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Author : Coindesk : 19th August 2014.
Is Bitcoin Legal?Bitcoin is of interest to law enforcement agencies, tax authorities, and legal regulators, all of which are trying to understand how the crypto currency fits into existing frameworks. The legality of your bitcoin activities will depend on who you are, where you live, and what you are doing with it. Bitcoin has proven to be a contentious issue for regulators and law enforcers, both of which have targeted the digital currency at https://www.coindesk.com/bitcoin-law-what-us-businesses-need-to-know/ in an attempt to control its use. We are still early on in the game, and many legal authorities are still struggling to understand the crypto currency, let alone make laws around it. Amid all this uncertainty, one question stands out: is bitcoin legal? The answer is, yes, depending on what you’re doing with it. Read on for our guide to the complex legal landscape surrounding bitcoin. Most of the discussion concerns the US, where many of the legal dramas are currently playing out. Alternatively, you can access our comprehensive Regulation Report for worldwide expert commentary here at https://www.coindesk.com/research/regulation-report/. What are the concerns about bitcoin? Government agencies are increasingly worried about the implications of bitcoin, as it has the ability to be used anonymously, and is therefore a potential instrument for money laundering. In particular, law enforcers seem to be concerned about the decentralized nature of the currency.
As early as April 2012, the FBI published a document at http://cryptome.org/2012/05/fbi-bitcoin.pdf highlighting its fears around bitcoin specifically, drawing a distinction between it and centralized digital currencies such as eGold and WebMoney. It voiced concerns that while US-based exchanges are regulated, offshore services may not be, and could be a haven for criminals to use bitcoin for illicit activities without being traced. Bitcoin was the only form of currency accepted on Silk Road, an anonymous marketplace that was only accessible over the TOR anonymous browsing network, and which was closed by the FBI in October 2013. Silk Road was commonly used to sell goods that are illegal in many countries, including narcotics. This prompted US Senator Charles Schumer to call for the site to be shut down at http://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/123187958.html explicitly linking it to bitcoin, which he called a "surrogate currency". The US Drug Enforcement Administration seized bitcoins at https://www.coindesk.com/bitcoins-seized-by-drug-enforcement-agency/ from a US resident for purchasing a controlled substance in June 2013. Who regulates it? Regulators will vary on a per-country basis, but you can expect to see national financial regulators interested in bitcoin and other virtual currencies, potentially along with regional regulators at a sub-country level. FinCEN. In the US, the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) at http://www.fincen.gov/ which is an agency within the US Treasury Department, took the initiative.
It published guidelines about the use of virtual currencies. FinCEN’s March 18, 2013 guidance at http://fincen.gov/statutes_regs/guidance/html/FIN-2013-G001.html defined the circumstances under which virtual currency users could be categorized as money services businesses (also commonly known as money transmitting businesses or MTBs). MTBs must enforce Anti-Money Laundering (AML) and Know Your Client (KYC) measures, identifying the people that they’re doing business with. CFTC. The US Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CTFC) at http://www.cftc.gov/index.htm which looks after financial derivatives, hasn’t announced regulation yet, but has made it clear that it could if it wanted to at https://www.reuters.com/article/2013/05/06/net-us-bitcoin-regulation-idUSBRE9450Y520130506. SEC. The US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) haven’t issued solid regulations on virtual currencies, but its Office of Investor Education and Advocacy published an investor alert at https://investor.gov/news-alerts/investor-alerts/investor-alert-ponzi-schemes-using-virtual-currencies to warn people about fraudulent investment schemes involving bitcoin. In particular, it warned of Ponzi schemes, after charging at https://www.sec.gov/News/PressRelease/Detail/PressRelease/1370539730583#.UhMqqmSjBe5 Texas resident Trendon T Shavers (aka ‘pirateat40’), founder and operator of Bitcoin Savings and Trust, with allegedly raising 700,000 Bitcoins by promising investors up to 7% weekly interest.
Legislative branch. The SEC case has forced the legislative branch of government to consider Bitcoin’s legal status. Shavers had claimed that he could not be prosecuted for securities fraud, as bitcoin wasn’t money. However, Judge Amos Mazzant issued a memorandum at https://www.coindesk.com/us-judge-rules-bitcoin-is-a-currency-or-form-of-money/ arguing that bitcoin can be used as money. In August 2013, the US Senate wrote at https://www.coindesk.com/us-senate-committee-initiates-inquiry-into-bitcoin-and-virtual-currencies/to several law enforcement agencies, inquiring about the threats and risks relating to virtual currency. The letters included this one at http://www.scribd.com/doc/160205332/US-Senate-committee-virtual-currency-letter to the Department Of Homeland Security, fretting about the lack of a paper trail for regulators and enforcement agencies to follow for virtual currency transactions. It requested policies and guidance related to the treatment of virtual currencies, and information about any ongoing strategic efforts in the area. November saw responses at https://www.coindesk.com/federal-agency-responses-us-government-attitudes-bitcoin/ from the various agencies. The Department of Homeland Security was the most worried about the criminal threat from illicit use of bitcoin, while the Department of Justice, the Federal Reserve and the Department of Justice all acknowledged the legitimate uses of virtual currencies.
