Cryptocurrency regulations evolve quickly, and a single investigation can reshape entire markets. This tracker consolidates public data from sources such as the Atlantic Council Crypto Regulation Tracker, the global legality index, and policy updates cited throughout BitMixList. Key themes for February 2026 include the EU’s MiCA rollout, expanded enforcement of the FATF Travel Rule, new U.S. stablecoin rules under the GENIUS Act, and national licensing regimes aimed at VASPs, mixers, and stablecoin issuers.
The cards below group countries by region. Each row lists current legality, landmark statutes, licensing models, taxation highlights, and whether stablecoins or Travel Rule obligations apply. Use the arrow button on each row to open the referenced regulation or BitMixList explainer.
Africa
Selective bans and VASP licensing; FATF alignment is uneven.
Updated Feb 2026
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IllegalAlgeriaVirtual currency purchase, sale, use, and holding prohibited under the 2017 Official Journal; penalties include fines or incarceration.
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IllegalEgyptCentral Bank ban covers banks, individuals, and financial institutions to curb money laundering and terrorism financing.
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IllegalMoroccoTransactions via virtual currencies breach exchange laws; tax treatment as financial assets remains with risk warnings.
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Banking banNigeriaCBN banking ban reinforced in 2021; personal use taxed. 2025 VASP Act licenses providers with AML/CFT and stablecoin reserves.
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Legal (discouraged)TanzaniaBank of Tanzania asserts shilling as sole legal tender; trading allowed but unsupervised.
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LegalCentral African RepublicBitcoin’s legal-tender law (2022) was repealed in 2023; crypto now treated as a commodity.
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LegalMauritiusDigital assets regulated under the Financial Services Act with VASP licensing, Travel Rule, and stablecoin oversight.
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LegalAngolaNo prohibition; crypto treated as intangible assets for taxation with government caution advisories.
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LegalSouth AfricaBitcoin classified as an intangible asset; VASPs require FSCA licensing, Travel Rule compliance, and stablecoin supervision.
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Banking banNamibiaExchanges barred and merchants cannot accept crypto; individuals may hold assets but authorities discourage it.
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UncertainZimbabweBanking ban contested in court; final regulatory outcome pending, leaving the sector in limbo.
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LegalKenya2025 VASP Act licenses providers, bans mixers for AML, enforces Travel Rule, and mandates stablecoin reserves.
Americas
Licensing regimes dominate; El Salvador remains the lone legal-tender case.
Updated Feb 2026
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LegalCanadaFINTRAC registration, AML controls, CSA oversight, and OSFI prudential guidance govern platforms; RPAA registers PSPs.
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LegalUnited StatesTreasury, CFTC, and IRS classification combined with FinCEN MSB rules; GENIUS Act sets 1:1 stablecoin reserves and federal/state licensing.
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LegalMexicoFinTech Law (2018) regulates virtual assets via Bank of Mexico oversight; taxed as property.
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Not currencyCosta RicaCrypto lacks legal backing; individuals use it at their own risk without licensing.
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Legal tenderEl SalvadorBitcoin Law (2021) makes BTC legal tender, though adoption remains limited.
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Not regulatedNicaraguaNo formal rulings; crypto used informally for property deals and remittances.
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LegalJamaicaBank of Jamaica regulates electronic payments and requires payment-service licensing.
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LegalTrinidad and TobagoCentral Bank warns on risks yet regulates fintech providers; AML controls apply to payment services.
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Banking banArgentinaBanks barred from facilitating crypto since 2022; CNV rules (2025) mandate provider registration.
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Banking banBoliviaDespite lifting an earlier ban, the Central Bank still prohibits crypto use in payment systems.
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LegalBrazilLaw 14,478 (2022) licenses VASPs; BCB/CVM oversight, Travel Rule compliance, and Drex CBDC pilots underway.
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LegalChileNo dedicated law; personal trading permitted without licensing.
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Banking banColombiaFinancial institutions remain prohibited from handling crypto transactions.
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LimitedEcuadorTrading allowed but use as payment banned with possible seizure under the monetary code.
