El Salvador vs Turkmenistan
Crypto regulation comparison
El Salvador
Turkmenistan
Legal
Legal
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199), El Salvador amended the law to make Bitcoin acceptance by businesses voluntary rather than mandatory, and repealed several articles.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.
Turkmenistan enacted the Law on Virtual Assets effective January 2026, legalizing crypto exchanges and mining under Central Bank licensing. Crypto is treated as property, not legal tender.
Tax Type
No tax
Tax Type
None
Tax Rate
0%
Tax Rate
N/A
Exchanges
Yes
Exchanges
Yes
Mining
Yes
Mining
Yes
Regulator
BCR (Banco Central de Reserva), CNAD (Comisión Nacional de Activos Digitales)
Regulator
Central Bank of Turkmenistan
Stablecoin Rules
USD is the primary currency; Bitcoin-specific legislation in place
Stablecoin Rules
Regulated under Virtual Assets Law
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
Key Points
- Law on Virtual Assets enacted November 2025, effective January 2026
- Crypto exchanges and mining require Central Bank licensing
- Crypto treated as property, not legal tender
- Banks prohibited from directly providing crypto services
- Low electricity costs attract mining operations