Kuwait vs Rwanda
Crypto regulation comparison
Kuwait
Rwanda
Restricted
Restricted
Kuwait has taken a restrictive approach to cryptocurrency. The Central Bank of Kuwait and the Capital Markets Authority have prohibited banks and financial institutions from processing crypto transactions. There is no licensing framework for crypto exchanges. However, owning crypto is not explicitly illegal, and there is no personal income tax in Kuwait, so no crypto-specific tax applies.
Rwanda is developing a comprehensive crypto regulatory framework. The NBR and Capital Markets Authority are drafting a law requiring VASPs to obtain CMA licenses. The draft law prohibits crypto as legal tender, bans mining and crypto ATMs, and imposes fines up to 30M RWF and imprisonment for unlicensed operators.
Tax Type
None
Tax Type
None
Tax Rate
0%
Tax Rate
N/A
Exchanges
No
Exchanges
No
Mining
Yes
Mining
No
Regulator
CBK (Central Bank of Kuwait), CMA
Regulator
National Bank of Rwanda (NBR), Capital Markets Authority (CMA)
Stablecoin Rules
No specific stablecoin regulation
Stablecoin Rules
Draft law prohibits crypto as payment; mining and crypto ATMs banned
Key Points
- CBK prohibits banks and financial institutions from dealing in virtual currencies
- No licensing framework exists for crypto exchanges or VASPs
- Personal ownership of crypto is not explicitly criminalized
- No personal income or capital gains tax in Kuwait applies to crypto
- CMA has warned investors about the risks of cryptocurrency
Key Points
- Draft law requires VASPs to obtain licenses from Capital Markets Authority
- Crypto prohibited as legal tender or payment method under draft law
- Crypto mining, crypto ATMs, and mixer/tumbler services banned
- Penalties include fines up to 30M RWF and up to 5 years imprisonment
- Framework driven by FATF compliance on AML requirements