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Iceland vs South Africa

Crypto regulation comparison

← Back to map | Iceland | South Africa
Iceland

Iceland

South Africa

South Africa

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.

South Africa has embraced crypto regulation. In 2022, the FSCA declared crypto assets as financial products under the Financial Advisory and Intermediary Services (FAIS) Act, requiring crypto service providers to obtain FSCA licenses. SARS taxes crypto gains under capital gains tax (up to 18% effective rate for individuals) or income tax depending on trading frequency. South Africa is the largest crypto market in Africa.

Tax Type Capital gains
Tax Type Capital gains
Tax Rate 22%
Tax Rate 18% (effective max ~18%)
Exchanges Yes Yes
Exchanges Yes Yes
Mining Yes Yes
Mining No No
Regulator FME (Fjármálaeftirlitið / Financial Supervisory Authority), Central Bank of Iceland
Regulator FSCA (Financial Sector Conduct Authority), SARB (South African Reserve Bank)
Stablecoin Rules No specific stablecoin regulation; follows EEA guidelines
Stablecoin Rules Crypto assets declared financial products under FAIS; stablecoins included
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
  • Crypto declared a financial product under FAIS Act (2022); service providers must be FSCA-licensed
  • FSCA began licensing crypto asset service providers (CASPs) in 2023
  • Capital gains taxed at effective rate up to 18% (45% max marginal rate × 40% inclusion)
  • Frequent trading may be classified as income and taxed at marginal rates (up to 45%)
  • SARB regulates cross-border crypto transactions under exchange control regulations
Sources
Sources