SnowSqueak

🌍 1. Global overview - very patchy, not uniform

Crypto regulations are a patchwork - there is no unified global framework, only a mix of rules depending on the country.

According to multiple analyses:

Around 45 countries legally allow crypto (with clear or partial regulations).
Around 20 countries partially ban or restrict crypto (e.g., trading limits, banking restrictions).
About 10 countries have strict total bans on crypto activities. (icij.org)
➡ This means most of the world is not fully regulated - but crypto is not entirely banned either. (icij.org)

🇪🇺 2. EU: One of the most advanced frameworks

💥MiCA (Markets in Crypto‑Assets Regulation) was introduced as the first unified EU crypto regulation - covering licensing, AML rules, and transparency for crypto services, already in effect (2024–2026).

EU is now one of the strictest and most complete regulatory systems for crypto in the world. (investopedia.com)

🇺🇸 3. United States: Fragmented but active

💥The US has no single law covering all crypto - instead, SEC, CFTC, and other agencies regulate different aspects.
The GENIUS Act provides a framework for stablecoins (from 2025). (en.wikipedia.org)
New IRS / government reporting requirements for exchanges are increasing oversight. (ft.com)
Conclusion: The US is not as “fully regulated” as the EU, but regulation is actively being implemented.

🧭 4. Regional differences

👉Legal or partially legal:

📍 India, Japan, Brazil, UK, Philippines, Mexico, Indonesia - allow crypto ownership and trading under regulations. (timesofindia.indiatimes.com)

👉Strict bans or restrictions:

📍 China - banned crypto trading and transactions (digital yuan exists). (theguardian.com)
📍 Iran - blocks crypto transactions at the state level (2025). (en.wikipedia.org)
📍 Some countries like Algeria criminalize crypto entirely. (icij.org)

👉Crypto-friendly but regulated:

📍 UAE / Dubai - special laws for crypto and tokenized assets. (reddit.com)

🔎 5. Market oversight and tax rules

In many developed countries, crypto is taxable - capital gains and income must be reported. (ft.com)
Regulatory focus is increasingly on AML and terrorism financing (exchange registration with FIU, FATF standards). (timesofindia.indiatimes.com)

📌 Summary - “Where are we on the regulation scale?”

Crypto regulation today is:

✅ Much more advanced than 5 years ago - many countries have laws and licensing

⚠️ No globally uniform rules = systems are fragmented and inconsistent

❗ Rules are evolving rapidly - countries are adopting AML, tax, and licensing standards quickly

📊 Most of the world is not fully regulated, but also not completely unregulated

In short:
Crypto regulation is moving from a “wild west” phase toward formal rules, but we are still in the mid-stage of regulation, with significant differences between regions and countries. (icij.org) #dyor #CryptoRegulations