Is Bitcoin Legal? A Trip Around the World

Is Bitcoin legal? That’s an interesting yet tough question to answer. In the broader parts of the world, yes, Bitcoin is legal. Whether you’re in Japan, the United States, or El Salvador, you have the freedom to buy, sell, or store Bitcoin. Exchanges like Binance, Kraken, and Bybit further streamline crypto transactions around the globe.

However, there are noteworthy exceptions. Countries like China and Egypt have imposed outright bans on Bitcoin. There are also some regions where the legality of Bitcoin lies in a grey area.

Truthfully, it’s all pretty confusing, but I’m here to set the record straight. Let’s travel around the world and explore Bitcoin’s legal status by country.

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Is Bitcoin Legal? A Quick Overview

Decoding is Bitcoin legal or not can feel like navigating a complex and tangled web. Since the crypto scene is fast-paced, it makes it hard for traders to keep up with ongoing updates.^[1] For exchanges, complying with various jurisdictional laws proves to be a hurdle when registering their businesses.

To simplify things, I’ve put together a handy table below. It covers the legal status of Bitcoin in prominent regions while zooming in on specific countries.

Table: Bitcoin legal status by country

Now, you probably see the notes about banking bans, but what do they mean?

However, the specifics vary from country to country. Some entirely block the use of cryptocurrency as a payment method (for example, credit card purchases). Meanwhile, the UK has banned access to crypto derivative products since 2023.

Where is Bitcoin Legal? (By Countries and Regions)

If you’ve checked the previous table and found that your country falls in the safe zone for storing, buying, or selling Bitcoin, you’re probably relieved.

However, if you’re planning to engage in certain activities like mining or futures trading, the regulatory landscape isn’t clear-cut. Even access to centralized exchanges remains scarce in several regions. Due to the complexity, some users might not even realize whether they’re violating or adhering to local laws.

So, while Bitcoin is legal in your nation, how far can you go? Let’s explore the maze.

The United States

The US is known to be the bedrock of technological innovations, from AI to cryptocurrency. The major CEX, Coinbase, actually originates from the country.

It’s no surprise, then, to see that Bitcoin is legal in the US, as well as other cryptocurrencies like Ethereum and Solana. The matters get complex when we talk about Ripple, though. Although the said coin is legal to trade and own, there’s still an ongoing legal battle between XRP and the SEC (Securities and Exchange Commission).

Besides the SEC, federal agencies like the IRS actively oversee crypto regulations. They recently issued a notice that Bitcoin isn’t legal tender in all jurisdictions, meaning it’s not recognized as a form of payment.

Regarding speculative assets, like crypto derivatives, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) classifies them as legal. Bitcoin mining is also allowed, although it’s essential to understand the energy usage, licensing requirements, and tax implications at the state level.

On the flipside, the SEC has been tightening CEX regulations. Binance, for instance, is accessible through the dedicated Binance.US portal for American traders. Bybit, another top-tier exchange, is unfortunately geo-blocked, while Kraken stands out as a viable option.

Furthermore, if you’re in New York or California, the operational barriers are even higher due to stricter Know Your Customer (KYC) requirements.

To sum up, is Bitcoin legal in the US? Yes, but local traders might face challenges when selecting the most suitable exchanges in the United States. As is the case elsewhere, illicit practices like money laundering, fraud, and Ponzi schemes can lead to severe legal consequences, including heavy fines and jail time.

📚 Read More: US Crypto Regulations

Canada

Jumping to the neighboring country, is Bitcoin legal in Canada? Indeed, it is. Traders can freely trade Bitcoin on a public trading platform or a peer-to-peer environment.

Just like the US, though, crypto assets do not have any legal tender status. The central bank or the government does not issue or oversee virtual currencies. The Bank of Montreal (BMO) and Toronto-Dominion Bank (TD) also forbid crypto transactions using their credit or debit cards - hence the banking ban.

There is some positive news, though. Bitcoin ATMs are legal in Canada, regulated under the current MSB Act of the Autorité des marchés financiers (AMF). Any crypto-related businesses should also register with the Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Center of Canada (FINTRAC).

📚 Read More: Best Crypto Exchanges in Canada

South America

Bitcoin is legal in the greater parts of South America. Brazil even had plans to ratify BTC as a payment method, but they were revoked in 2017.

Colombia, Argentina, and Bolivia also consider the sale of Bitcoin to be legal. However, financial institutions are not permitted to facilitate crypto-related services.

In Chile, Bitcoin is legal, although it is not accepted as a form of payment for debts. Meanwhile, Ecuador takes a stricter stance on Bitcoin. Trading and holding it are legal, but payments involving crypto are unauthorized.

