway and regulated by Finanstilsynet. Norway taxes crypto capital gains at 22% and includes crypto holdings in the annual wealth tax calculation (net wealth above NOK 1.7M taxed at ~1.1%). VASPs must register with Finanstilsynet. Norway is an EEA member and aligning with MiCA through the EEA agreement.
Tax Type
Unclear
Tax Type
Wealth and capital gains
Tax Rate
N/A
Tax Rate
22% (gains) + 1.1% (wealth)
Exchanges
Yes
Exchanges
Yes
Mining
Yes
Mining
Yes
Regulator
Banco Central del Ecuador, Superintendencia de Bancos
Regulator
Finanstilsynet (Financial Supervisory Authority)
Stablecoin Rules
No specific stablecoin regulation
Stablecoin Rules
No specific stablecoin regulation; general financial rules apply
Key Points
- 2014 resolution prohibits crypto from being used as legal tender
- Central Bank bans financial institutions from facilitating crypto transactions
- Private ownership and P2P trading exist in a legal gray area
- Ecuador uses the US dollar as its official currency, limiting monetary policy tools
- No comprehensive crypto regulatory framework in place
Key Points
- Crypto capital gains taxed at 22% flat rate
- Crypto included in wealth tax base (~1.1% on net wealth above threshold)
- VASPs must register with Finanstilsynet and comply with AML/CFT requirements
- Norway is a major crypto mining hub due to cheap hydroelectric power
- EEA member; MiCA implementation expected through EEA Agreement adaptation