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United Kingdom vs Qatar

Crypto regulation comparison

United Kingdom

United Kingdom

Qatar

Qatar

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').

Qatar has a restrictive stance on cryptocurrency. The Qatar Central Bank banned crypto trading and services in 2018, and the QFC Regulatory Authority (QFCRA) prohibits virtual asset services within the Qatar Financial Centre. However, Qatar has shown interest in blockchain technology for non-crypto applications and is exploring a potential CBDC. The Qatar Financial Centre issued a Digital Assets Framework in 2024 focused on tokenized real-world assets, not cryptocurrencies.

Tax Type Capital gains
Tax Type None
Tax Rate 18-24%
Tax Rate 0%
Exchanges Yes Yes
Exchanges No No
Mining Yes Yes
Mining No No
Regulator FCA (Financial Conduct Authority), HMRC, Bank of England
Regulator QCB (Qatar Central Bank), QFCRA
Stablecoin Rules Stablecoin regulation under Financial Services and Markets Act 2023; fiat-backed stablecoins to be regulated by FCA
Stablecoin Rules Not permitted under current QCB regulations
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
  • QFCRA prohibited authorized firms from providing virtual asset services (2019 alert, reaffirmed 2024)
  • QFCRA prohibits virtual asset services within the Qatar Financial Centre
  • QFC introduced a 2024 Digital Assets Framework for tokenized securities (not crypto)
  • No personal income or capital gains tax in Qatar (but crypto trading is banned)
  • Qatar exploring blockchain and CBDC applications separate from crypto