Ukraine Crypto Drama: Will It Ever Get Legalized? šŸ¤”šŸ’ø

So, news flash! Ukraine’s lawmakers are STILL at it, poking and prodding like it’s a slightly boring game of chess, debating crypto tax rates while the world zooms ahead. According to an expert with more patience than me on a Monday morning, the shiny new crypto bill could be lounging around until 2026, longer than my last relationship. šŸ’”

Ukraine’s Crypto Circus: 2026 is the New 2025

In an exclusive chat with local news (thatā€™s basically like gossiping over coffee, but with a tie), Taras Kozak, a fancy member of Ukraineā€™s securities regulator advisory group, shared the latest buzz on Ukraine’s quest to legalize cryptocurrencies. Spoiler alert: Itā€™s complicated! šŸ“…

But hold your horses! Kozak and Danylo Hetmantsev, the head honcho of the Verkhovna Radaā€™s Committee on Finance, are not on the same page. Hetmantsevā€™s forecasting skills seem more suited for a weather report than politics, claiming the bill will be ready to rumble by summer 2025. šŸš€

It gets better. The first draft is expected to be out in the first quarter, followed by a riveting ā€œsecond readingā€ in Parliamentā€”you know, just like a sequel nobody asked for! The lawmakers are apparently still figuring out the juicy details of the tax measures. ā˜•ļø

Then thereā€™s the cherry on top: back in December, Hetmantsev mentioned a working group with the National Bank and the IMF on a draft bill to cozy up to legalizing digital assets. So, thatā€™s happening! šŸŽ‰

But Kozak, being the realistic gem that he is, thought that crypto dreams might stretch into next year. And who knows, maybe theyā€™ll finally make it happen before the world ends, which could be any day now. šŸ¤·ā€ā™€ļø

So, if all goes according to plan (cue the dramatic music), crypto could be strutting its stuff and getting taxed starting in 2026. But hey, who doesnā€™t love a good cliffhanger? šŸ“ˆ

Lawmakers vs. Crypto Taxation: The Never-Ending Saga

Kozak insists that settling on a tax rate is crucial, ’cause Ukrainian investors are, shockingly, on board with helping the state budget. Theyā€™d even entertain around a 5% tax on their crypto profits, as long as nobody snoozes through the process like itā€™s a boring lecture. šŸ„±

And letā€™s not forget our buddy President Volodymyr Zelensky, who back in March 2022 signed something called the ā€œOn Virtual Assetsā€ law ā€” it sounds important, right? Except, itā€™s been about as useful as a chocolate teapot, stuck waiting for a few necessary changes to the Ukrainian Tax Code. šŸ«

All this rigmarole means the nation might just be waving goodbye to millions in potential tax revenue, thanks to a lack of real regulations. I mean, who doesnā€™t love a good loophole? šŸ™ƒ

Kozak, ever the pragmatist, urged for a reasonable tax rate, anywhere from 5% to 10%. After all, the state needs cash for the army, weapons, and good olā€™ security. ā€œWe live on this money!ā€ he passionately declaredā€”because who wouldnā€™t want to support a cause that involves fighting for freedom? šŸ’Ŗ

Whatā€™s coming down the pipe line? The government has floated a standard 18% tax on personal income, plus an exciting 5% military levy. And just for the cherry on top? Investors without proof of initial investments could be staring at a 23% tax on everything. I can almost feel the dread radiating through the screen. šŸ˜±

And Hetmantsev? Heā€™s set the scene, claiming no tax exemptions for digital assets because theyā€™re playing it safe, consulting with experts and probably asking them to read the fine print. We all love a cautious approach when it comes to taxes, right?

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2025-03-01 08:44