Australia

Bitcoin Countries

Australia has a regulated and growing Bitcoin market, with cryptocurrency exchanges required to register with AUSTRAC for AML compliance. The country approved Bitcoin ETFs in 2024, giving institutional and retail investors access to regulated Bitcoin exposure. Australia has a significant Bitcoin adoption rate and an active Bitcoin developer and meetup community, particularly in Sydney and Melbourne.

Details

Since: 2024
Status: regulated_friendly
Notable: Spot Bitcoin ETFs approved 2024
Regulator: ASIC / AUSTRAC
Mining Legal: Yes
Notable Policy: Spot Bitcoin ETFs approved on ASX in June 2024; exchanges must register with AUSTRAC
Btc Etf Approved: Yes
Regulatory Stance: cautious_friendly
Bitcoin Legal Status: Legal; regulated under AUSTRAC and ASIC; treated as property for capital gains

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More Bitcoin Countries

El Salvador

El Salvador made history on June 9, 2021, as the first country to adopt Bitcoin as legal tender under President Nayib Bukele. The government continues to buy approximately 1 BTC per day, with its national treasury holding approximately 7,565 BTC as of February 2026. El Salvador built the state-sponsored Chivo wallet, launched volcanic geothermal Bitcoin mining operations, and proposed Bitcoin City — a special economic zone powered by a volcano. In 2025, El Salvador reached an IMF agreement that modified Bitcoin's legal tender status while maintaining its Bitcoin treasury strategy.

Switzerland

Switzerland is one of the most Bitcoin-friendly countries in the world, with the canton of Zug (dubbed "Crypto Valley") accepting Bitcoin for government services since 2016. Several Swiss cantons accept Bitcoin for tax payments, the country has clear digital asset property rights, and Switzerland is home to dozens of major Bitcoin and blockchain companies. Swiss banks like SEBA and Sygnum Bank offer institutional Bitcoin services, and the Swiss National Bank has explored digital asset frameworks.

United Arab Emirates

The United Arab Emirates has positioned itself as a global hub for Bitcoin and crypto businesses, with dedicated regulatory regimes in Dubai (Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority — VARA) and Abu Dhabi (ADGM). Abu Dhabi holds Bitcoin through the Phoenix Group, a publicly listed Bitcoin mining company. Major crypto exchanges including Binance have received licenses to operate in the UAE. The country's zero income tax, strategic location, and regulatory clarity have attracted significant Bitcoin institutional and mining infrastructure.