Laos vs Mongolia
Crypto regulation comparison
Laos
Mongolia
Legal
Legal
Laos authorized cryptocurrency mining and trading through a 2021 pilot program (PM Notification No. 1158). Six companies were initially licensed, growing to 15+ by 2023. Mining operations must be 100% Lao-owned and use at least 10MW from Électricité du Laos. Two crypto exchanges (LDX, Bitqik) registered with Bank of Lao PDR.
Mongolia adopted the Law on Virtual Asset Service Providers (VPSP) in December 2021, establishing a comprehensive regulatory framework. The Financial Regulatory Commission (FRC) registers and supervises crypto exchanges. Over 12 licensed exchanges serve 850,000+ customers. Crypto mining is legal and growing, with tax incentives for renewable energy use.
Tax Type
Unclear
Tax Type
Income
Tax Rate
15% on transaction fees
Tax Rate
10-25%
Exchanges
Yes
Exchanges
Yes
Mining
Yes
Mining
Yes
Regulator
Ministry of Technology and Communications, Bank of the Lao PDR
Regulator
Financial Regulatory Commission (FRC) of Mongolia
Stablecoin Rules
No specific stablecoin regulation; pilot covers BTC, ETH, LTC
Stablecoin Rules
No specific stablecoin regulation
Key Points
- PM Notification No. 1158 (2021) authorized pilot crypto mining and trading
- Two licensed exchanges: LDX and Bitqik, registered with Bank of Lao PDR
- Mining leverages surplus hydroelectric power from Électricité du Laos
- Mining must be 100% Lao-owned; trading platforms require 51% Lao ownership
- 15% tax on transaction fees; M security deposit required for exchanges
Key Points
- Law on Virtual Asset Service Providers (VPSP) adopted December 2021
- FRC registers and supervises crypto exchanges under VPSP law
- Over 12 licensed exchanges serving 850,000+ customers
- Crypto exchange income is taxable and exempt from VAT
- Mongolia launched blockchain-based OTC securities trading in 2025