North Korea vs Uruguay
Crypto regulation comparison
North Korea
Uruguay
Banned
Legal
North Korea does not allow civilian cryptocurrency use. The regime has been accused by the UN and US of using state-sponsored hacking to steal cryptocurrency to fund weapons programs.
Uruguay has a generally favorable stance toward cryptocurrency. The BCU has not banned crypto and in 2024 introduced regulations for virtual asset service providers. Crypto income may be taxed at 12% under the IRPF (personal income tax) as capital income. Uruguay has a stable economy and is positioning itself as a fintech hub in Latin America.
Tax Type
None
Tax Type
Income
Tax Rate
N/A
Tax Rate
12%
Exchanges
No
Exchanges
Yes
Mining
No
Mining
Yes
Regulator
Central Bank of North Korea
Regulator
BCU (Banco Central del Uruguay)
Stablecoin Rules
Not applicable — crypto banned
Stablecoin Rules
No specific stablecoin regulation
Key Points
- No civilian cryptocurrency use permitted
- State-sponsored crypto theft alleged by UN and US
- Lazarus Group linked to major crypto exchange hacks
- International sanctions restrict all financial activities
- Cryptocurrency used by state actors, not civilians
Key Points
- BCU introduced VASP regulations in 2024
- Crypto income taxed at 12% as capital income under IRPF
- Crypto not classified as legal tender; peso remains the national currency
- Uruguay has a relatively stable economy and favorable fintech environment
- AML/KYC requirements apply to registered VASPs
