Israel vs Tonga
Crypto regulation comparison
Israel
Tonga
Cryptocurrency is legal in Israel and treated as a taxable asset. The Israel Tax Authority classifies crypto as property, subject to 25% capital gains tax (or up to 50% for significant shareholders or high earners). Israel has a vibrant blockchain ecosystem with many startups and R&D centers.
Tonga has no specific cryptocurrency regulation. There has been legislative interest in adopting Bitcoin as legal tender but no legislation has been enacted.
Key Points
- Capital gains tax of 25% on crypto profits (up to 50% including surtax for high earners)
- Israel Tax Authority classifies cryptocurrency as property, not currency
- ISA is developing a regulatory framework for digital asset trading platforms
- AML/KYC requirements apply to crypto service providers under CTMFA supervision
- Israel has one of the highest densities of blockchain startups globally
Key Points
- No specific cryptocurrency legislation
- Legislative interest in Bitcoin legal tender discussed
- National Reserve Bank provides monetary oversight
- Limited crypto infrastructure
- No licensing framework for crypto services