Egypt vs Japan
Crypto regulation comparison
Egypt
Japan
Egypt heavily restricts cryptocurrency. The Central Bank of Egypt prohibits banks from dealing in or facilitating crypto transactions, and a 2018 Dar al-Ifta fatwa declared crypto trading haram. However, Egypt's 2020 banking law created a framework that could eventually allow regulated crypto under CBE licensing.
Japan is one of the world's most comprehensively regulated crypto markets. The Payment Services Act and Financial Instruments and Exchange Act govern crypto exchanges and tokens. Japan classifies crypto as "crypto-assets" and taxes gains as miscellaneous income at rates up to 55%, though reforms to lower this rate are under active discussion.
Key Points
- CBE prohibits banks and financial institutions from dealing in cryptocurrency
- Dar al-Ifta issued a 2018 religious ruling (fatwa) against crypto trading
- 2020 Central Bank and Banking Sector Law requires CBE approval for any crypto activity
- Creating or operating a crypto platform without CBE license is illegal
- Despite restrictions, Egypt has significant peer-to-peer crypto activity
Key Points
- Crypto exchanges must register with the FSA under the Payment Services Act
- Crypto gains taxed as miscellaneous income at up to 55% (national + local tax)
- Japan's self-regulatory body JVCEA sets industry standards for exchanges
- 2022 stablecoin legislation (revised Payment Services Act) regulates stablecoin issuance
- Government considering tax reform to apply a flat 20% separate taxation on crypto gains
Sources
Sources
- NTA - Crypto Assets Tax Pamphlet
- FSA - Registered Crypto-Asset Exchanges
- FSA - Regulating Crypto Assets in Japan
- NTA - Tax Answer No. 1524 (暗号資産)
- NTA - Income Tax Guide 2025 (English PDF)
- Japanese Law Translation - Payment Services Act
- FSA - Discussion Paper on Cryptoasset Regulatory Systems
- FSA - Registered Electronic Payment Instrument Exchanges