West Asia

Untangling crypto regulations in West Asia is unique due to the Sharia law that most countries abide by. Thankfully, Bitcoin checks the legality boxes in the UAE, Lebanon, and Turkey. In Israel, Bitcoin is not treated as currency but rather as a taxable asset.

In such a case, the safest way to get your hands on crypto is through centralized exchanges. The CEX Bybit, for instance, is officially registered as a Virtual Asset Service Provider (VASP) and has its headquarters in Dubai.

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It also provides Islamic accounts, covering Halal-certified assets such as Bitcoin, Tezos, and 70+ other options for ethical trading.

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India

Moving to the largest and most populous country in Asia, Bitcoin is legal in India under the Income Tax Act. Traders can freely buy, sell, hold, and trade cryptocurrencies - but only through exchanges that have received government approval.

📚 Read More: Best Crypto Exchanges in India

That said, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) does not permit the use of crypto for transactions involving goods and services due to its price volatility.

India also imposes comprehensive tax provisions for crypto. If you earn income in Bitcoin, even as a secondary source, you’ll need to declare it when filing your tax returns. The rate is set flat at 30%.

Plus, if your crypto trades amount to more than ₹50,000, you must pay a 1% Tax Deducted at Source (TDS) for each transaction block. Even if you incur losses, any profits remain taxable. Unfortunately, no tax relief will be given.

East Asia

East Asia is one of the friendlier regions when dealing with crypto. Bitcoin is legal in Japan, Hong Kong, South Korea, and Taiwan. Nevertheless, there are some caveats to get hold of.

If you’re a foreigner in South Korea, you cannot trade Bitcoin or other crypto. Plus, the country enforces firm KYC protocols, so you must register on exchanges using your real name.

In Japan, it’s important to use a platform that adheres to the Payment Services Act. Thankfully, you’ll find many Japanese-friendly exchange options.

In Hong Kong, Bitcoin is seen as a virtual commodity. As of June 2025, the country’s SEC is on its way to legalize derivatives trading.

In Taiwan, Bitcoin is legal, but local banks do not provide crypto services. In 2014, Bitcoin ATMs (BTMs) were banned. However, as of the time of writing, Taiwan is among the top 30 countries with the most BTMs in place.

Southeast Asia

Southeast Asia has been quietly rising as a global superpower, with the cryptocurrency market projecting a revenue of $9.2 billion in the mid-2020s.

As a primer, Bitcoin is legal in most member countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

Notably, Singapore is at the forefront of crypto and blockchain adoption, thanks to the welcoming regulatory landscape that leads to a surge in crypto start-ups.

📚 Read More: Best Crypto Exchanges in Singapore

Meanwhile, Indonesia records the highest crypto transaction volume in Southeast Asia (as of writing), but the Bank of Indonesia forbids the use of BTC as a payment tool. Similar restrictions are also in place in Thailand and Vietnam.

Uniquely, Malaysia becomes the first country to enable zakat payments with Bitcoin. The Philippines and Brunei have also embraced BTC. On the other hand, Cambodia issues a banking ban on Bitcoin.

Europe

When you’re wondering, “Is cryptocurrency legal in Europe?”, the answer lies in the Markets in Crypto Act (MiCA). This harmonized framework aims to promote fair and secure access to crypto, encourage technological advancement, and strengthen customer protection.

While MiCA signifies a major advancement, it does not obligate all 27 European Union member states to legalize crypto. Nevertheless, Bitcoin is legal in most of Central, Northern, Southern, and Western Europe.

Across the EU, in line with international standards, taxation applies to Bitcoin. Here are the details for several countries:

• Austria: capital gains tax of 27.5%.
• Denmark: personal income tax of 37% to 52%.
• Finland: capital gains tax of 30% on the income of €30,000 and 34% if higher.
• France: capital gains tax of 30%.
• Greece: capital gains tax of 15%.
• Ireland: capital gains tax of 33%.
• Netherlands: personal income tax of 36%.
• Poland: capital gains tax of 19%.

However, there are several European countries that levy zero taxes on cryptocurrencies.

Many traders refer to them as “tax havens”, and these include:

• Germany
• Portugal
• Switzerland
• Luxembourg
• Malta
• Belgium

Note that this tax exemption does not come for free, as you have to hold Bitcoin for more than a year. Additionally, depending on your income, profit, and trading frequency, Germany and Cyprus may raise your tax rates up to 45% and 35%, respectively.

Other EU countries also maintain fairly competitive crypto tax structures, with Lithuania charging a flat 15% and Estonia 20% on crypto gains.

Exploring further in Eastern Europe, the regulatory terrain becomes more challenging to navigate. In Russia, Bitcoin is legal to hold, trade, and mine, but illegal as a domestic payment method. Meanwhile, in Kosovo, Bitcoin mining is off-limits due to a country-wide energy crisis.

