Sri Lanka vs Tanzania
Crypto regulation comparison
Sri Lanka
Tanzania
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.
Tanzania's regulatory stance on crypto is evolving. The Bank of Tanzania warned against crypto in 2019, but the 2024 Finance Act introduced a 3% withholding tax on digital asset transactions — Tanzania's first legal recognition of crypto. A December 2024 High Court ruling held that taxed crypto transactions cannot be deemed unlawful. No comprehensive regulatory framework exists yet.
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
Key Points
- Bank of Tanzania warned against crypto trading in 2019 public notice
- Finance Act 2024 introduced 3% withholding tax on digital asset transactions
- December 2024 High Court ruled taxed crypto transactions are not unlawful
- An estimated 2.3 million Tanzanians own cryptocurrency
- Bank of Tanzania exploring central bank digital currency (CBDC)