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Legal to holdVenezuelaHolding crypto is legal; mining faces periodic bans and the Petro token remains state-issued.
Asia
Diverse mix of outright bans, commodity treatment, and advanced licensing hubs.
Updated Feb 2026
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IllegalAfghanistanTaliban authorities banned crypto trading in 2022.
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LegalKyrgyzstanCrypto treated as a commodity; mining/trading legal while domestic settlements restricted.
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LegalUzbekistan2018 decree legalized trading/mining with tax exemptions and exchange licensing.
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Banking banUnited Arab EmiratesCentral Bank rejects crypto as tender, but ADGM/DIFC license exchanges with AML, Travel Rule, and stablecoin reserves.
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LegalIsraelTaxed as assets with capital-gains rates; securities law applies and SOI proposes shekel stablecoin rules.
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Banking banSaudi ArabiaAuthorities warn citizens about unregulated crypto and enforce Travel Rule/stablecoin oversight.
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Banking banJordanBanks prohibited from dealing in cryptocurrencies since 2014.
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LegalLebanonRegulators caution users but allow trading and holding.
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Legal to tradeTurkeyTrading legal but crypto payments banned (2021); Travel Rule and stablecoin monitoring in force.
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Banking banQatarFinancial institutions barred from trading, though licensed entities must meet Travel Rule/stablecoin requirements.
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Banking banIranBanks cannot facilitate crypto; mining licensed but subject to rationing.
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IllegalBangladeshUse of crypto can lead to imprisonment under AML statutes.
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LegalIndiaRBI ban lifted; FIU-IND registration, 30% tax, restrictive stablecoin policy, and CBDC pilots active.
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IllegalNepalAbsolute ban on crypto remains.
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LegalPakistanNational use unregulated; KP province legalized mining while SBP cautions users.
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IllegalChinaFinancial institutions barred; exchanges/mining banned with strict enforcement since 2017–2021.
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LegalHong KongVirtual commodities regime with VATP licensing (2024) and reserve-backed stablecoin rules.
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LegalJapanPSA licenses exchanges with AML duties; 2025 amendments add liability reserves and Travel Rule.
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LegalSouth KoreaReal-name accounts and KFIU registration protect users; foreigners/minors excluded.
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Banking banTaiwanNot legal tender; regulators enforce Travel Rule and oversee stablecoin issuance.
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Banking banCambodiaBanks remain prohibited from processing crypto transactions.
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Trade onlyIndonesiaTrading supervised by UU PPSK; crypto payments banned and religious fatwas oppose currency use.
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LegalMalaysiaNot legal tender yet permissible; Bank Negara warnings coexist with licensed platforms and zakat recognition.
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LegalPhilippinesBSP Circular 944 licenses exchanges with AML requirements.
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LegalSingaporePayment Services Act licensing plus MAS stablecoin framework (2025) with reserves and redemption rights.
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Trade onlyThailandExchanges licensed with strict KYC; crypto payments banned and gains exempt from income tax 2025–2029.
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Trade onlyVietnamPayments illegal with fines, but trading goods is tolerated.
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LegalBruneiHolding/trading legal though due diligence is urged.
Europe
MiCA harmonization plus national tax and licensing nuances.
Updated Feb 2026
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LegalEuropean UnionMiCA unifies licensing and disclosure with ART/EMT reserve rules and DORA resilience standards.
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LegalAustriaCrypto profits taxed as earnings; regulators warn investors but allow activity.
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LegalCroatiaCentral bank issues risk warnings yet imposes no restrictions.
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LegalCzech RepublicBusinesses must follow AML rules; crypto treated as intangible for taxes.
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LegalGermanyRecognized as a unit of account with BaFin allowing bank custody/sales.
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LegalHungaryCentral Bank reiterates risk warnings without bans.
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LegalGibraltarDLT framework (2018) licenses providers with Travel Rule obligations.
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LegalPolandNot illegal; regulators warn while banks once closed accounts.
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LegalRomaniaLaw 210/2019 regulates providers; gains taxed 10%.
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LegalSlovakiaNot currency; authorities issue investor warnings.
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LegalSloveniaNo capital gains tax on trades; mining income taxed.
