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Laos vs South Africa

Crypto regulation comparison

← Back to map | Laos | South Africa
Laos

Laos

South Africa

South Africa

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.

South Africa has embraced crypto regulation. In 2022, the FSCA declared crypto assets as financial products under the Financial Advisory and Intermediary Services (FAIS) Act, requiring crypto service providers to obtain FSCA licenses. SARS taxes crypto gains under capital gains tax (up to 18% effective rate for individuals) or income tax depending on trading frequency. South Africa is the largest crypto market in Africa.

Tax Type Unclear
Tax Type Capital gains
Tax Rate 15% on transaction fees
Tax Rate 18% (effective max ~18%)
Exchanges Yes Yes
Exchanges Yes Yes
Mining Yes Yes
Mining No No
Regulator Ministry of Technology and Communications, Bank of the Lao PDR
Regulator FSCA (Financial Sector Conduct Authority), SARB (South African Reserve Bank)
Stablecoin Rules No specific stablecoin regulation; pilot covers BTC, ETH, LTC
Stablecoin Rules Crypto assets declared financial products under FAIS; stablecoins included
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
  • Crypto declared a financial product under FAIS Act (2022); service providers must be FSCA-licensed
  • FSCA began licensing crypto asset service providers (CASPs) in 2023
  • Capital gains taxed at effective rate up to 18% (45% max marginal rate × 40% inclusion)
  • Frequent trading may be classified as income and taxed at marginal rates (up to 45%)
  • SARB regulates cross-border crypto transactions under exchange control regulations
Sources
Sources