As for Ukraine, the president passed the Virtual Asset Bill in 2022. However, to prevent capital flight, direct crypto purchases with Ukrainian hryvnia (UAH) are banned, and transactions in foreign currencies are capped at $3,300 per month.

The United Kingdom

Since Bitcoin entered the scene in 2008, the UK has never banned the asset. In 2023, the country updated its Financial Services and Market Acts, outlining the rules for coins, tokens, and even NFTs.

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) acts as the primary regulator in the UK, ensuring that crypto trades stay clean from AML practices. Centralized exchanges and similar businesses that handle token security must also register with the FCA.

📚 Read More: Best Crypto Exchanges in the UK

Additionally, capital gains tax will apply when you:

• Sell your Bitcoin;
• Trade your token for another asset;

• Purchase goods or services using Bitcoin;
• Gift Bitcoins to another person (except to your spouse or civil partner).

Unlike other countries, the UK may also tax your crypto donations. If you sell Bitcoin at a lower price than the purchase price, you can report a capital loss to offset gains in the same tax year.

Derivatives are seen as high-risk assets, and even if you’re a professional trader, your access will be blocked.

Australia

Are Bitcoins legal in Australia? Yes, they are 100% legal. However, the digital gold is still not considered legal tender, so relatively few merchants accept it as a means of payment.

For compliance with the Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing Act of 2006, users must only register on regulated Australian-friendly crypto exchanges. The Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre (AUSTRAC) plays a key role in monitoring all this.

Furthermore, based on the National Consumer Credit Protection Act of 2019, crypto lending and credit services must hold an Australian credit license unless exempt.

Meanwhile, the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) taxes Bitcoins as a capital gains tax (CGT) asset. Every time you trade, sell, or use crypto, you must report it when submitting your tax returns.

On the brighter side, you might qualify for discounts, especially if you hold BTC for at least 12 months.

Africa

It’s interesting to decipher is cryptocurrency legal in Africa, especially seeing the continent’s growing interest in Bitcoin and a range of digital assets.

Nigeria ranks first in Africa for crypto adoption, driven by mobile-based P2P payments.^[2] The Investment and Securities Act (ISA) of 2025 formally legalizes Bitcoin and categorizes it as a security. However, a banking ban in the region still takes full effect.

Bitcoin is also legal in South Africa, an emerging hub for blockchain innovation. Regulatory bodies like the Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA) actively track the flows of Bitcoin within the country, classifying it as a financial product under the Financial Advisory and Intermediary Services (FAIS) Act.

Likewise, Bitcoin is legal in Angola, Mauritius, and the Central African Republic. In Tanzania, while Bitcoin trading is permitted, the government discourages it. Namibia, on the other hand, enforces a banking ban despite Bitcoin’s legal status.

In Zimbabwe, Bitcoin is not explicitly outlawed, but the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) warns against its use. To simplify matters, Bitcoin operates in a gray area here.

As a rule of thumb, opt for a crypto exchange that is either officially registered as a Virtual Asset Service Provider (VASP) or actively committed to becoming one. Bybit, for instance, supports Bitcoin trading with ZAR, NGN, and more.

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Where Is Bitcoin Illegal?

Now that you know where Bitcoin is legal, it’s actually easier to find the missing puzzle pieces by figuring out where it is illegal.

China

Is Bitcoin legal in China? No, it certainly isn’t. Previously, the government only restricted crypto mining and trading. Then, in 2017, initial coin offerings (ICOs) were outlawed. Here was the announcement:

...tokens or virtual currencies involved in ICO financing are not issued by monetary authorities and therefore not mandatorily accepted legal tender, and thus do not have equal legal status with fiat currencies and cannot and should not be circulated and used in the market as currencies.

Fast forward to 2021, the People’s Bank of China has officially ruled out private ownership of Bitcoin.

China is one of the leading countries in digital innovation, and its leadership has designated blockchain as a national focus. The People’s Bank of China has launched the digital yuan, its own Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC), and efforts to accelerate its adoption are underway.

Nevertheless, the Bitcoin ban sent a shockwave through the nation’s crypto market, which had previously been one of the largest globally. The asset’s price slumped sharply, and its global share of energy consumption dropped from 76% to 46%.

Pakistan

The Pakistani government has been pushing Bitcoin and crypto adoption, but has not been greeted with open arms. The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) and the Ministry of Finance (MoF) maintain their stance that Bitcoin is illegal.

Private ownership of Bitcoin is a grey area. It is not considered a criminal offense, especially if you acquire the asset abroad. However, traders should still exercise extreme caution. Crypto investing and trading can expose you to financial crimes scrutiny, particularly pertaining to AML laws.

In general, using crypto in Pakistan remains unsafe, legally and financially.

