In Guyana, cryptocurrencies are legal to own and trade, but they are not classified as legal tender and lack specific legal recognition. The Central Bank of Guyana has issued warnings regarding the inherent risks associated with virtual assets, indicating a cautious stance from national authorities. The Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) is responsible for tax administration in the country. However, there is no dedicated legal framework or specific guidance from the GRA concerning cryptocurrency taxation. Consequently, crypto activities are generally assumed to fall under existing general income tax legislation, which creates significant ambiguity for investors. For individuals, general income tax rates ranging from 28% to 40% are expected to apply to income derived from crypto, though this remains unconfirmed with crypto-specific official guidance. Guyana imposes a 20% capital gains tax on property, but it is unclear whether this rate extends to gains from cryptocurrency. There are no reduced rates or exemptions based on holding periods for crypto assets. Corporate tax rates are the standard 25% to 40%, with no distinct provisions for crypto-related profits. The general Value Added Tax (VAT) is 14%, but its application to cryptocurrency transactions has not been addressed by authorities. Specific crypto activities such as staking, mining, Decentralized Finance (DeFi), and Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs) currently lack explicit tax treatment. Any income generated from these activities would likely be assessed under general business income rules, but official clarification is absent. The tax implications for converting crypto to fiat currency or engaging in crypto-to-crypto swaps are also unclear, potentially falling under general income tax principles without specific guidance. Regarding future developments, the Guyanese government has indicated it is not yet ready to implement dedicated cryptocurrency regulations. A statement from the Vice President in 2025 noted that financial reforms are necessary before specific crypto regulation can be considered, despite an acknowledged need for a clearer tax framework in this evolving sector.
Tax Rates
| Effective individual rate | 28 |
| Capital gains tax | 20% on property gains, crypto treatment unclear |
| Income tax on crypto | 28-40% under general income tax, no crypto-specific guidance |
| Corporate tax | 25-40% standard rate, no crypto distinction |
| VAT | 14% general VAT, crypto transactions not addressed |
Activity Taxes
| Staking | Potentially taxed as business income, no specific guidance |
| Mining | Potentially taxed as business income, no specific guidance |
| DeFi | No specific treatment, general income rules may apply |
| NFTs | No specific treatment, general income rules may apply |
Taxable Events
| Crypto → Fiat | Potentially taxable under general rules, unclear |
| Crypto → Crypto | Potentially taxable under general rules, unclear |
Holding Period
| Holding period benefit | No reduced rates or exemptions for holding periods |
Sources