Cambodia vs Saudi Arabia
Crypto regulation comparison
Cambodia
Saudi Arabia
Cambodia has a restrictive stance on cryptocurrency. The National Bank of Cambodia prohibits banks and financial institutions from dealing in crypto, and unlicensed crypto businesses are illegal. However, the government has shown interest in blockchain technology and launched Bakong, a CBDC-like payment system.
Saudi Arabia has an ambiguous but generally restrictive approach to cryptocurrency. SAMA has not licensed any crypto exchanges, and financial institutions are warned against dealing in crypto. However, crypto is not explicitly banned by law, and Saudi Arabia has participated in blockchain initiatives (Project Aber with the UAE central bank). No personal income or capital gains tax exists in Saudi Arabia.
Key Points
- NBC issued a 2018 directive prohibiting banks from dealing in cryptocurrency
- Unlicensed crypto exchanges and trading platforms are banned
- Bakong digital payment system launched in 2020 using blockchain technology
- SERC (Securities and Exchange Regulator) has discussed regulating crypto as digital assets
- Despite restrictions, peer-to-peer crypto usage remains significant
Key Points
- SAMA has not authorized or licensed any cryptocurrency exchanges
- Financial institutions warned against crypto transactions
- Crypto not explicitly banned but not regulated; exists in a legal gray area
- No personal income or capital gains tax in Saudi Arabia
- Saudi Arabia participated in CBDC experiments (Project Aber with UAE)