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Sri Lanka vs South Africa

Crypto regulation comparison

← Back to map | Sri Lanka | South Africa
Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka

South Africa

South Africa

Restricted
Legal

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.

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 N/A
Tax Rate 18% (effective max ~18%)
Exchanges No No
Exchanges Yes Yes
Mining Yes Yes
Mining No No
Regulator Central Bank of Sri Lanka, Securities and Exchange Commission
Regulator FSCA (Financial Sector Conduct Authority), SARB (South African Reserve Bank)
Stablecoin Rules No stablecoin regulation
Stablecoin Rules Crypto assets declared financial products under FAIS; stablecoins included
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
  • 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