Crypto is legal in all the countries below, but who regulates it, how it's taxed and how you check a platform differ a lot. Use the table to compare, then open the guide for where you live.
Compare the rules
| Country or region | Who licenses platforms | Tax on individuals' gains | Check a platform on |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia | AUSTRAC registration; ASIC licence from 9 April 2027 | Capital gains tax, with a 50% discount after 12 months | AUSTRAC register |
| Canada | Canadian Securities Administrators (CSA) | 50% of capital gains taxed | CSA list of registered platforms |
| European Union | National regulators under MiCA | Set by each country | ESMA register |
| Hong Kong | Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) | None for investors; profits tax for trading businesses | SFC platform lists |
| India | Registration with FIU-IND | Flat 30% on gains, plus 1% TDS on sales | FIU-IND list of reporting entities |
| Singapore | Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) | None for investors; income tax on trading profits | MAS Financial Institutions Directory |
| United Arab Emirates | VARA in Dubai; FSRA, DFSA and SCA elsewhere | No personal tax on gains | VARA public register |
| United Kingdom | Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) | Capital Gains Tax at 18% or 24% above £3,000 | FCA Register |
| United States | SEC, CFTC, FinCEN and state regulators | Capital gains tax; lower rates after 1 year | NMLS Consumer Access; NYDFS in New York |
Tax offices are sharing crypto data
Wherever you live, assume your tax office can see your exchange activity. Under the OECD's Crypto-Asset Reporting Framework (CARF), platforms in a growing number of countries collect customer details and report them to tax authorities, who exchange the data across borders. In the EU, the same rules apply through DAC8, with platforms collecting data from 1 January 2026. In the US, brokers report through Form 1099-DA.
If you move between countries, your old country may still tax you for a while, and your new one may treat crypto very differently. Keep records of what you paid for every coin. For a deeper comparison, read how crypto is taxed around the world.
The same safety rules apply everywhere
- Use a platform that is licensed or registered where you live, and check the regulator's own register, not the platform's website.
- Never share your recovery phrase or one-time passcodes with anyone.
- Treat guaranteed returns, sign-up pressure and messages from strangers as warning signs.
- Move long-term holdings to a wallet you control. See our wallet guide.
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