Saudi Arabia

Bitcoin is not completely illegal in Saudi Arabia. To be more precise, the Saudi Arabian Monetary Agency (SAMA) or any legitimate financial authority in the country does not monitor or support digital currencies.

Until today, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has not enacted any specific laws governing Bitcoin or other crypto. The absence of formal legal recognition places crypto at a crossroads.

Several frameworks, like the AML and CTF laws, do not explicitly mention crypto assets. Though the broad definition of funds in those documents, including tangible, intangible, and digitally acquired assets, likely encompasses cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin.

Northern Africa

Bitcoins are legal in most countries across Africa, except for those on the northern side. According to the 2018 Financial Law of Algeria, the sale, use, and possession of virtual currencies are formally barred.

In Egypt, Bitcoin’s legal status shares the same story. The Central Bank of Egypt bans the issuance, promotion, and trading of Bitcoin.

Finally, in Morocco, a sweeping ban on Bitcoin has taken full force since 2017. In more recent developments, though, the governor of Bank Al-Maghrib is preparing a blueprint to legalize crypto assets.

Afghanistan

In August 2022, the Taliban announced a total ban on crypto. Trading, mining, and using Bitcoin were deemed haram, or forbidden under Islamic law.

Prior to this, Bitcoin adoption rose in Afghanistan, especially during the early 2020s. Amid the country’s liquidity crisis and the collapse of the centralized financial system, many Afghans found themselves unable to access funds in their bank accounts.

As a result, people resorted to underground trading, and Bitcoin emerged as the only sure tool for payment. However, following the ban, authorities arrested traders and shut down more than a dozen crypto exchanges.

Bangladesh

The Bangladesh Bank imposes an absolute ban on Bitcoin and cryptocurrencies.

Existing regulatory bodies cite that crypto transactions conflict with the Foreign Exchange Regulation Act of 1947, the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2009, and the Money Laundering Prevention Act of 2012.

However, in recent publications, the Bangladeshi government outlined ambitious plans to position Bangladesh as a blockchain-enabled nation.

Following what is known as the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR), Bangladesh welcomes the prospect of integrating Bitcoin and blockchain technologies into its broader digital strategy, including e-governance efficiency.

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Nepal

Nepal has taken a hostile stance on crypto. The digital asset is rendered illegal, as declared by the Nepal Rastra Bank in 2021.

The Central Bureau of Investigation, a division of the Nepal Police, recently confiscated equipment and computers for Bitcoin mining in Nepal.

So far, the country has no policies on digital currencies. The former governor of Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) has warned that using Bitcoin for trading or payments could harm the country’s economy.

Additional Considerations

Is Bitcoin legal in Japan, China, or India? Now, you have the answers. However, when talking about Bitcoin, the asset covers a broad spectrum of activities beyond simple buying and selling.

Even if crypto proves to be legal in your country, it’s crucial to dig deeper and review the legality of crypto-related activities you’re planning to engage in. Consider the following questions as your guiding compass:

• Is Bitcoin accepted as legal tender? Rarely have any countries taken that great leap. El Salvador famously pioneered the adoption of BTC as legal tender, but that status has been rescinded after a cautionary nudge from the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
• Is Bitcoin mining legal? Except for China, Kosovo, Angola, and a few others, Bitcoin mining is generally allowed. However, concerns over energy usage have led countries like Sweden to cut off incentives for the activity.
• Is Bitcoin derivatives trading legal? The UK, Nepal, and Qatar, among others, prohibit futures, options, or general derivatives trading.

• Is Bitcoin margin trading legal? The Canadian Securities Administrators (CSA) forbid platforms from offering margin trading, loans, or any type of leverage to clients. Kraken has released a similar notice to clients in Australia.
• Is Bitcoin airdrop legal? The practice is considered legal, and in jurisdictions like the US, airdrop profits are taxable events. However, the SEC has cautioned that certain airdrop activities may fall under securities regulations, so proceed carefully.

Always stay informed and seek proper guidance to avoid legal consequences wherever you are.

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Conclusions

Is Bitcoin legal? As you can see from the previous tour across the world map, the answer is yes in most places. However, the specifics vary by country. Although Bitcoin is legal in Canada, for instance, retail investors are barred from margin or leverage trading.

Generally, digital assets still encounter significant geographic restrictions worldwide. Aside from Afghanistan, Bitcoin is also not legal in China, Bangladesh, and the greater parts of North Africa.

The content published on this website is not aimed to give any kind of financial, investment, trading, or any other form of advice. BitDegree.org does not endorse or suggest you to buy, sell or hold any kind of cryptocurrency. Before making financial investment decisions, do consult your financial advisor.

Scientific References

1. Mohsin, K.: ‘Cryptocurrency Legality & Regulations – International Scenario’;

2. Agama, E. J.: ‘Cryptocurrency Adoption and Investor Protection in the Nigerian Securities Market’.