Moldova vs El Salvador
Crypto regulation comparison
Moldova
El Salvador
Moldova currently has no specific cryptocurrency legislation. The National Bank warns that virtual currencies are unregulated and user funds are not protected. Ownership and trading are legal but use as payment is prohibited. Moldova plans to introduce its first crypto law by 2026, aligned with EU MiCA regulation, including a 12% tax on crypto profits.
El Salvador made history in September 2021 by becoming the first country to adopt Bitcoin as legal tender through the Bitcoin Law. However, under a January 2025 IMF agreement (Decreto 199), El Salvador amended the law to make Bitcoin acceptance by businesses voluntary rather than mandatory, and repealed several articles. There is no capital gains tax on Bitcoin. The CNAD regulates digital assets.
Key Points
- Virtual currencies not regulated; user funds not protected per NBM warning
- Ownership and trading legal; use as payment prohibited
- First crypto law planned by 2026, aligned with EU MiCA regulation
- Planned 12% tax on crypto transaction profits
- Law being drafted jointly by Finance Ministry, NBM, and AML authority
Key Points
- First country to adopt Bitcoin as legal tender in September 2021 via the Bitcoin Law
- Government developed the Chivo wallet for citizens, offering $30 USD in BTC incentive
- January 2025 Decreto 199 made merchant Bitcoin acceptance voluntary (IMF condition)
- No capital gains tax on Bitcoin transactions for individuals
- Government has been accumulating Bitcoin reserves and launched Bitcoin-backed bonds