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XRP $1.35 (-2.30%)
BNB $591.14 (-3.41%)
SOL $78.08 (-6.18%)
TRX $0.28 (-3.17%)
DOGE $0.09 (-2.23%)
BCH $497.37 (-12.64%)
ADA $0.26 (-3.15%)
LEO $8.09 (-1.28%)
HYPE $26.37 (-8.70%)
CC $0.16 (-0.72%)
LINK $8.23 (-4.63%)
XMR $306.35 (-4.92%)
XLM $0.15 (-3.05%)
RAIN $0.01 (-3.15%)
HBAR $0.09 (-3.34%)
ZEC $237.44 (-2.19%)
LTC $51.14 (-3.91%)
AVAX $8.30 (-5.83%)

Malaysia vs South Africa

Crypto regulation comparison

← Back to map | Malaysia | South Africa
Malaysia

Malaysia

South Africa

South Africa

Legal
Legal

Cryptocurrency is legal and regulated in Malaysia. The Securities Commission oversees digital asset exchanges (DAX) and initial exchange offerings under the Capital Markets and Services (Prescription of Securities) Order 2019. Only SC-approved exchanges can operate. Malaysia does not impose capital gains tax on crypto for individuals, though frequent trading may be classified as business income.

South Africa has embraced crypto regulation. In 2022, the FSCA declared crypto assets as financial products under the Financial Advisory and Intermediary Services (FAIS) Act, requiring crypto service providers to obtain FSCA licenses. SARS taxes crypto gains under capital gains tax (up to 18% effective rate for individuals) or income tax depending on trading frequency. South Africa is the largest crypto market in Africa.

Tax Type None
Tax Type Capital gains
Tax Rate 0%
Tax Rate 18% (effective max ~18%)
Exchanges Yes Yes
Exchanges Yes Yes
Mining Yes Yes
Mining No No
Regulator SC (Securities Commission Malaysia), BNM (Bank Negara Malaysia)
Regulator FSCA (Financial Sector Conduct Authority), SARB (South African Reserve Bank)
Stablecoin Rules Digital assets on approved exchanges only; stablecoins not separately regulated
Stablecoin Rules Crypto assets declared financial products under FAIS; stablecoins included
Key Points
  • Digital asset exchanges must be registered and approved by the Securities Commission
  • Only approved tokens can be listed on registered exchanges (e.g., BTC, ETH, XRP on approved list)
  • No capital gains tax for individuals; frequent trading may be treated as business income
  • BNM regulates crypto for AML/CFT purposes under the Anti-Money Laundering Act
  • IEOs must be conducted through SC-approved platforms
Key Points
  • Crypto declared a financial product under FAIS Act (2022); service providers must be FSCA-licensed
  • FSCA began licensing crypto asset service providers (CASPs) in 2023
  • Capital gains taxed at effective rate up to 18% (45% max marginal rate × 40% inclusion)
  • Frequent trading may be classified as income and taxed at marginal rates (up to 45%)
  • SARB regulates cross-border crypto transactions under exchange control regulations
Sources
Sources