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South Korea vs Nigeria

Crypto regulation comparison

← Back to map | South Korea | Nigeria
South Korea

South Korea

Nigeria

Nigeria

Legal
Legal

South Korea is one of the world's largest crypto markets. The Virtual Asset Users Protection Act (VAUPA), effective July 2024, provides comprehensive investor protection including requirements for exchanges to hold user assets in cold storage and carry insurance. All VASPs must register with FIU and comply with strict AML rules under the Specific Financial Information Act. A 20% crypto gains tax (above KRW 2.5 million exemption, raised from the original 250K KRW threshold) has been deferred multiple times and is now scheduled for January 2027.

Nigeria has the highest crypto adoption rate in Africa and among the highest globally. After the CBN banned banks from servicing crypto exchanges in 2021 (driving activity to P2P), the ban was lifted in December 2023. The SEC Nigeria now regulates digital asset exchanges and issuances under its Accelerated Regulatory Incubation Programme (ARIP). Nigeria's progressive rates up to 25% applies to crypto disposals.

Tax Type Varies
Tax Type Capital gains
Tax Rate 20%
Tax Rate Progressive: up to 25% (individuals) / 30% (companies)
Exchanges Yes Yes
Exchanges Yes Yes
Mining Yes Yes
Mining Yes Yes
Regulator FSC (Financial Services Commission), FSS, FIU (Korea Financial Intelligence Unit)
Regulator SEC Nigeria, CBN (Central Bank of Nigeria)
Stablecoin Rules Under development; stablecoins subject to VASP rules
Stablecoin Rules Stablecoins subject to SEC digital asset rules
Key Points
  • Virtual Asset Users Protection Act (VAUPA) effective July 2024 — major investor protection law
  • VASPs must register with FIU and partner with real-name verified bank accounts
  • 20% national tax (22% effective incl. 2% local income surtax) above KRW 2.5M annual exemption (deferred to January 2027)
  • Exchanges must hold 80%+ of user assets in cold wallets and carry insurance/reserves
  • Only won-denominated trading pairs allowed on major exchanges (Upbit, Bithumb, Coinone, Korbit)
Key Points
  • CBN lifted the 2021 banking ban on crypto in December 2023
  • SEC Nigeria oversees VASPs under the Investments and Securities Act and ARIP
  • Progressive rates up to 25% applies to profits from crypto asset disposals according to Nigeria Tax Act 2025 (eff. Jan 2026)
  • Nigeria ranks among the top 5 globally for crypto adoption (Chainalysis index)
  • P2P trading dominates the market; Binance and other platforms face regulatory scrutiny
Sources
Sources