The SEC argued that “any interests issued by entities owning virtual currencies or providing returns based on assets such as virtual currencies” were considered securities and thus fell under its remit. US states. Each US state has their own financial regulators and laws, and each approaches bitcoin differently. California and New York have been particularly aggressive in their pursuit of bitcoin-related organizations, for example, while others, such as New Mexico, South Carolina, and Montana, don’t regulate money transmitting businesses. A list of state approaches to money transmitter laws can be found here at http://www.moneytransmitterlaw.com/state-laws/. In May 2013, California’s state financial regulator issued a letter at https://www.coindesk.com/california-issues-cease-and-desist-letter-to-bitcoin-foundation/ to the Bitcoin Foundation, a non-profit organization designed to promote bitcoin, warning it that it may be a money transmission business, and threatening people there with potential fines and jail time. Then, in August 2013, the New York Department of Financial Services issued subpoenas at https://www.coindesk.com/new-york-state-financial-regulator-issues-subpoenas-to-bitcoin-companies/ to 22 bitcoin-related companies, although these letters were more conciliatory, asking for a dialogue to develop appropriate regulatory guidelines for the digital currency industry.
Since then, New York has acted more positively, with the state’s Superintendent of Financial Services, Benjamin M. Lawsky, announcing that it will accept applications at https://www.coindesk.com/new-york-accepting-applications-digital-currency-exchanges/ for digital currency exchanges. Lawsky indicated that these businesses will be regulated under new New York regulation, which he committed to having in place by the end of the second quarter of 2014. New York's BitLicense at https://www.coindesk.com/regulation/bitlicense/ was the first virtual currency-specific licensing regime to address bitcoin and digital currencies in the US. Developed by the New York State Department of Financial Services and released in June 2015, the regulation stands in contrast to decisions by US states such as Texas and Vermont to apply existing financial law to the use of the technology, as well as efforts in California to amend prior legislation. It has emerged as the most recent example of the challenge governments’ face when attempting to regulate an emerging technology. Recommended reading: Our in-depth Bitlicense Research Report at https://www.coindesk.com/research/bitlicense-report/. Private sector companies (banks). Several banks have stopped accounts at https://www.coindesk.com/commonwealth-bank-closes-coinjars-business-and-founders-personal-accounts/ owned by people operating bitcoin exchanges.
In at least one case at https://www.coindesk.com/canadian-bank-drops-btc-exchange/ this was because the bank was unhappy that the company involved did not have a money transmitting business (MTB) account. The US Senate addressed the issue of banking and federal regulation in a set of hearings held in November. The hearings were exploratory in nature and may not lead to legislation, but feedback from agencies included acknowledgements that there were legitimate uses for the coin. What this means to you. The legality of bitcoin depends on who you are, and what you’re doing with it. There are three main categories of bitcoin stakeholder. Someone may fall under more than one of these categories, and each category has its own legal considerations. Users. These are individuals that obtain Bitcoins, and either hoard them or spend them. Under the FinCEN guidance, users who simply exchange Bitcoins for goods and services are using it legally. FinCEN: “A person that creates units of this convertible virtual currency and uses it to purchase real or virtual goods and services is a user of the convertible virtual currency and not subject to regulation as a money transmitter.” Miners. According to the FinCEN guidance, people creating Bitcoins and exchanging them for fiat currency are not safe. FinCEN: “By contrast, a person that creates units of convertible virtual currency and sells those units to another person for real currency or its equivalent is engaged in transmission to another location and is a money transmitter.”
Miners seem to fall into this category, which could theoretically make them liable for MTB classification. This is a bone of contention for bitcoin miners, who have asked for clarification at https://www.coindesk.com/fincen-quizzed-on-mining-regs/. This issue has not to our knowledge been tested in court. Exchanges. Exchanges are defined as MTBs. FinCEN: “In addition, a person is an exchanger and a money transmitter if the person accepts such de-centralized convertible virtual currency from one person and transmits it to another person as part of the acceptance and transfer of currency, funds, or other value that substitutes for currency.” Taxation. In 2009, the US Internal Revenue Service (IRS) posted information about the tax applications of using virtual currencies inside virtual economies at https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2009/01/taxpayer-advocate-urges-irs-to-tax-economy-in-virtual-worlds/ arguing that taxpayers can receive income from a virtual economy and could be required to report it as taxable income. However, it based this largely on guidance related to bartering, gambling, business, and hobby income. However, the IRS has not yet posted guidance on ‘open flow’ virtual currencies that can be used outside of virtual economies. In a 27-page report [PDF] at http://www.gao.gov/assets/660/654620.pdf published in May 2013, the US General Accounting Office (GAO) called for more guidance at https://www.coindesk.com/irs-targets-bitcoin/ from the IRS on this issue.
