United Kingdom vs Tanzania
Crypto regulation comparison
United Kingdom
Tanzania
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').
Tanzania's regulatory stance on crypto is evolving. The Bank of Tanzania warned against crypto in 2019, but the 2024 Finance Act introduced a 3% withholding tax on digital asset transactions — Tanzania's first legal recognition of crypto. A December 2024 High Court ruling held that taxed crypto transactions cannot be deemed unlawful. No comprehensive regulatory framework exists yet.
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
- Bank of Tanzania warned against crypto trading in 2019 public notice
- Finance Act 2024 introduced 3% withholding tax on digital asset transactions
- December 2024 High Court ruled taxed crypto transactions are not unlawful
- An estimated 2.3 million Tanzanians own cryptocurrency
- Bank of Tanzania exploring central bank digital currency (CBDC)
Sources
- HMRC - Cryptoassets Manual
- FCA - Cryptoassets Information
- HMRC - Capital Gains Tax Rates
- HMRC - Cryptoassets Manual: Mining
- FCA - Regulation of Digital Assets Speech
- FCA - Cryptoasset Registration Application
- FCA - Regulating Cryptoasset Activities (DP25/1)
- FCA - Financial Promotion Rules for Cryptoassets (PS23/6)