Crypto Laws by Country: What’s Allowed, Banned, and Regulated Around the World

When it comes to crypto laws by country, the rules governing digital assets vary wildly from one nation to another. Also known as cryptocurrency regulation, these laws decide whether you can buy Bitcoin, run a crypto exchange, or get taxed on your gains—often with serious legal consequences if you get it wrong. Some countries treat crypto like cash. Others treat it like contraband. And a few are building entire financial systems around it.

Take Iraq, a country that banned cryptocurrency outright in 2017. Also known as crypto ban, this move came from the Central Bank of Iraq, which fears loss of control over its currency. Meanwhile, Thailand, requires all crypto exchanges to get licensed by the SEC. Also known as crypto exchange rules, Thailand’s approach is strict but clear: if you want to operate, you follow their rules or get shut down. Then there’s India, where you can trade crypto but can’t use it to pay for goods. Also known as crypto tax by country, India taxes every trade, but keeps payments illegal to protect its digital rupee rollout. These aren’t random policies—they’re responses to real economic risks, technological fear, and political pressure.

It’s not just about buying and selling. Crypto laws by country also shape who can build apps, who gets fined, and where innovation dies. The UK once wanted to be the crypto capital of the world, but slow regulation and shifting politics left it behind. Brazil has dozens of local exchanges, but no clear federal rules yet. And in places like Nigeria and Argentina, crypto isn’t just an investment—it’s a way to protect savings from inflation when local currencies crash.

What you’ll find below is a collection of real, up-to-date breakdowns of how different governments handle crypto. From detailed reviews of exchange rules in Thailand to the truth behind Iraq’s ban, these posts cut through the noise. You’ll see which countries are moving toward regulation, which ones are doubling down on bans, and where the real risks—and opportunities—lie. No fluff. No guesswork. Just what’s actually happening, country by country.