North Macedonia vs Malta
Crypto regulation comparison
North Macedonia
Malta
Legal
Legal
North Macedonia has no dedicated cryptocurrency legislation. Crypto is not prohibited and operates in a regulatory gray area. The general flat 10% income tax rate may apply to crypto profits. The government is working toward EU MiCA alignment and plans to license crypto exchanges by 2025-2026.
Malta positioned itself as the 'Blockchain Island' with the 2018 Virtual Financial Assets (VFA) Act, one of the world's first comprehensive crypto regulatory frameworks. The MFSA licenses VFA service providers and oversees ICOs. Long-term crypto holdings are generally not subject to capital gains tax for individuals, while trading profits may be taxed as income.
Tax Type
Income
Tax Type
Capital gains
Tax Rate
10%
Tax Rate
0-35%
Exchanges
Yes
Exchanges
Yes
Mining
Yes
Mining
Yes
Regulator
National Bank of the Republic of North Macedonia
Regulator
MFSA (Malta Financial Services Authority)
Stablecoin Rules
No specific stablecoin regulation
Stablecoin Rules
Regulated under MFSA VFA framework and EU MiCA
Key Points
- No dedicated cryptocurrency legislation
- Central bank has acknowledged crypto without banning it
- General flat 10% personal income tax rate may apply to crypto profits
- Government working toward licensing crypto exchanges by 2025-2026
- Working toward EU candidacy and alignment with MiCA regulation
Key Points
- Virtual Financial Assets Act (2018) provides a comprehensive licensing framework
- MFSA licenses VFA exchanges, brokers, custodians, and portfolio managers
- Long-term crypto holdings generally not subject to capital gains tax for individuals
- Day trading profits may be taxed as business income at progressive rates up to 35%
- Transitioning to EU MiCA framework from December 2024