Cryptocurrency Regulations in Croatia Prior to 2023

Before 2023, Croatia had a legal framework that allowed for the use, purchase, sale, and trading of cryptocurrencies, although these digital assets were not recognized as legal tender. The legislative and regulatory landscape was shaped by several key aspects:

Legal Status of Cryptocurrencies: Cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin, Dogecoin, and others, were legal in Croatia. Citizens were permitted to own and trade these digital currencies, but they were not recognized as a formal currency by the Croatian government​​.

Regulatory Bodies and Compliance: The Croatian Financial Services Supervisory Agency (HANFA) and the Croatian National Bank (HNB) were the primary regulatory bodies overseeing the crypto market. They focused on combating illegal activities such as money laundering and fraud. Crypto exchanges and wallet providers were required to comply with Know Your Customer (KYC) and Anti-Money Laundering (AML) procedures, with failure to comply potentially leading to penalties, including fines and imprisonment​​.

General Financial Laws and Cryptocurrency Regulations: Croatia did not have specific laws for cryptocurrencies; instead, they fell under existing financial laws and regulations. Key regulations included:

Cryptocurrency Taxation: Profits from cryptocurrency trading were subject to capital gains tax.

Anti-Money Laundering: Crypto businesses had to comply with AML laws.

Know Your Customer: Crypto businesses were required to verify the identity of their customers​​.

Popularity of Cryptocurrencies: The most popular cryptocurrencies in Croatia were Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Litecoin, which had the highest trading volumes. Other digital currencies like Dogecoin, Tether, Cardano, USDT, XRP, and Monero were also gaining popularity​​.

Legality of Cryptocurrency Trading: Both individuals and businesses were allowed to trade cryptocurrencies legally in Croatia, provided they adhered to the country’s financial laws and regulations, including KYC and AML procedures​​.

Cryptocurrency Gambling: There was no specific law regulating or prohibiting cryptocurrency gambling in Croatia. However, general gambling laws applied to any gambling activity, including those involving cryptocurrencies, meaning such activities had to be licensed and regulated by the Croatian government​​.

In summary, Croatia’s approach to cryptocurrencies prior to 2023 was characterized by legal permissiveness within the framework of existing financial laws and regulations. The country did not have specific cryptocurrency laws but ensured that digital currency activities were compliant with general financial regulations, focusing particularly on anti-money laundering and tax compliance.