Finland vs Singapore
Crypto regulation comparison
Finland
Singapore
Cryptocurrency is legal in Finland and well-regulated by the FIN-FSA. Crypto gains are taxed as capital income at 30% (34% for gains exceeding €30,000). Finland is one of few EU countries that has actively enforced tax compliance on crypto through data requests to exchanges.
Singapore is a leading global crypto hub with a comprehensive regulatory framework under the Payment Services Act (PSA) 2019, amended in 2022. MAS licenses Digital Payment Token (DPT) service providers for AML/KYC compliance and consumer protection. Singapore has no capital gains tax, making it attractive for crypto businesses and investors. However, MAS has progressively tightened retail investor protections, restricting crypto advertising and requiring risk warnings. Short term trading gains is considered income and taxed as such.
Key Points
- Crypto capital gains taxed at 30% (34% for gains over €30,000 per year)
- FIN-FSA registers and supervises virtual currency providers under AML law
- Finnish Tax Administration actively sends letters to crypto holders based on exchange data
- Losses on crypto can be deducted from capital gains
- MiCA framework applicable from December 2024
Key Points
- Payment Services Act (PSA) 2019 provides licensing for Digital Payment Token (DPT) services
- MAS issues Major Payment Institution (MPI) and Standard Payment Institution (SPI) licenses for crypto
- No capital gains tax on crypto for individuals; trading profits may be taxed if deemed business income
- MAS introduced stablecoin regulatory framework in August 2023 for SG$-pegged stablecoins
- Strict retail investor protection: crypto advertising restricted, no incentives for trading
Sources
Sources
- MAS - Guidelines on Licensing for DTSPs
- MAS - DPT Services Regulated in Singapore
- IRAS - Income Tax Treatment of Digital Tokens
- MAS - Strengthens Regulatory Measures for DPT
- MAS - Expands Scope of Regulated Payment Services
- MAS - Measures to Reduce Risks from Crypto Trading
- MAS - Regulatory Regime for Digital Token Service Providers