Spain vs Marshall Islands
Crypto regulation comparison
Spain
Marshall Islands
Legal
Legal
Cryptocurrency is legal and increasingly regulated in Spain. Crypto capital gains are taxed at progressive savings tax rates (19-28%). Spain was an early mover in requiring crypto advertising to be pre-approved by the CNMV. Since 2024, Spanish taxpayers must report overseas crypto holdings via the Modelo 721 form. Banco de España registers VASPs for AML compliance. MiCA applies from December 2024.
The Marshall Islands passed the Sovereign Currency Act in 2018 to create the SOV, a blockchain-based national digital currency. No income or capital gains tax.
Tax Type
Capital gains
Tax Type
No tax
Tax Rate
19-28%
Tax Rate
0%
Exchanges
Yes
Exchanges
Yes
Mining
Yes
Mining
Yes
Regulator
CNMV (Comisión Nacional del Mercado de Valores), Banco de España
Regulator
Banking Commission of the Marshall Islands
Stablecoin Rules
Regulated under EU MiCA framework
Stablecoin Rules
No specific stablecoin regulation
Key Points
- Crypto gains taxed at savings rates: 19% (first €6,000), 21%, 23%, 27%, 28% (above €300,000)
- Modelo 721: mandatory declaration of overseas crypto holdings exceeding €50,000 (from 2024)
- CNMV requires pre-approval of crypto advertising targeting Spanish residents
- Banco de España maintains VASP registry for AML compliance
- Spain has a large crypto-using population; significant expat and digital nomad community
Key Points
- Sovereign Currency Act (2018) created SOV digital currency
- No income or capital gains tax
- Has been a popular jurisdiction for DAO registration
- Banking Commission provides oversight
- Limited domestic crypto adoption