Greece vs Hong Kong
Crypto regulation comparison
Greece
Hong Kong
Legal
Legal
Cryptocurrency is legal in Greece and regulated under the EU framework. A 2024 tax reform established a 15% tax on crypto capital gains, replacing the prior uncertain treatment. The Hellenic Capital Market Commission oversees crypto service provider registration.
Hong Kong has positioned itself as a major crypto hub in Asia with a comprehensive licensing regime. The SFC implemented a mandatory licensing framework for virtual asset trading platforms (VATPs) effective June 2023. Hong Kong has no capital gains tax, making it attractive for crypto investors and businesses.
Tax Type
Capital gains
Tax Type
No tax
Tax Rate
15%
Tax Rate
0%
Exchanges
Yes
Exchanges
Yes
Mining
Yes
Mining
Yes
Regulator
HCMC (Hellenic Capital Market Commission), Bank of Greece
Regulator
SFC (Securities and Futures Commission), HKMA
Stablecoin Rules
Regulated under EU MiCA framework
Stablecoin Rules
HKMA developing a licensing regime for stablecoin issuers under a 2024 bill
Key Points
- 15% capital gains tax on crypto established under recent tax reforms
- HCMC registers and supervises crypto service providers
- Greece adopted EU AML directives for crypto businesses
- MiCA framework applicable from December 2024
- Crypto adoption grew during the 2015 financial crisis and capital controls
Key Points
- Mandatory VATP licensing regime under the AMLO effective June 1, 2023
- No capital gains tax in Hong Kong; profits tax applies only to business profits
- SFC approved spot Bitcoin and Ether ETFs for retail investors in April 2024
- HKMA consulting on stablecoin issuer licensing under a dedicated bill
- Hong Kong actively competes with Singapore as Asia's leading crypto hub