The IRS responded that its guidance could now be taken to cover virtual currencies as used outside of virtual economies. It added that it was also looking at the potential tax compliance risks posed by anonymous electronic payment systems, and was working with other federal agencies on the topic. In June 2013, the director of an IRS unit that investigates cyber threats also told the Financial Times at http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/5c7a453e-cf97-11e2-a050-00144feab7de.html#axzz2cSJezz57 that the use of “cyber-based currency and payment systems” to hide unreported income from the IRS is a threat that it was “vigorously responding to”. And at Senate hearings in November, FinCEN director Jennifer Shasky Calvery confirmed that the IRS would be releasing more guidance on virtual currencies. In short, don’t expect to evade taxes by earning Bitcoins instead of fiat currency. What is the industry doing? The industry has responded to growing regulator concerns in several ways. Several companies created a committee to form a self-regulatory body called DATA at https://www.coindesk.com/bitcoin-industry-leaders-launch-data-a-self-regulatory-body/ designed to encourage open conversation with regulators. The Bitcoin Foundation formed committees at https://www.coindesk.com/bitcoin-foundation-forms-committees-for-legal-defence-and-regulation/ to offer legal guidance, steer policy, and liaise with regulators. Exchanges have been attempting to secure MTB licenses at the state and federal levels, and some have avoided doing business with US customers until this is resolved. Other countries.
Few governments have announced any explicit intention to prevent bitcoin use completely. However, around the end of 2013 and start of 2014 there were a series of warnings and directives from central banks and regulators to varying degrees of severity. They ranged from the simple “be careful, bitcoin is neither regulated nor officially a currency”, to blocks on financial institutions and even raids on bitcoin businesses. Many claim to be worried about the effect that large-scale bitcoin adoption might have on the stability of the financial system, especially if prices are volatile. Currently, Iceland, Bolivia, Ecuador, Kyrgyzstan and Vietnam are the only countries that seem to have some level of bitcoin ban in place – see the list below for more details; while others such as Russia and Thailand seemed to have outlawed digital currencies then backtracked. North America (non-US). Canada. Canada has announced at https://www.coindesk.com/canada-to-tax-bitcoin-users/ that it will tax Bitcoins in two ways. Transactions made for goods or services will be treated under its barter transaction rules, while its “Transactions in Securities” document says that profits made on commodity transactions could be income or capital. It confirmed these rules at in November 2013. In late March 2014, the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) published a new document at https://www.coindesk.com/canada-revenue-agency-tax-rules-apply-bitcoin/ outlining its position on the taxation of digital currencies, which highlighted out the differences between personal and business activities.
In essence, Canada will view the matter subjectively, on a case by case basis. When authorities deem the activities were undertaken for profit, the taxpayer’s income will be taxed with reference to the taxpayer’s inventory at the end of the year. Barter transactions are allowed, but the CRA states that the value of goods or services obtained by bartering digital currencies must be included into the taxpayer’s income, if business related. Losses through theft or embezzlement may be deductible. South America. Bolivia. El Banco Central de Bolivia, the central bank of the South American nation, has officially banned at https://www.coindesk.com/bolivias-central-bank-bans-bitcoin-digital-currencies/ any currency or coins not issued or regulated by the government, including bitcoin and a list of other crypto currencies including namecoin, peercoin, Quark, primecoin and Feathercoin. Issued on 6th May 2014, the new policy states: “It is illegal to use any kind of currency that is not issued and controlled by a government or an authorized entity.” The bank went on to say that citizens are prohibited from denominating prices in any currency that is not previously approved by its national institutions. Brazil. In April 2014, the Receita Federal, Brazil’s tax authority, established how it would treat the holding and usage of bitcoin and other digital currencies. Taking a stance similar to the one announced by the US Internal Revenue Service at https://www.coindesk.com/internal-revenue-service-treat-digital-currencies-property/ in March, Brazil is treating digital currencies as financial assets, with the Receita Federal imposing a 15% capital gains tax at the time of sale.
