International Crypto Laws: What Countries Allow, Ban, and Seize

When it comes to international crypto laws, the patchwork of rules across nations that determine whether crypto is legal, taxed, banned, or tightly controlled. Also known as global cryptocurrency regulations, these laws dictate everything from who can trade to whether your coins can be frozen by the government. There’s no global rulebook—just a wild mix of open markets, heavy restrictions, and outright bans. Some countries treat crypto like cash. Others treat it like a threat.

Take crypto exchange licenses, official government permits required for platforms to operate legally within a country. Also known as digital asset service provider (DASP) licenses, they’re now mandatory in places like Singapore, where failing to get one means instant shutdown. In Nigeria, the ban lifted in 2025—but only after a messy year of police raids and confusion. Now, only exchanges registered under ISA 2025 are legal, even if users still get harassed on the street. Meanwhile, Turkey lets you buy crypto but forbids using it to pay for coffee or rent. Their 2025 rules let authorities freeze accounts without a court order. That’s not regulation—it’s control.

And then there’s crypto seizure, when governments take digital assets from criminals—or sometimes, just from anyone they suspect. Also known as asset forfeiture in crypto, this isn’t rare anymore. The U.S., South Korea, and the UK have seized billions. Some sell it. Others hoard it, sitting on Ethereum and Bitcoin like digital gold reserves. Why? Because tracking crypto theft is easier than tracking cash. The ByBit hack in 2025? $1.5 billion stolen by North Korean hackers. That’s not just a loss—it’s a target. Governments now track wallets like bank accounts. And if you’re holding crypto tied to a known criminal address? You might get flagged. Even if you didn’t know.

The SEC crypto fines, penalties handed out by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission for unregistered token sales and unlicensed exchanges. Also known as crypto enforcement actions, they jumped 3,018% in 2024—mostly from one $4.5 billion case against a major exchange. This isn’t just about money. It’s about setting the tone. When the SEC goes after a DeFi protocol or a DEX, it’s telling the world: if you’re operating in the U.S. market, you’re subject to U.S. rules—even if you’re based in Estonia or Singapore. That’s why so many projects now avoid U.S. users entirely.

What’s clear? International crypto laws aren’t about technology. They’re about power. Who controls the money? Who gets to decide what’s legal? And who gets to take it away? The answers change by country, by year, and sometimes by the week. Below, you’ll find real stories—from the scams that slipped through cracks, to the exchanges that survived crackdowns, to the tokens that vanished under new rules. This isn’t theory. It’s what’s happening right now.