Japan vs Lebanon
Crypto regulation comparison
Japan
Lebanon
Japan is one of the world's most comprehensively regulated crypto markets. The Payment Services Act and Financial Instruments and Exchange Act govern crypto exchanges and tokens. Japan classifies crypto as "crypto-assets" and taxes gains as miscellaneous income at rates up to 55%, though reforms to lower this rate are under active discussion.
Lebanon has no specific cryptocurrency legislation. The Banque du Liban issued a 2014 circular warning financial institutions against dealing with digital currencies, but crypto itself is not banned. Amid the severe economic crisis and banking collapse since 2019, crypto adoption has surged as citizens seek alternatives to the devalued Lebanese pound.
Key Points
- Crypto exchanges must register with the FSA under the Payment Services Act
- Crypto gains taxed as miscellaneous income at up to 55% (national + local tax)
- Japan's self-regulatory body JVCEA sets industry standards for exchanges
- 2022 stablecoin legislation (revised Payment Services Act) regulates stablecoin issuance
- Government considering tax reform to apply a flat 20% separate taxation on crypto gains
Key Points
- BDL Circular 318 (2014) warned banks against dealing in crypto but did not ban it outright
- No dedicated crypto regulatory framework or licensing regime
- Severe banking crisis and capital controls have driven crypto adoption
- Crypto used as a store of value and remittance channel during economic collapse
- No specific crypto taxation rules in place
Sources
- NTA - Crypto Assets Tax Pamphlet
- FSA - Registered Crypto-Asset Exchanges
- FSA - Regulating Crypto Assets in Japan
- NTA - Tax Answer No. 1524 (暗号資産)
- NTA - Income Tax Guide 2025 (English PDF)
- Japanese Law Translation - Payment Services Act
- FSA - Discussion Paper on Cryptoasset Regulatory Systems
- FSA - Registered Electronic Payment Instrument Exchanges