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Mexico vs El Salvador

Crypto regulation comparison

← Back to map | Mexico | El Salvador
Mexico

Mexico

El Salvador

El Salvador

Legal
Legal

Mexico regulates cryptocurrency under the 2018 Fintech Law (Ley Fintech), one of Latin America's first comprehensive crypto regulatory frameworks. The CNBV licenses fintech institutions including crypto exchanges. However, Banxico has restricted financial institutions from offering crypto services directly to customers. Crypto gains are taxed as income at progressive rates.

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199), El Salvador amended the law to make Bitcoin acceptance by businesses voluntary rather than mandatory, and repealed several articles.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.

Tax Type Capital gains
Tax Type No tax
Tax Rate 1.92-35%
Tax Rate 0%
Exchanges Yes Yes
Exchanges Yes Yes
Mining Yes Yes
Mining Yes Yes
Regulator CNBV, Banxico (Bank of Mexico), SHCP
Regulator BCR (Banco Central de Reserva), CNAD (Comisión Nacional de Activos Digitales)
Stablecoin Rules Virtual assets regulated under Fintech Law; Banxico restricts banks from offering crypto to clients
Stablecoin Rules USD is the primary currency; Bitcoin-specific legislation in place
Key Points
  • Fintech Law (2018) regulates virtual asset operations through licensed ITFs (Fintech Institutions)
  • CNBV (National Banking and Securities Commission) oversees licensing and compliance
  • Banxico issued rules restricting banks from offering crypto to clients directly
  • Crypto gains taxed as 'other income' (otros ingresos) at progressive rates up to 35%
  • Mexico has high crypto adoption driven by remittances and unbanked population
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
Sources
Sources