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Iceland vs Netherlands

Crypto regulation comparison

Iceland

Iceland

Netherlands

Netherlands

Legal
Legal

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.

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.

Tax Type Capital gains
Tax Type Wealth
Tax Rate 22%
Tax Rate ~1.2-1.6% (deemed return)
Exchanges Yes Yes
Exchanges Yes Yes
Mining Yes Yes
Mining Yes Yes
Regulator FME (Fjármálaeftirlitið / Financial Supervisory Authority), Central Bank of Iceland
Regulator DNB (De Nederlandsche Bank), AFM (Autoriteit Financiële Markten)
Stablecoin Rules No specific stablecoin regulation; follows EEA guidelines
Stablecoin Rules Regulated under EU MiCA framework; DNB oversight
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
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  • Only a limited number of VASPs have obtained DNB registration (many rejected or withdrawn)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