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United Kingdom vs Sri Lanka

Crypto regulation comparison

← Back to map | United Kingdom | Sri Lanka
United Kingdom

United Kingdom

Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka

Legal
Restricted

The UK has an evolving and increasingly comprehensive crypto regulatory framework. The FCA registers crypto firms for AML/CFT compliance and has imposed strict financial promotion rules requiring risk warnings and banning incentives. HMRC treats crypto as property subject to Capital Gains Tax (10% basic rate, 20% higher rate, with £3,000 annual exemption from 2024/25). The Financial Services and Markets Act 2023 brought crypto assets into the UK regulatory perimeter, and HM Treasury is developing rules for a full crypto regime including exchange licensing, stablecoin regulation, and a potential UK CBDC ('Britcoin').

Sri Lanka has no specific cryptocurrency legislation. The CBSL has issued multiple warnings (2018, 2021, 2022, 2023) about crypto risks and has not authorized any entity to operate crypto exchanges, mining, or advisory services. Use of debit/credit cards for crypto is prohibited under the Foreign Exchange Act. The SEC has been discussed as a potential future regulator.

Tax Type Capital gains
Tax Type Unclear
Tax Rate 18-24%
Tax Rate N/A
Exchanges Yes Yes
Exchanges No No
Mining Yes Yes
Mining Yes Yes
Regulator FCA (Financial Conduct Authority), HMRC, Bank of England
Regulator Central Bank of Sri Lanka, Securities and Exchange Commission
Stablecoin Rules Stablecoin regulation under Financial Services and Markets Act 2023; fiat-backed stablecoins to be regulated by FCA
Stablecoin Rules No stablecoin regulation
Key Points
  • FCA AML registration required for all crypto firms operating in the UK
  • Capital Gains Tax: 10% (basic rate) or 20% (higher rate); £3,000 annual exempt amount (2024/25)
  • Financial promotions regime (2023): strict rules on crypto advertising, risk warnings mandatory
  • Financial Services and Markets Act 2023 brings crypto into regulatory perimeter
  • HM Treasury developing comprehensive crypto regulatory regime (exchange licensing, conduct rules)
Key Points
  • CBSL has issued repeated warnings about crypto risks (2018, 2021, 2022, 2023)
  • No entity authorized to operate crypto exchanges, mining, or advisory services
  • Use of debit/credit cards for crypto prohibited under Foreign Exchange Act
  • CBSL requested criminal proceedings against crypto pyramid schemes
  • SEC discussed as potential future regulatory authority for digital assets
Sources
Sources