Greece vs El Salvador
Crypto regulation comparison
Greece
El Salvador
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.
El Salvador made history in September 2021 by becoming the first country to adopt Bitcoin as legal tender through the Bitcoin Law. However, under a January 2025 IMF agreement (Decreto 199), El Salvador amended the law to make Bitcoin acceptance by businesses voluntary rather than mandatory, and repealed several articles. There is no capital gains tax on Bitcoin. The CNAD regulates digital assets.
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
BCR (Banco Central de Reserva), CNAD (Comisión Nacional de Activos Digitales)
Stablecoin Rules
Regulated under EU MiCA framework
Stablecoin Rules
USD is the primary currency; Bitcoin-specific legislation in place
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
- First country to adopt Bitcoin as legal tender in September 2021 via the Bitcoin Law
- Government developed the Chivo wallet for citizens, offering $30 USD in BTC incentive
- January 2025 Decreto 199 made merchant Bitcoin acceptance voluntary (IMF condition)
- No capital gains tax on Bitcoin transactions for individuals
- Government has been accumulating Bitcoin reserves and launched Bitcoin-backed bonds