However, there are some key differences that have been generally viewed positively by bitcoin users in the country. Those who sell less coins with a value of less than 35,000 reals (R$), which is almost $16,000, will not have to pay the tax. This means that bitcoin users in Brazil won’t have to calculate capital gains taxes when making small consumer purchases. The Receita Federal is also requiring annual account declarations from those who possess more than R$1,000 in digital currency holdings. Colombia. The Superintendencia Financiera de Colombia (SFC) may be close to outlawing bitcoin at https://www.coindesk.com/report-claims-colombias-central-bank-may-enact-bitcoin-ban/ transactions in the South American country, a newspaper claimed on 20th March 2014. The report said that the SFC, in conjunction with Banco central de Colombia, Colombia’s central bank, and the Ministerio de Hacienda y Crédito Público, the executive body responsible for budgetary concerns, is preparing to issue a document outlining the government’s stance on bitcoin and bitcoin-related activities. A source connected to the Colombian Ministry of Finance told El Tiempo that the ban may very well focus on bitcoin handling activities, rather than outright purchase by consumers. CoinDesk is monitoring the situation and will update this guide as the story develops. Ecuador. In July 2014, the National Assembly of Ecuador effectively banned bitcoin at https://www.coindesk.com/ecuador-bans-bitcoin-legislative-vote/ and other decentralized digital currencies while, in a novel move, establishing guidelines for the creation of a new, state-run currency.
The law gives the government permission to make payments in ‘electronic money’, but digital currencies like bitcoin will now be prohibited. Mexico. On 12th March 2014, the Bank of Mexico issued its first statement at https://www.coindesk.com/bank-mexico-restricts-banks-bitcoin-reports-suggest/ on the issue of crypto currencies. The bank warned the public via a statement on its website about the “the inherent risks of acquiring these assets and using them as substitutes for conventional methods of payment”. The warning was generally similar to those issued by many of the world's central banks in recent months. However, most notable were potential restrictions for domestic financial institutions, that some reports implied might strangle bitcoin businesses. Translations of the statements suggest that financial institutions regulated in Mexico “are not authorized to use or carry out any operations with [digital currencies]". Whether that means banks may not deal directly in crypto currencies, or may not have relationships with companies that deal in them, is not yet clear. Europe. European Union. The EU’s banking regulator, The European Banking Authority (EBA), issued a warning statement at https://www.coindesk.com/eu-banking-regulator-warning-virtual-currencies/ on 13th December 2013 warning of investment risk, but focusing mainly on issues of fraud, tax evasion and other crime connected to virtual currency use.
More recently, in July 2014, the EBA published at https://www.coindesk.com/eba-financial-institutions-avoid-bitcoin-pending-regulation/ an ‘opinion’ warning financial institutions to stay away from digital currencies until the industry is regulated. In the document, which was addressed to the EU council, European Commission and European Parliament, the EBA set out new requirements for the regulation of digital currencies and also instructed financial institutions not to buy, hold or sell digital currencies until new rules are in place. Belgium. The National Bank of Belgium has no intention at https://www.coindesk.com/belgian-regulators-issue-joint-bitcoin-warning/ of intervening in bitcoin business or regulating it, says the Belgium Bitcoin Association at http://www.bitcoinassociation.be/#/home. On 16th January 2014, however, the central bank issued a joint warning at https://www.coindesk.com/belgian-regulators-issue-joint-bitcoin-warning/with the Belgian Financial Services and Markets Authority (FSMA) that digital currencies are not issued by any central authority, and as such are at risk of volatility, fraud, and business non-acceptance. Bulgaria. Bulgaria’s National Revenue Agency (NRA), the government organisation in charge of administering state taxes and social security contributions in the eastern European nation, has issued new taxation guidelines for digital currency.
In a post at http://www.nap.bg/news?id=1815 on 2nd April, the NRA indicated that income from the sale of digital currencies such as bitcoin will be treated as income from the sale of financial assets and taxed at a rate of 10%. Effectively, earnings from bitcoin trades will be taxed on the same level as ordinary income and corporate income in Bulgaria. Cyprus. Long an offshore financial services hub, Cyprus has entered the bitcoin fray with enthusiasm and aims to be a hub for bitcoin business in the EU and surrounding territories. It is also home to the world’s first brick and mortar bitcoin savings institution, Neo at https://www.coindesk.com/bank-like-bitcoin-portal-neo-opens-first-branch-cyprus/ (and its payment processing partner Bee). Still, the Central Bank of Cyprus issued a statement at https://www.coindesk.com/mt-gox-sell-cyprus-warns-bitcoin-volatility/ on 7th February 2014 warning about Bitcoin’s volatility and reminding citizens it is not recognized as legal tender. Denmark. So far the Danish authorities have stopped short of regulating digital currencies, although a stern warning was issued in which bitcoin et al. were compared to "glass beads" at https://www.coindesk.com/danish-national-bank-compares-bitcoins-glass-beads/ a reference presumably to an ancient method of trading baubles of little worth. More significant is the nation's stance on the taxation of bitcoin for general transactions. Because it is not considered "real", physical money, bitcoin is considered a private asset and any gains are tax exempt; similarly, losses are not deductible.