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LegalSwitzerlandAML and potential banking licenses apply; Travel Rule/stablecoin standards enforced.
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LegalAlbaniaDigital asset framework enacted in 2020.
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LegalBelarus2017 decree liberalized mining and trading with incentives.
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LegalGeorgia0% capital gains tax on trading; mining taxed separately.
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Illegal to mineKosovoCrypto mining banned 2022 amid energy crisis.
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MixedRussiaMining regulated, international trade allowed; domestic payments banned.
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LegalUkraineVirtual Asset Bill legalizes markets with upcoming VASP licensing and taxes.
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LegalDenmarkAuthorities drafting specific rules while warning users.
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LegalEstoniaOwnership permitted; identity checks over €1000 monthly.
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LegalFinlandTaxed as CFDs; VAT exempt for exchanges.
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LegalIcelandRequires forex exemptions; mining allowed.
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LegalLithuaniaRegulators issued risk warnings but allow activity.
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LegalNorwayWealth tax applies; VAT exempt and Travel Rule enforced.
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LegalSwedenTreated as currency for VAT with licensing for exchanges.
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LegalBosnia and HerzegovinaCrypto legal and unregulated.
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LegalBulgaria10% tax on profits; no other restrictions.
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LegalCyprusTrading allowed absent a dedicated framework.
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LegalGreeceNo special legislation governs crypto use.
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LegalItalyIndividuals only face tax reporting duties.
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LegalMaltaVFA Act and blockchain strategy attract regulated providers.
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LegalNorth MacedoniaCrypto legal yet unregulated.
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LegalPortugalGenerally permissive environment with early warnings only.
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LegalSpainTransactions treated as barter and taxed.
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LegalBelgiumGovernment sees no need for intervention (2013).
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LegalFranceProfessional and tax frameworks in place since 2014–16.
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Not regulatedIrelandNot legal tender but permitted; awaiting EU harmonization.
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LegalLuxembourgRecognized as currency; BitLicense-style regime introduced 2015.
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LegalNetherlandsTaxed holdings; regulators focus on AML.
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LegalUnited KingdomHMRC treats crypto like foreign currency; crypto ATMs banned 2022 with new FCA authorisations.
Oceania
Australia leads on licensing; several islands explore legal tender options.
Updated Feb 2026
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LegalAustraliaExchanges register with AUSTRAC; draft laws (2025) add platform/stablecoin licensing.
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LegalNew ZealandCrypto not physical currency yet usable; no approval needed for storage or transfer.
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LegalFijiGovernment exploring Bitcoin legal-tender plans announced 2023.
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LegalTuvaluSupports blockchain initiatives for e-government (2021).
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LegalVanuatuLegalized crypto activity in 2021.
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LegalMarshall IslandsRecognizes DAOs as legal entities and explores sovereign digital assets.
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LegalPalauSupports official crypto/ID programs announced 2021.
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Legal (discouraged)SamoaWarnings issued against unlicensed promotion though ownership remains legal.
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LegalTongaParliament considering Bitcoin legal tender with legislation in progress.
Other Territories
Offshore hubs and emerging VASP regimes.
Updated Feb 2026
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LegalBahamasComprehensive digital-asset licenses plus Travel Rule and stablecoin treatment as digital money.
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LegalBermudaVASP Act (2022) licenses providers and mandates reserve-backed stablecoins.
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LegalBritish Virgin Islands2022 VASP Act aligns with FATF standards.
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LegalCayman IslandsVASP Act (2020/2024) licenses custodians with Travel Rule enforcement.
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LegalChannel IslandsGuernsey and Jersey require registration and Travel Rule compliance under updated AML laws.
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LegalLiechtensteinTVTG (2019) creates a token model with risk-based supervision interoperable with MiCA.
Sources updated February 2026: Atlantic Council, Investopedia, PwC Global Crypto Regulation Report, and public legal gazettes.
Author
NotATether
Bitcoin privacy researcher and maintainer of BitMixList. Focused on mixer history, enforcement timelines, and practical privacy workflows for users operating in high-friction jurisdictions.
