Iceland vs Rwanda
Crypto regulation comparison
Iceland
Rwanda
Legal
Restricted
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.
Rwanda is developing a comprehensive crypto regulatory framework. The NBR and Capital Markets Authority are drafting a law requiring VASPs to obtain CMA licenses. The draft law prohibits crypto as legal tender, bans mining and crypto ATMs, and imposes fines up to 30M RWF and imprisonment for unlicensed operators.
Tax Type
Capital gains
Tax Type
None
Tax Rate
22%
Tax Rate
N/A
Exchanges
Yes
Exchanges
No
Mining
Yes
Mining
No
Regulator
FME (Fjármálaeftirlitið / Financial Supervisory Authority), Central Bank of Iceland
Regulator
National Bank of Rwanda (NBR), Capital Markets Authority (CMA)
Stablecoin Rules
No specific stablecoin regulation; follows EEA guidelines
Stablecoin Rules
Draft law prohibits crypto as payment; mining and crypto ATMs banned
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
- Draft law requires VASPs to obtain licenses from Capital Markets Authority
- Crypto prohibited as legal tender or payment method under draft law
- Crypto mining, crypto ATMs, and mixer/tumbler services banned
- Penalties include fines up to 30M RWF and up to 5 years imprisonment
- Framework driven by FATF compliance on AML requirements