However, for companies whose sole business is related to trading or speculating in digital currencies, gains will be taxed. By how much remains to be seen. Estonia. Estonia's central bank has not issued a formal statement on bitcoin but one of its managers wrote to Bloomberg at https://www.coindesk.com/estonian-central-bank-warns-bitcoin-ponzi-scheme/ on 31st January 2014 calling bitcoin a "problematic scheme", warning investors assumed all risks and reminding people that bitcoin businesses have been known to disappear overnight with customers' money. Finland. Finland issued a regulatory guide to bitcoin in September 2013, which imposed capital gains tax on Bitcoins, and taxes Bitcoins produced by mining as earned income. In January 2014, bitcoin was classified as a commodity after the Scandinavian country’s central bank declared that it did not meet the definition of a currency. France. The French Senate held hearings at https://www.coindesk.com/french-senate-holds-hearings-bitcoin-digital-currencies/ into bitcoin and digital currencies in mid-January 2014 that were considered mostly investigatory and positive in tone. The focus was mainly on the opportunities presented by the new technology and how existing laws and organizations could be used to catch wrongdoers. Making bitcoin illegal was not an option, according to observers, and France needed to catch up to neighbouring countries in its approach.
More recently, on 5th April, the French Ministry of Economy and Finance said that, while bitcoin is not officially recognized by the state, revenues generated from digital currency transactions are subject to taxation. “All taxpayers are required to declare all their revenues, including those originating from abroad. This said, there is a certain tolerance [from the state authorities] regarding minor and irregular revenues, for instance from occasional sales,” a spokesperson for the French ministry told Le Monde at http://www.lemonde.fr/argent/article/2014/04/07/rapatrier-ses-bitcoins-et-les-declarer-ou-non_4396877_1657007.html?xtmc=bitcoin&xtcr=4. Germany. Germany is perhaps the most advanced country when it comes to regulating bitcoin and virtual currencies. Although some issues remain unresolved, the German government has exempted at https://www.coindesk.com/german-government-relieves-capital-gains-tax-on-bitcoin-positions/ bitcoin transactions held for over one year from 25% capital gains tax. It also categorized at https://www.coindesk.com/germany-official-recognises-bitcoin-as-private-money/ bitcoin as a form of private money. In early January 2014 the Bundesbank repeated a warning at https://www.coindesk.com/german-central-bank-official-issues-another-bitcoin-warning/ that bitcoin was “not an alternative to national currencies”, and values were “highly speculative”. Greece. Greece, quite remarkably, has also taken time out from its years-long government spending-related financial crisis to warn you at https://www.coindesk.com/bank-of-greece-breaks-silence-bitcoin/ about the dangers of bitcoin.
Iceland. One of only two countries to have instigated a ban on bitcoin and other digital currencies due to capital controls resulting from the banking crisis of 2008. Personal ownership does not seem to be an issue, rather buying (importing) Bitcoins from outside the country is illegal because it constitutes a movement of capital out of the country. Furthermore, selling products or services for crypto currencies is also prohibited. The locally created digital currency auroracoin at https://www.coindesk.com/cryptocurrency-auroracoin-every-person-iceland/ recently made headlines with its 'Airdrop' to all Icelandic citizens and is not illegal due to its provenance within the country. However, Iceland's Economic and Trade Committee of Parliament recently met to discuss taxation of auroracoin at https://www.coindesk.com/icelandic-parliament-committee-holds-closed-session-discuss-auroracoin/ and to see whether it falls within the capital controls that restrict bitcoin. At the same time they warned of the risks of using the altcoin, which they said is not a currency or regulated by the central banking authorities. Frosti Sigurjónsson, Chairman of the committee, even went as far as to say: “There is evidence however that this is a case of ‘a money scam’ and illegal” on his blog. Lithuania. Lithuania, wedged between the European Union and its largest trading partner, Russia, issued a warning at the end of January and hinted at a ban on non-government currencies, but later tempered the statement by saying at https://www.coindesk.com/russia-lithuania-europe-bitcoin-regulation/ new regulation was "under discussion".
The Netherlands. Holland in typically liberal style has tacitly assented to the use of digital currencies by issuing guidelines on their tax status. Logically, bitcoin and other crypto coins are treated as any other currency for tax purposes. Slovenia. Slovenia is one of the more permissive governments towards digital currency use, though regulators there issued a statement at https://www.coindesk.com/slovenia-clarifies-position-cryptocurrency-tax/ on 24th December 2013 to remind people that bitcoin is considered neither a currency nor a financial instrument. The country’s Tax Administration and Ministry of Finance also said that bitcoin is subject to income tax like any other non-monetary income, and would be calculated based on the bitcoin-Euro exchange rate at the time of transaction. Selling bitcoin would not be subjected to capital gains tax. Sweden. Sweden’s Finansinspektionen financial regulator now considers bitcoin as a means of payment, following guidance issued last year. Exchanges must register with the regulator and meet the requirements faced by other financial institutions. Russia. “The official Russian currency is the rouble. The use of any other monetary instruments or surrogates is forbidden,” announced Russia’s General Prosecutor’s Office at https://www.coindesk.com/btce-pulls-support-ruble-russia-bans-bitcoin/ in early February 2014.
