Jamaica vs Kazakhstan
Crypto regulation comparison
Jamaica
Kazakhstan
No Regulation
Legal
Jamaica has no specific cryptocurrency legislation. The Bank of Jamaica does not regulate or endorse crypto but has not banned it. Jamaica launched its own CBDC, JAM-DEX, in 2022 through the National Commercial Bank. Crypto exists in a legal gray area with no dedicated framework.
Kazakhstan has a dual approach to crypto regulation. The Astana International Financial Centre (AIFC) operates as a regulated sandbox where licensed crypto exchanges can operate under AFSA supervision. Outside the AIFC, crypto regulation is more restrictive. Kazakhstan became a major mining hub after China's ban but has since tightened mining regulations.
Tax Type
Unclear
Tax Type
Capital gains
Tax Rate
N/A
Tax Rate
10%
Exchanges
Yes
Exchanges
Yes
Mining
Yes
Mining
Yes
Regulator
BOJ (Bank of Jamaica), FSC
Regulator
AFSA (Astana Financial Services Authority), NBK (National Bank of Kazakhstan)
Stablecoin Rules
BOJ launched JAM-DEX CBDC; no private stablecoin regulation
Stablecoin Rules
AIFC (Astana International Financial Centre) has its own framework for digital assets including stablecoins
Key Points
- No specific cryptocurrency legislation or regulatory framework
- BOJ does not recognize crypto as legal tender but has not banned it
- Jamaica launched the JAM-DEX CBDC in 2022
- FSC Jamaica has not issued specific guidance on crypto asset regulation
- Tax treatment of crypto gains is unclear due to lack of specific guidance
Key Points
- AIFC provides a regulatory sandbox for licensed crypto exchanges and businesses
- Mining is legal and licensed, with a specific tax on electricity consumption for miners
- Kazakhstan became the world's second-largest Bitcoin mining country after China's 2021 ban
- 2022 mining crackdown introduced stricter licensing and energy consumption taxes
- Outside AIFC, domestic crypto payments and exchanges face greater restrictions