Antigua and Barbuda legally defines cryptocurrencies as "Digital Assets" or "Virtual Digital Assets." The country has established a regulated environment for digital assets through its comprehensive Digital Assets Business Act of 2020, alongside the Securities Act of 2020, Investment Funds Act of 2020, and the Money Laundering (Prevention) (Amendment) Act of 2021. This framework means that crypto businesses operating within the jurisdiction require licensing and are subject to comprehensive regulatory oversight. Stablecoins and Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs) are explicitly included within the definition of digital assets. The Financial Services Regulatory Commission (FSRC) serves as the primary authority overseeing the digital asset business sector. The Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) also holds oversight responsibilities for digital asset licensing. For individual crypto investors, Antigua and Barbuda imposes no personal income tax and no capital gains tax. This means that any gains derived from buying, selling, or swapping cryptocurrencies are entirely exempt from taxation. There is no distinction made between short-term and long-term gains, all profits are treated as tax-free regardless of how long the assets were held. While individuals face minimal tax reporting obligations, digital asset businesses are required to maintain comprehensive records and comply with anti-money laundering regulations. Corporate entities involved in crypto-related activities are subject to the standard corporate tax rate of 25%. A Value Added Tax (VAT) of 15% applies specifically to crypto-related services, not on the cryptocurrency transactions themselves. Regarding specific crypto activities, staking rewards, mining rewards, and participation in Decentralized Finance (DeFi) activities like yield farming or providing liquidity are not subject to taxation for individuals. Similarly, the creation, purchase, or sale of NFTs results in no tax liability due to the absence of personal income and capital gains taxes. Converting cryptocurrency to fiat currency or swapping one cryptocurrency for another are also considered non-taxable events for individuals.
Tax Rates
| Effective individual rate | 0 |
| Capital gains tax | 0% |
| Income tax on crypto | 0% |
| Corporate tax | 25% |
| VAT | 15% on crypto-related services |
Activity Taxes
| Staking | Not taxed |
| Mining | Not taxed |
| DeFi | Not taxed |
| NFTs | Not taxed |
Taxable Events
| Crypto → Fiat | Not taxable |
| Crypto → Crypto | Not taxable |
Holding Period
| Holding period benefit | All gains exempt regardless of holding period |
Sources