“The anonymous payment systems and crypto-currencies, including bitcoin [...] are monetary surrogates. As such, their use by private citizens or legal entities is not allowed.” So, bitcoin and other digital currencies seemed to have been are banned in Russia to the shock of the bitcoin world. However, on 6th March, Russia seemed to soften its stance at https://www.coindesk.com/russias-anti-bitcoin-stance-may-softening-reports-say/ in a letter at http://bitcoininfo.ru/zametki/tsb-ne-zapretil-bitkoin-perevod-vestochka20 from the central bank to an individual who had asked for clarification. In it they said that a meeting of top Russian financial authorities in February did not result in a bitcoin ban, but rather was devoted to “combating crimes in the sphere of the economy devoted to the use of anonymous payment systems and crypto currencies on the territory of Russia”. Furthermore, the goal of the meeting was also to “develop a unified approach to the determination of the legal status of crypto currencies”. The exact status of crypto currencies in Russia is still a grey area. However, on 1st August 2014 the Ministry of Finance announced proposals at https://www.coindesk.com/russian-ministry-of-finance-drafts-bill-banning-bitcoin to ban the issuance of bitcoin and any operations involving crypto currency. If approved, the ban will likely see those who break the new laws end up in jail.
Ukraine. Despite the unstable political situation in early 2014, Ukraine's central bank has still managed to issue statements at https://www.coindesk.com/ukraine-regulate-bitcoin-businesses-existing-laws/ on digital currencies, saying related businesses "must register with the agency and abide by existing laws related to the management of electronic money". United Kingdom. Meetings with policymakers in the UK in September 2013 suggested that bitcoin-based businesses would not have to register with regulators, at least for the time being, while they consider their regulatory position. For a while, the UK suggested at https://www.coindesk.com/bitcoin-uk-hmrc-suggests-bitcoins-taxable-vouchers/ that Bitcoins wouldn’t be treated as money, but would instead be classified as single-purpose vouchers, which could carry a value-added tax (sales tax) liability on any Bitcoins that are sold. However, this idea was reversed in guidance issued on 3rd March at http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/briefs/vat/brief0914.htm. Although the UK tax department, HMRC, stepped back from explicitly recognising bitcoin as a currency, its approach effectively treats it like any other form of payment for tax purposes: “In all instances, VAT will be due in the normal way from suppliers of any goods or services sold in exchange for bitcoin or other similar crypto currency.” Most recently, on 6th August 2014, Chancellor George Osborne announced a new initiative at https://www.coindesk.com/george-osborne-unveils-uk-plans-explore-bitcoin/ that will explore the potential role of crypto currencies in Britain’s economy.
Osborne said he has commissioned the Treasury to produce a programme of work on crypto currencies, examining their potential risks and benefits. The results, due to be published in the autumn, could pave the way toward a new regulatory framework for crypto currencies in Britain. As a UK Crown dependency, the Isle of Man is self-governing and has also made moves over recent months to set itself up as a regulated but bitcoin-friendly jurisdiction. In July 2014, the island's Financial Supervision Commission clarified the application of existing regulations at https://www.coindesk.com/isle-man-clarifies-regulation-digital-currency-businesses/ on bitcoin, indicating that digital currency businesses will not be subject to a conduct of business or prudential regime by the commission unless they engage in activities regulated under the Financial Services Act of 2008, such as money transmission services. The commission also said it is in the process of drafting a new bill that will provide it with the ability to oversee how digital currency operators comply with AML/CFT legislation. Asia. China: People's Republic of China. China’s authorities have had arguably the biggest impact on bitcoin adoption and values in the past months. In early December 2013, the People's Bank of China (PBoC) issued a statement at https://www.coindesk.com/price-crashes-china-outlaws-bitcoin-financial-institutions/ warning of Bitcoin risks and banning financial institutions from engaging in bitcoin business themselves or transferring funds to/from bitcoin exchanges.
