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Kazakhstan vs El Salvador

Crypto regulation comparison

Kazakhstan

Kazakhstan

El Salvador

El Salvador

Legal
Legal

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.

El Salvador made history in September 2021 by becoming the first country to adopt Bitcoin as legal tender through the Bitcoin Law. However, under a January 2025 IMF agreement (Decreto 199), El Salvador amended the law to make Bitcoin acceptance by businesses voluntary rather than mandatory, and repealed several articles. There is no capital gains tax on Bitcoin. The CNAD regulates digital assets.

Tax Type Capital gains
Tax Type No tax
Tax Rate 10%
Tax Rate 0%
Exchanges Yes Yes
Exchanges Yes Yes
Mining Yes Yes
Mining Yes Yes
Regulator AFSA (Astana Financial Services Authority), NBK (National Bank of Kazakhstan)
Regulator BCR (Banco Central de Reserva), CNAD (Comisión Nacional de Activos Digitales)
Stablecoin Rules AIFC (Astana International Financial Centre) has its own framework for digital assets including stablecoins
Stablecoin Rules USD is the primary currency; Bitcoin-specific legislation in place
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
  • First country to adopt Bitcoin as legal tender in September 2021 via the Bitcoin Law
  • Government developed the Chivo wallet for citizens, offering $30 USD in BTC incentive
  • January 2025 Decreto 199 made merchant Bitcoin acceptance voluntary (IMF condition)
  • No capital gains tax on Bitcoin transactions for individuals
  • Government has been accumulating Bitcoin reserves and launched Bitcoin-backed bonds