How crypto is regulated around the world

Most major economies now regulate crypto instead of banning it. The common pattern is a license for companies that hold or trade crypto for customers, plus anti-money-laundering checks. This tour reflects the position as of October 2026.

Europe

• European Union. One law, MiCA, applies in every member state. Licensing for service providers has applied since December 30, 2024. The transition period for existing firms ended on July 1, 2026.
• United Kingdom. The Financial Conduct Authority regulates crypto. Full authorization is due to start on October 25, 2027.

Asia

• Japan. Parliament passed a law on July 15, 2026 that moves crypto from payments law to the Financial Instruments and Exchange Act. It bans insider trading in crypto and raises penalties for unregistered operators, Jiji Press reported.
• Singapore. The Monetary Authority of Singapore licenses crypto firms. Since June 30, 2025, firms based in Singapore that serve only overseas customers have also needed a license.
• Hong Kong. Trading platforms have needed a license from the Securities and Futures Commission since June 1, 2023. A law requiring stablecoin issuers to be licensed by the Hong Kong Monetary Authority took effect on August 1, 2025. Mainland China, by contrast, bans crypto business.
• India. Crypto is legal but has no dedicated law. Gains are taxed at a flat 30%, and a 1% tax is withheld on transfers above a small threshold. Since March 2023, exchanges have had to register with the Financial Intelligence Unit under anti-money-laundering law.

Middle East, Americas and Pacific

• United Arab Emirates. Dubai has a dedicated regulator, the Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority. It oversees crypto across the emirate except in the Dubai International Financial Centre.
• Canada. A Stablecoin Act became law in March 2026. Issuers will have to register with the Bank of Canada, hold full reserves and redeem at face value. The law is expected to take effect in 2027, according to the law firm DLA Piper.
• Australia. Parliament passed the Digital Assets Framework bill on April 1, 2026. Crypto exchanges and custody platforms will need an Australian Financial Services Licence, after a transition period.
• United States. Oversight is split among agencies and states. A federal stablecoin law, the GENIUS Act, was signed in July 2025.

What do these regimes have in common?

Three things recur. Companies that hold customers' crypto need a license. They must identify customers under standards set by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), the global anti-money-laundering body. And stablecoin issuers face reserve and redemption rules.

Most regimes say little about decentralized finance, where no company stands in the middle. FATF said in July 2026 that significant gaps remain in how countries license and supervise crypto firms.

Rules differ by country, and in the US by state, and they change often. Check the national regulator's website or a qualified professional before relying on any summary.