Countries in which Bitcoin is legalAU (Australia, Commonwealth of)Australia, although it has not officially vindicated Bitcoin's legality, assented to its legal usage by providing tax guidance.
[1] Bitcoin is subject to taxation in Australia similar to any other commodity. Australia has also likened Bitcoin as “just a new medium of exchange and similar to any kind of currency”.
[2]BE (Belgium, Kingdom of)The finance minister of Belgium, Koen Geens, agreed that there was little evidence Bitcoin is used for money laundering and that consequently the Belgian National bank has little reason to object to the use of Bitcoin.
[3]A noted business based in Belgium, the Kraken Bitcoin exchange, has been noted for its existence and relative safety from regulatory pressure despite lack of compliance with local laws.
[4]CA (Canada)Not only is use of Bitcoin in Canada legal, but the Canadian financial regulation agency has taken a Bitcoin-friendly stance.
[5] However, the province of Quebec has its own financial regulation agency, which has thus far not issued a statement about Bitcoin.
Taxation of Bitcoin in Canada is similar to that of any other currency or commodity: income tax and capital gains tax both apply.
[1]DE (Germany)The German financial regulatory agency,
BaFin, has effectively classified Bitcoin as a commodity.
[7] Consequently, Bitcoin transactions are considered barter, and are taxable as barter.
DK (Denmark, Kingdom of)Denmark's financial supervisory committee, Finanstilsynet, issued a statement condemning Bitcoin for its volatility and risk but nonetheless allowing its legal trade.
[6] A full statement of how regulation and taxation will work with Bitcoin is expected in January 2014.
FI (Finland, Republic of)The Finnish Central Bank confirmed the legality of Bitcoin, citing that “people can invest in and use any money they prefer. Finland is a free country, after all.” However, the bank has also warned of the dangers of using unregulated virtual currencies.
[7]FR (French Republic)The French Republic has confirmed Bitcoin services' legal status on two occasions: the first, when it ruled Mt. Gox was allowed to operate within its borders, and the second, when Bitcoin Central was allowed to operate as a bank in France.
[8] However, on both occasions France was careful not to vindicate Bitcoin itself.
GB (United Kingdom)HMRC has stated that Bitcoin exchanges need not register to comply with regulations.
[9] The agency has also stated that Bitcoin is taxable under standard capital gains taxation.
[10]NO (Norway, Kingdom of)The Norwegian Secretary of the Treasury has confirmed that Bitcoin falls under no existing monetary laws, because Bitcoin does not meet the current Norwegian definition of “money”.
[11] Consequently, Bitcoin trade is legal and unregulated.
Norway has continued this stance in recent times, refusing to describe Bitcoin as real money.
[12] However,
VAT must be paid when acquiring bitcoins, meaning liquid trade is effectively impossible.
[13]NL (Netherlands)Although the Netherlands has not officially vindicated the legality of Bitcoin, it has assented to its legal usage by providing tax guidance. Income in bitcoins is taxable as income in any other currency is.
[1]PL (Poland, Republic of)The Polish government has issued a statement confirming Bitcoin's legality; however, it currently is recognized neither as legal tender nor as electronic money.
[14] Consequently,
VAT may apply to Bitcoin purchases and sales, though the government has yet to clarify the tax requirements.
SE (Sweden, Kingdom of)The Swedish government has warned against the use of Bitcoin, citing money laundering concerns. Thus, it has required registration for any money-transmitting Bitcoin services under the Finansinspektionen, the Swedish financial regulatory agency.
[15]US (America, United States of)Although Bitcoin is recognized legally by
FINCEN,
[16] the United States has demonstrated unfriendliness towards most Bitcoin merchants. The State of California, for example, issued the Bitcoin Foundation a cease and desist letter.
[17]Countries in which Bitcoin's legality is contentiousCN (China, People's Republic of)The legality of Bitcoin in China is contentious. Whereas the state media has promoted Bitcoin,
[18] other virtual currencies in the past have been declared illegal.
[19]TH (Thailand, Kingdom of)The Foreign Exchange Administration and Policy Department of Thailand found illicit most Bitcoin-related activities, including commerce, exchange, and remittance.
[20] Although a bank would not usually be authorized to make currencies illicit, the Department is not simply a private institution. It is indeed a part of Thailand's central bank and some argue that it can enact policies banning the use of Bitcoin.
[21] Others argue that because a higher level of government has not confirmed the law, the bank's role is only advisory.
Countries in which Bitcoin is illegal
