Italy vs Tunisia
Crypto regulation comparison
Italy
Tunisia
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.
Tunisia restricts cryptocurrency activities. The Central Bank of Tunisia has not authorized any crypto exchanges, and foreign exchange regulations effectively prohibit crypto transactions. Tunisia's strict capital controls make legal crypto trading very difficult. Despite restrictions, some Tunisians access crypto via P2P platforms and VPNs.
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
- BCT has not authorized or licensed any crypto exchanges
- Foreign exchange regulations effectively prohibit crypto transactions
- Strict capital controls limit the ability to legally purchase crypto
- No specific crypto legislation — restrictions stem from existing financial laws
- Some informal P2P crypto activity exists despite restrictions