Malta vs Sweden
Crypto regulation comparison
Malta
Sweden
Legal
Legal
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.
Cryptocurrency is legal and regulated in Sweden. Crypto capital gains are taxed at a flat 30% rate. Finansinspektionen registers VASPs and oversees compliance. Sweden's Riksbank has been a pioneer in CBDC research with its e-krona project. MiCA applies from December 2024.
Tax Type
Capital gains
Tax Type
Capital gains
Tax Rate
0-35%
Tax Rate
30%
Exchanges
Yes
Exchanges
Yes
Mining
Yes
Mining
Yes
Regulator
MFSA (Malta Financial Services Authority)
Regulator
Finansinspektionen (FI)
Stablecoin Rules
Regulated under MFSA VFA framework and EU MiCA
Stablecoin Rules
Regulated under EU MiCA framework
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
Key Points
- Flat 30% tax on crypto capital gains
- Skatteverket (Swedish Tax Agency) actively tracks and taxes crypto; has made bulk data requests to exchanges
- VASPs must register with Finansinspektionen for AML compliance
- Riksbank e-krona CBDC pilot is one of the most advanced in Europe
- MiCA framework applicable from December 2024