Honduras vs Netherlands
Crypto regulation comparison
Honduras
Netherlands
Honduras has no specific cryptocurrency legislation. The Central Bank and CNBS have issued warnings about crypto risks but have not banned it. The Special Economic Zone of Prospera on Roatán island adopted Bitcoin as legal tender in its jurisdiction, though this is a unique local arrangement.
The Netherlands has one of Europe's strictest crypto regulatory regimes. DNB has overseen VASP registration since 2020 under the Dutch AML/CFT Act (Wwft), and many applications have been rejected. The Netherlands does not tax realized capital gains directly; instead, crypto holdings are taxed under the Box 3 wealth tax based on a deemed return on net assets. The AFM oversees market conduct. MiCA is now the governing framework.
Key Points
- No national cryptocurrency legislation exists
- BCH and CNBS issued warnings about risks but no formal ban
- Prospera (ZEDE on Roatán) recognized Bitcoin as legal tender locally
- Crypto use exists primarily through peer-to-peer channels
- No specific tax guidance for cryptocurrency gains
Key Points
- DNB requires VASP registration under the Wwft (AML Act); rigorous approval process
- Only a limited number of VASPs have obtained DNB registration (many rejected or withdrawn)
- Crypto taxed under Box 3 wealth tax: deemed return on net assets taxed at ~31-36% (effective ~1.2-1.6%)
- AFM regulates crypto advertising and market conduct; banned crypto ads targeting retail in 2022
- MiCA framework applicable from December 2024, transitioning from national DNB regime