Sweden vs El Salvador
Crypto regulation comparison
Sweden
El Salvador
Legal
Legal
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.
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199), El Salvador amended the law to make Bitcoin acceptance by businesses voluntary rather than mandatory, and repealed several articles.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
30%
Tax Rate
0%
Exchanges
Yes
Exchanges
Yes
Mining
Yes
Mining
Yes
Regulator
Finansinspektionen (FI)
Regulator
BCR (Banco Central de Reserva), CNAD (Comisión Nacional de Activos Digitales)
Stablecoin Rules
Regulated under EU MiCA framework
Stablecoin Rules
USD is the primary currency; Bitcoin-specific legislation in place
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
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