Another statement, just days later, also blocked third-party payment processors from dealing with exchanges, and the price of bitcoin worldwide crashed from its record high of over $1200 by about 50%. The moves have had a dramatic effect at https://www.coindesk.com/chinas-bitcoin-exchanges-survived-the-crackdown-battle-aftermath/ on the market share of large bitcoin exchanges in the country. In mid-January, a PBoC official claimed at https://www.coindesk.com/chinese-central-bank-official-dont-want-suppress-bitcoin/ there is no move to suppress or discriminate against bitcoin in China, and exchanges have been allowed to remain open for business. There does seem to be an official campaign to limit bitcoin trade to the fringes, however, and China’s state-owned business TV channel broadcasted a documentary at https://www.coindesk.com/chinese-government-backed-tv-program-bashes-bitcoin-outrages-community/ the same week full of dire warnings about risks to investors from price volatility. China: Hong Kong. Hong Kong’s Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury issued a warning at https://www.coindesk.com/hong-kong-treasury-official-issues-bitcoin-warning/ about risks associated with bitcoin on 9th January 2014. The Special Administrative Region (SAR) of China and financial hub has remained otherwise hands-off in its approach to bitcoin, saying it does not pose a risk to the financial system if it is not widely adopted.
Indonesia. Indonesia’s central bank, Bank Indonesia at http://www.bi.go.id/%E2%80%8E issued a warning at https://www.coindesk.com/indonesia-central-bank-warns-bitcoin-use/ on 16th January 2014 that bitcoin was not regarded as a currency and accepting it as payment might even break national currency laws. No subsequent action against exchange businesses has been taken as yet, however. India. India’s central bank is said to be “watching” bitcoin at http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2013-08-14/news/41409715_1_bitcoin-gox-virtual-currency. In a series of dramatic moves, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) issued a warning at https://www.coindesk.com/reserve-bank-india-issues-virtual-currency-warning/ about bitcoin in late December 2013, which was followed almost immediately by exchanges choosing to suspend operations at https://www.coindesk.com/indian-bitcoin-exchanges-suspend-operations-following-rbi-warning/. One exchange had its premises raided at https://www.coindesk.com/indian-authorities-swoop-buysellbitco/ and another was paid a “friendly” visit by tax officials to investigate how digital currencies could be managed and taxed. Some exchanges have since re-opened at https://www.coindesk.com/indian-bitcoin-exchange-unocoin-back-online-shutdown/ for business. Japan. At present there are no laws covering crypto currencies in the country. However, since the collapse of bitcoin exchange Mt. Gox at https://www.coindesk.com/mt-gox-files-bankruptcy-claims-63-6m-debt/ and the attention that garnered from the international media, Japan seems to have been pressurised into taking some action.
Initially it appealed for a coordinated effort at https://www.coindesk.com/japan-pushes-international-effort-bitcoin-regulation/from the international community to agree on regulation. More recently, Japan’s ruling party, the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) has launched an committee at http://www3.nhk.or.jp/news/html/20140305/k10015738271000.html to investigate crypto currencies, and issued a statement at https://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5hJ8-YllB572BnBFZEtaY1D-bwERw?docId=77078b20-fc20-4a1c-a70f-2e42a613d395 saying it is “not a currency, but taxable”. Currently the situation seems to be that bitcoin will be treated as a good and is subject to taxation if transactions fulfil standing tax requirements. Gains on exchange rates are taxable too. The government has also blocked related banks from “brokering bitcoin transactions or opening accounts holding the virtual unit”. Exactly what constitutes a ‘bitcoin account’ remains unknown, but it presumably refers to one with a known bitcoin service like Blockchain.info or Coinbase. The Japanese government is, however, generally curious about bitcoin and will not make any further statements on the matter until it has discussed matters with local bitcoin interests, a government representative has said. Kyrgyzstan. The National Bank of the Kyrgyz Republic, the central bank of the Central Asian nation, has said that the use of bitcoin and other digital currencies as a form of payment is currently illegal at https://www.coindesk.com/kyrgyzstan-bitcoin-payments-violate-state-law/ under national law.
Issued this July, the notice at http://www.nbkr.kg/all_news.jsp?news_type=NBKRNews&lang=ENG states that the only legal tender in Kyrgyzstan is the national currency, the som (KGS), and that as such any use of bitcoin for payment violates this policy. Malaysia. Malaysia’s central bank, Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) at http://www.bnm.gov.my/ issued one of the shortest statements at https://www.coindesk.com/malaysian-central-bank-no-plans-regulate-bitcoin/ of its kind on 4th January, cautioning people to be careful when investing in bitcoin but otherwise saying simply, “The Central Bank does not regulate the operations of bitcoin”. Singapore. Singapore is another major international financial services hub and appears to be one of the world’s most permissive environments for bitcoin. The Monetary Authority of Singapore at http://www.mas.gov.sg/ has stated at https://www.coindesk.com/singapore-regulators-interfere-bitcoin/ it “will not interfere” with bitcoin business, despite an earlier warning at http://business.asiaone.com/news/bitcoin-users-beware-mas in September 2013 of the risks. In mid-January 2014 Singapore’s taxation authority, the Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore (IRAS) sent a statement at https://www.coindesk.com/singapore-government-how-we-intend-tax-bitcoin/ to local brokerage Coin Republic at http://coinrepublic.com/ with details on how bitcoin business would be taxed. Bitcoin will be treated not as a currency, but as either a good or asset, said IRAS.
