El Salvador vs Trinidad and Tobago
Crypto regulation comparison
El Salvador
Trinidad and Tobago
Legal
Restricted
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199), El Salvador amended the law to make Bitcoin acceptance by businesses voluntary rather than mandatory, and repealed several articles.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.
Trinidad and Tobago's crypto sector is largely unregulated. The Central Bank, TTSEC, and FIU jointly warned in 2019 that crypto providers are neither regulated nor supervised. A 2025 Virtual Assets Bill proposes banning crypto transactions until December 2027 with fines up to M TTD. Most banks block crypto purchases.
Tax Type
No tax
Tax Type
Unclear
Tax Rate
0%
Tax Rate
N/A
Exchanges
Yes
Exchanges
No
Mining
Yes
Mining
Yes
Regulator
BCR (Banco Central de Reserva), CNAD (Comisión Nacional de Activos Digitales)
Regulator
Central Bank of Trinidad and Tobago (CBTT), TTSEC
Stablecoin Rules
USD is the primary currency; Bitcoin-specific legislation in place
Stablecoin Rules
No stablecoin regulation
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
- Joint 2019 advisory: crypto providers neither regulated nor supervised
- Virtual Assets Bill 2025 proposes ban on crypto transactions until December 2027
- Most commercial banks block crypto-related transactions
- Proposed fines up to M TTD for unauthorized virtual asset activities
- TTSEC designated as primary regulator under proposed legislation