Italy vs Nicaragua
Crypto regulation comparison
Italy
Nicaragua
Legal
Legal
Cryptocurrency is legal in Italy with a 26% capital gains tax on crypto profits exceeding €2,000 per year. VASPs must register with the OAM (Agents and Mediators Register). Italy was one of the first EU countries to require VASP registration and has aligned with MiCA.
Nicaragua regulates virtual assets under Law 1072 (2021) and BCN resolution CD-BCN-XXV-1-22 (2022). VASPs must be licensed by BCN. Crypto gains taxed at 15% capital gains rate.
Tax Type
Capital gains
Tax Type
Capital gains
Tax Rate
26%
Tax Rate
15%
Exchanges
Yes
Exchanges
Yes
Mining
Yes
Mining
Yes
Regulator
OAM (Organismo Agenti e Mediatori), Consob, Banca d'Italia
Regulator
Banco Central de Nicaragua (BCN)
Stablecoin Rules
Regulated under EU MiCA framework
Stablecoin Rules
No stablecoin regulation
Key Points
- 26% substitute tax on crypto capital gains exceeding €2,000 per year (since 2023 budget law)
- Italian government proposed raising crypto tax to 42% for 2025 but this was reduced back to 26%
- VASPs must register with OAM and comply with AML requirements
- Crypto holdings above €51,645.69 were previously the threshold; new regime simplified this
- MiCA framework applicable from December 2024
Key Points
- Law 1072 (2021) defines virtual assets and regulates VASPs
- BCN is designated as the licensing and supervisory authority
- Banks are legally permitted to offer virtual asset services
- Capital gains taxed at 15% on crypto profits
- Government monitors virtual transactions exceeding ,000 since 2025