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South Korea vs Uganda

Crypto regulation comparison

← Back to map | South Korea | Uganda
South Korea

South Korea

Uganda

Uganda

Legal
Restricted

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.

Uganda restricts cryptocurrency. The Bank of Uganda issued a 2022 circular (NPSD 306) barring licensed payment service providers from facilitating crypto transactions. A 2023 High Court ruling upheld the circular, declaring cryptocurrencies illegal under the National Payment Systems Act 2020. No crypto exchanges are licensed to operate. Informal P2P crypto activity exists despite restrictions.

Tax Type Varies
Tax Type None
Tax Rate 20%
Tax Rate N/A
Exchanges Yes Yes
Exchanges No No
Mining Yes Yes
Mining Yes Yes
Regulator FSC (Financial Services Commission), FSS, FIU (Korea Financial Intelligence Unit)
Regulator BOU (Bank of Uganda), CMA Uganda
Stablecoin Rules Under development; stablecoins subject to VASP rules
Stablecoin Rules No regulation
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
  • BOU Circular NPSD 306 (April 2022) bars licensed entities from facilitating crypto
  • 2023 High Court ruled cryptocurrencies illegal under National Payment Systems Act 2020
  • Growing crypto adoption, particularly for cross-border transactions
  • No specific crypto taxation rules
  • Financial Intelligence Authority requires VASPs to comply with AML laws
Sources
Sources