Latvia vs Uzbekistan
Crypto regulation comparison
Latvia
Uzbekistan
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.
Uzbekistan has actively regulated crypto since 2018, when it established the NAPM (initially NAPCI) to oversee virtual assets. Licensed crypto exchanges operate in a regulatory sandbox. Individual crypto trading profits are exempt from tax. Uzbekistan has also established a state-backed mining pool and licensing regime for miners, leveraging its energy resources.
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
- NAPM oversees virtual asset regulation and licensing
- Licensed exchanges operate under regulatory framework since 2018
- Individual crypto trading exempt from income tax
- State-backed mining pool and licensing for crypto miners
- Only licensed platforms can offer crypto services; unlicensed platforms blocked