Poland vs El Salvador
Crypto regulation comparison
Poland
El Salvador
Cryptocurrency is legal and regulated in Poland. Crypto capital gains are taxed at a flat 19% rate. The KNF (Polish Financial Supervision Authority) oversees crypto-related financial services, and VASPs must register for AML compliance. Poland has a growing crypto community and several domestic exchanges. MiCA applies from December 2024.
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199), El Salvador amended the law to make Bitcoin acceptance by businesses voluntary rather than mandatory, and repealed several articles.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
- Flat 19% tax on crypto capital gains (PIT-38 annual declaration)
- Crypto-to-crypto transactions are not taxable events; only fiat conversions trigger tax
- VASPs must register in the AML register maintained by the Tax Administration Chamber
- KNF oversees market conduct and consumer protection for crypto services
- MiCA framework applicable from December 2024
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