As a good it would be subject to GST (VAT or sales tax) when traded to and from local currency by Singapore-resident businesses and goods purchased with bitcoin would also be subject to sales tax. As an investment asset, bitcoin would not be taxed as Singapore does not have a capital gains tax. Most recently, on March 13th 2014, MAS announced it will regulate virtual currency exchanges and ATMs at https://www.coindesk.com/singapore-regulate-bitcoin-exchanges-atms/ in order to address potential money laundering and terrorist financing risks. Such intermediaries will have to verify the identities of their customers and report any suspicious transactions. Taiwan (Republic of China). The Financial Supervisory Commission of the Republic of China and the Central Bank of the ROC issued a joint statement at https://www.coindesk.com/taiwan-welcomes-new-year-bitcoin-warning/ at the very beginning of 2014 warning against bitcoin use in Taiwan. Regulators there have also said they will block any attempt at https://www.coindesk.com/taiwan-regulators-block-robocoin-bitcoin-atms/ to install Robocoin bitcoin ATMs. Thailand. On March 18th 2014, after flip-flopping on the issue for the last nine months, the Bank of Thailand issued its first clear statement on bitcoin at https://www.coindesk.com/bank-thailand-says-bitcoin-illegal-warns-use/ warning consumers that it is not a currency and that its use comes with inherent risks.
The statement bears similarities to others issued from central banks around the world, but could be considered an improvement in the legal status of bitcoin users, as Thailand was widely considered to have implemented a bitcoin ban at https://www.coindesk.com/bank-of-thailand-allegedly-declares-bitcoin-illegal-thai-exchange-suspends-trading/ in the summer of 2013. One issue in Thailand is not so much the legality of owning bitcoin, but whether exchanges qualify for a licence to trade in crypto currencies, which could be considered a foreign exchange activity and therefore illegal. Hopefully, the legal status of exchanges in the light of the new statement will become clear in coming days. Vietnam. The second country in this list (and the world) to have banned bitcoin: Vietnam's central bank forbade financial institutions at https://www.coindesk.com/vietnam-warns-against-bitcoin-invokes-the-ghost-gox/ from using digital currencies as a means of payment or from offering services in exchange for them back in February 2014. The country had previously warned against their use, stating that the government and State Bank did not recognize bitcoin as a legitimate method of payment. All that considered, some small bitcoin businesses are still plying their trade at https://www.coindesk.com/international-effort-boosts-bitcoin-vietnam/ in the Southeast Asian country and a bitcoin conference is to be held there in May.
Middle East. Israel. The Israeli Tax Authority was said to be at https://www.coindesk.com/israeli-government-reportedly-mulling-bitcoin-tax/ considering a tax on bitcoin, but no further statements have been made at the time of writing. The Bank of Israel (BoI) and the Israeli Ministry of Finance issued a joint statement at https://www.coindesk.com/israeli-regulators-issue-joint-warning-cryptocurrencies/ in February 2014 warning of investment risks as well as the dangers digital currencies posed as vehicles for fraud, money laundering and terror financing. However, the Israel Bar Association at http://www.haaretz.com/news/national/.premium-1.539001 ruled in August 2013 that bitcoin “is an appropriate form of payment for attorneys” and authorized its members to accept it. Jordan. The Central Bank of Jordan has also issued a similar warning of digital currencies' unregulated status in February 2014 and has prohibited banks, financial companies, payment processors and currency exchangers from dealing with them, particularly bitcoin. Lebanon. The country’s central bank, the Bank of Lebanon, issued a warning at https://www.coindesk.com/lebanons-bank-bitcoin-warning/ statement on 2nd January 2014 saying that bitcoin did not offer consumer protections, had a volatile price and was often used in criminal transactions.
It advised people not to use digital currencies. Oceania. New Zealand. Both the Governor and Assistant Governor at the Reserve Bank of New Zealand (RBNZ) at http://www.rbnz.govt.nz/ issued personal warnings at https://www.coindesk.com/central-bank-new-zealand-australia-bitcoin-warning/ in mid-December 2013, warning of risks associated with volatility, but also commenting that the technology was “interesting”. Australia. While the Governor of the Reserve Bank of Australia at http://www.rba.gov.au/ has previously warned of “speculative excesses”, the Australian Tax Office (ATO) at https://www.ato.gov.au/ has now provided businesses with guidelines on how it intends at https://www.coindesk.com/australian-tax-office-explains-bitcoin-tax/ to deal with bitcoin, stating that income and profits derived from bitcoin transactions are taxable. In a letter to an individual, the ATO said that transferring Bitcoins to a private company in return for shares would count as income, and that transferring Bitcoins to another party would be subject to Goods and Services Tax (GST). Bitcoin profits would also be subject to capital gains tax, it said.
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