Lebanon vs Sri Lanka
Crypto regulation comparison
Lebanon
Sri Lanka
Lebanon has no specific cryptocurrency legislation. The Banque du Liban issued a 2014 circular warning financial institutions against dealing with digital currencies, but crypto itself is not banned. Amid the severe economic crisis and banking collapse since 2019, crypto adoption has surged as citizens seek alternatives to the devalued Lebanese pound.
Sri Lanka has no specific cryptocurrency legislation. The CBSL has issued multiple warnings (2018, 2021, 2022, 2023) about crypto risks and has not authorized any entity to operate crypto exchanges, mining, or advisory services. Use of debit/credit cards for crypto is prohibited under the Foreign Exchange Act. The SEC has been discussed as a potential future regulator.
Key Points
- BDL Circular 318 (2014) warned banks against dealing in crypto but did not ban it outright
- No dedicated crypto regulatory framework or licensing regime
- Severe banking crisis and capital controls have driven crypto adoption
- Crypto used as a store of value and remittance channel during economic collapse
- No specific crypto taxation rules in place
Key Points
- CBSL has issued repeated warnings about crypto risks (2018, 2021, 2022, 2023)
- No entity authorized to operate crypto exchanges, mining, or advisory services
- Use of debit/credit cards for crypto prohibited under Foreign Exchange Act
- CBSL requested criminal proceedings against crypto pyramid schemes
- SEC discussed as potential future regulatory authority for digital assets