Lebanon vs Serbia
Crypto regulation comparison
Lebanon
Serbia
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.
Serbia's Law on Digital Assets, enacted in December 2020 and effective June 2021, created one of the first comprehensive crypto regulatory frameworks in the Western Balkans. The NBS oversees virtual currencies while the Securities Commission handles digital tokens. Service providers must obtain licenses and comply with AML/KYC requirements. Capital gains taxed at 15%.
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
- Law on Digital Assets enacted December 2020, effective June 2021
- NBS regulates virtual currencies; Securities Commission regulates digital tokens
- Capital gains on crypto taxed at 15%
- Service providers must obtain licenses and maintain physical offices in Serbia
- Transfer/conversion of digital assets exempt from VAT