Kazakhstan vs Moldova
Crypto regulation comparison
Kazakhstan
Moldova
Legal
No Regulation
Kazakhstan has a dual approach to crypto regulation. The Astana International Financial Centre (AIFC) operates as a regulated sandbox where licensed crypto exchanges can operate under AFSA supervision. Outside the AIFC, crypto regulation is more restrictive. Kazakhstan became a major mining hub after China's ban but has since tightened mining regulations.
Moldova currently has no specific cryptocurrency legislation. The National Bank warns that virtual currencies are unregulated and user funds are not protected. Ownership and trading are legal but use as payment is prohibited. Moldova plans to introduce its first crypto law by 2026, aligned with EU MiCA regulation, including a 12% tax on crypto profits.
Tax Type
Capital gains
Tax Type
Income
Tax Rate
10%
Tax Rate
12% (planned)
Exchanges
Yes
Exchanges
Yes
Mining
Yes
Mining
Yes
Regulator
AFSA (Astana Financial Services Authority), NBK (National Bank of Kazakhstan)
Regulator
National Bank of Moldova
Stablecoin Rules
AIFC (Astana International Financial Centre) has its own framework for digital assets including stablecoins
Stablecoin Rules
No stablecoin regulation
Key Points
- AIFC provides a regulatory sandbox for licensed crypto exchanges and businesses
- Mining is legal and licensed, with a specific tax on electricity consumption for miners
- Kazakhstan became the world's second-largest Bitcoin mining country after China's 2021 ban
- 2022 mining crackdown introduced stricter licensing and energy consumption taxes
- Outside AIFC, domestic crypto payments and exchanges face greater restrictions
Key Points
- Virtual currencies not regulated; user funds not protected per NBM warning
- Ownership and trading legal; use as payment prohibited
- First crypto law planned by 2026, aligned with EU MiCA regulation
- Planned 12% tax on crypto transaction profits
- Law being drafted jointly by Finance Ministry, NBM, and AML authority
