Latvia vs Palau
Crypto regulation comparison
Latvia
Palau
Legal
Legal
Cryptocurrency is legal in Latvia and regulated under the EU MiCA framework. Since 2023, the financial regulator FKTK merged into Latvijas Banka, which now oversees VASP registration and AML compliance. Capital gains from crypto are taxed at 20%. Latvia has been proactive in implementing EU-wide crypto standards.
Palau has explored blockchain technology and launched a stablecoin program in partnership with Ripple. No income or capital gains tax.
Tax Type
Capital gains
Tax Type
No tax
Tax Rate
20%
Tax Rate
0%
Exchanges
Yes
Exchanges
Yes
Mining
Yes
Mining
Yes
Regulator
FKTK (Finanšu un kapitāla tirgus komisija) / Latvijas Banka
Regulator
Financial Institutions Commission
Stablecoin Rules
Regulated under EU MiCA framework
Stablecoin Rules
No specific stablecoin regulation
Key Points
- VASPs must register with Latvijas Banka and comply with AML/CFT requirements
- Capital gains from crypto taxed at 20% personal income tax rate
- MiCA framework applies from December 2024, transitioning existing registrations
- Latvia transposed the 5th Anti-Money Laundering Directive for crypto oversight
- Latvijas Banka absorbed FKTK regulatory functions in January 2023
Key Points
- Exploring national stablecoin in partnership with Ripple
- No income or capital gains tax
- Uses the US dollar as official currency
- Small but forward-looking approach to digital assets
- Limited domestic crypto infrastructure