Croatia vs El Salvador
Crypto regulation comparison
Croatia
El Salvador
Legal
Legal
Cryptocurrency is legal in Croatia and regulated under the EU's MiCA framework since Croatia joined the eurozone in January 2023. Crypto capital gains are taxed at 10-12% depending on the holding period. HANFA oversees crypto service providers.
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199), El Salvador amended the law to make Bitcoin acceptance by businesses voluntary rather than mandatory, and repealed several articles.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
12%
Tax Rate
0%
Exchanges
Yes
Exchanges
Yes
Mining
Yes
Mining
Yes
Regulator
HANFA (Croatian Financial Services Supervisory Agency)
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
- Capital gains on crypto taxed at 12% flat rate
- Gains on crypto held over 2 years are tax-exempt
- HANFA regulates VASPs under Croatian and EU law
- MiCA framework fully applicable from 30 December 2024
- Croatia joined the eurozone in January 2023, aligning financial regulation with EU standards
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