Iran vs Iceland
Crypto regulation comparison
Iran
Iceland
Restricted
Legal
Iran has a complex stance on cryptocurrency. Crypto mining is legal and licensed by the Ministry of Industry, but using crypto for domestic payments is banned by the CBI. The government has explored using crypto for international trade to circumvent sanctions. Mining operations are periodically shut down during energy shortages.
Cryptocurrency is legal in Iceland and subject to a 22% capital gains tax. Iceland is a major crypto mining destination due to abundant geothermal and hydroelectric energy. As an EEA member, Iceland follows EU financial regulations including MiCA through EEA incorporation.
Tax Type
Unclear
Tax Type
Capital gains
Tax Rate
N/A
Tax Rate
22%
Exchanges
No
Exchanges
Yes
Mining
Yes
Mining
Yes
Regulator
CBI (Central Bank of Iran), Ministry of Industry
Regulator
FME (Fjármálaeftirlitið / Financial Supervisory Authority), Central Bank of Iceland
Stablecoin Rules
Not applicable; crypto payments and trading domestically restricted
Stablecoin Rules
No specific stablecoin regulation; follows EEA guidelines
Key Points
- Crypto mining is legal and licensed by the Ministry of Industry, Mine and Trade
- CBI bans using crypto as a domestic payment method
- Licensed miners must sell mined crypto to the CBI or authorized exporters
- Government has explored crypto for sanctions evasion in international trade
- Mining farms periodically shut down during summer/winter energy demand peaks
Key Points
- 22% capital gains tax on crypto profits
- Iceland is one of the world's largest crypto mining locations due to cheap renewable energy
- FME supervises crypto businesses under AML/KYC regulations
- As an EEA member, Iceland incorporates EU financial regulations including MiCA
- Capital controls (imposed 2008-2017) originally complicated crypto usage but have been lifted