Jurisdiction Crypto: Where Crypto Is Legal, Banned, or Regulated Around the World
When it comes to jurisdiction crypto, the legal status of cryptocurrency varies wildly from country to country, affecting everything from trading to mining and even personal use. Also known as crypto regulation by country, this isn’t just about rules—it’s about survival in the crypto world. If you hold Bitcoin, stake Ethereum, or trade on a decentralized exchange, where you live determines whether you’re compliant, at risk, or completely blocked.
Take Nigeria, a country that went from banning crypto in 2021 to fully regulating it by 2025, letting banks support exchanges and the SEC oversee licensed platforms. Or Bolivia, which lifted its decade-long crypto ban in mid-2024, leading to $294 million in crypto trades within six months. Meanwhile, Tunisia, still enforces a complete crypto ban since 2018, making it illegal to buy, sell, or even mine digital assets. These aren’t abstract policies—they directly impact your wallet.
Some countries don’t ban crypto but make it painfully hard to use. In India, mining isn’t illegal, but a 30% tax on mined coins, 1% TDS, and 18% GST turn profits into losses. AI-powered monitoring makes evasion risky. In Thailand, foreign P2P platforms like Bybit and OKX were shut down in 2025, forcing users onto local, licensed exchanges only. And in Iceland, ISX (now Orange Gateway) is the only legal exchange, offering BTC with ISK—but high fees and limited coins make it a niche option.
Even when crypto is legal, the rules change fast. The Central Bank of Nigeria, once hostile to crypto, now licenses exchanges and allows bank integration. In contrast, the SEC in Bangladesh doesn’t exist—yet over 600,000 people still use Binance through P2P networks, bypassing the ban entirely. This shows that regulation doesn’t always stop adoption—it just pushes it underground.
What ties these stories together? Jurisdiction crypto isn’t just about laws—it’s about power. Who controls the money? Who gets taxed? Who gets locked out? The answers shape how you store, trade, and even think about crypto. If you’re holding tokens from a project that vanished overnight—like HUSL or ANK—you’re not just facing a scam. You’re facing a jurisdiction that didn’t protect you. If you’re staking ETH or using EURC for payments, you’re relying on a legal framework that lets you do it safely.
Below, you’ll find real-world cases that show exactly how crypto laws play out—from the failed airdrops in Nigeria and Tunisia to the regulated exchanges in Iceland and Bolivia. No theory. No fluff. Just what’s actually happening on the ground, where your crypto lives—or dies.
- By Eva van den Bergh
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- 22 Nov 2025
Understanding Your Jurisdiction's Crypto Laws and Regulations in 2025
Crypto laws vary wildly by country. Know your jurisdiction's rules in 2025 to avoid fines, frozen funds, or worse. Learn what's legal, taxed, and regulated where you live.