Laos vs Senegal
Crypto regulation comparison
Laos
Senegal
Legal
No Regulation
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.
Senegal has no specific national cryptocurrency legislation. As a WAEMU member, the BCEAO does not recognize crypto as legal tender and has issued warnings about risks. Crypto is not illegal but operates without legal protection. BCEAO tightened foreign exchange controls in 2024, and fintech firms now require licenses under BCEAO Instruction 001-01-2024.
Tax Type
Unclear
Tax Type
None
Tax Rate
15% on transaction fees
Tax Rate
N/A
Exchanges
Yes
Exchanges
Yes
Mining
Yes
Mining
Yes
Regulator
Ministry of Technology and Communications, Bank of the Lao PDR
Regulator
BCEAO (Central Bank of West African States)
Stablecoin Rules
No specific stablecoin regulation; pilot covers BTC, ETH, LTC
Stablecoin Rules
No 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
- No specific national cryptocurrency legislation
- Crypto not illegal but BCEAO has issued warnings about risks
- Part of the WAEMU monetary zone using the CFA franc
- BCEAO tightened foreign exchange controls and AML requirements in 2024
- Fintech firms now require BCEAO licenses under Instruction 001-01-2024