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Laos vs El Salvador

Crypto regulation comparison

← Back to map | Laos | El Salvador
Laos

Laos

El Salvador

El Salvador

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.

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199), El Salvador amended the law to make Bitcoin acceptance by businesses voluntary rather than mandatory, and repealed several articles.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 Unclear
Tax Type No tax
Tax Rate 15% on transaction fees
Tax Rate 0%
Exchanges Yes Yes
Exchanges Yes Yes
Mining Yes Yes
Mining Yes Yes
Regulator Ministry of Technology and Communications, Bank of the Lao PDR
Regulator BCR (Banco Central de Reserva), CNAD (Comisión Nacional de Activos Digitales)
Stablecoin Rules No specific stablecoin regulation; pilot covers BTC, ETH, LTC
Stablecoin Rules USD is the primary currency; Bitcoin-specific legislation in place
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
  • 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
Sources
Sources