Cryptocurrency Taxation Regulation: A Comparative Analysis of Tax Law
Keywords:
Cryptocurrency taxation, digital taxation, tax regulation, comparative law, regulatory frameworkAbstract
Cryptocurrencies have emerged as a challenge for traditional tax systems, requiring specific regulations to ensure their taxation and prevent tax evasion. This study aimed to analyze how the regulation of cryptocurrency taxation has been oriented in comparative law, with a particular focus on the cases of the United States, the United Kingdom, and Germany. A comparative method was used, based on the documentary analysis of regulatory frameworks, government reports, and academic literature, employing Inductive-Deductive, Analytical-Synthetic, and historical-logical approaches. The results show that the United States and the United Kingdom treat cryptocurrencies as property, imposing capital gains and ordinary income taxes, with rates varying according to the taxpayer's income. Germany, on the other hand, classifies cryptocurrencies as private money and exempts from capital gains tax those who hold them for more than a year, incentivizing long-term holding and providing a clear framework for businesses. Ecuador, for its part, prohibits the use of private cryptocurrencies and lacks specific tax regulation for these assets. In conclusion, it is proposed that Ecuador adopts a hybrid approach, combining the studied models, allowing for the taxation of capital gains, exempting long-term investments, and establishing a clear regulatory framework for businesses in the sector. These reforms would contribute to fiscal transparency, attract investments, and foster financial innovation in the country.
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Copyright (c) 2025 Santiago Fernando Fiallos-Bonilla, Jennifer Karina Masaquiza-Mayorga, Katerine Mariel Mise-Panchi, Jefferson Jonathan Quezada-Márquez
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