El Salvador vs Kosovo
Crypto regulation comparison
El Salvador
Kosovo
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199), El Salvador amended the law to make Bitcoin acceptance by businesses voluntary rather than mandatory, and repealed several articles.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.
Kosovo banned crypto mining in 2022 due to energy crisis but crypto trading remains legal. The Central Bank has warned about crypto risks.
Tax Type
No tax
Tax Type
Income
Tax Rate
0%
Tax Rate
0-10%
Exchanges
Yes
Exchanges
Yes
Mining
Yes
Mining
No
Regulator
BCR (Banco Central de Reserva), CNAD (Comisión Nacional de Activos Digitales)
Regulator
Central Bank of Kosovo
Stablecoin Rules
USD is the primary currency; Bitcoin-specific legislation in place
Stablecoin Rules
No specific 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
- Crypto mining banned in 2022 due to energy crisis
- Crypto trading and holding remain legal
- Central Bank has warned about crypto risks
- Income from crypto subject to taxation
- Growing crypto adoption despite mining ban