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Laos vs Saudi Arabia

Crypto regulation comparison

← Back to map | Laos | Saudi Arabia
Laos

Laos

Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia

Legal
Restricted

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.

Saudi Arabia has an ambiguous but generally restrictive approach to cryptocurrency. SAMA has not licensed any crypto exchanges, and financial institutions are warned against dealing in crypto. However, crypto is not explicitly banned by law, and Saudi Arabia has participated in blockchain initiatives (Project Aber with the UAE central bank). No personal income or capital gains tax exists in Saudi Arabia.

Tax Type Unclear
Tax Type None
Tax Rate 15% on transaction fees
Tax Rate 0%
Exchanges Yes Yes
Exchanges No No
Mining Yes Yes
Mining Yes Yes
Regulator Ministry of Technology and Communications, Bank of the Lao PDR
Regulator SAMA (Saudi Arabian Monetary Authority), CMA Saudi Arabia
Stablecoin Rules No specific stablecoin regulation; pilot covers BTC, ETH, LTC
Stablecoin Rules No regulation; crypto trading not authorized
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
  • SAMA has not authorized or licensed any cryptocurrency exchanges
  • Financial institutions warned against crypto transactions
  • Crypto not explicitly banned but not regulated; exists in a legal gray area
  • No personal income or capital gains tax in Saudi Arabia
  • Saudi Arabia participated in CBDC experiments (Project Aber with UAE)
Sources
Sources