---
type: country
domain: crypto-regulation
status: stable
tags: ["crypto-regulation", "asia_pacific", "fatf", "legal"]
aliases: ["NZ", "NZL", "Aotearoa / New Zealand"]
created: 2026-04-13
updated: 2026-04-02
compile_into: ["[[country--new-zealand]]"]
sources:
  - name: "https://www.fma.govt.nz"
    url: "https://www.fma.govt.nz"
    type: "official"
---

#  New Zealand (NZ) — Crypto Regulation

> New Zealand has a clear and established regulatory framework for cryptocurrencies under the Financial Markets Authority (FMA), which promotes fair, efficient, and transparent financial markets. The Financial Markets Conduct Act 2013 governs financial services including crypto activities.

## Overview

| Field | Value |
|-------|-------|
| Status | Legal |
| Risk Score | 30/100 (Moderate Risk) |
| Enforcement Level | Moderate |
| Region | [[domain--asia-pacific|asia pacific]] |
| Currency | [[entity--nzd|NZD]] |

## Tax

| Type | Rate |
|------|------|
| Capital Gains (Personal) | 0% (no general capital gains tax; income tax may apply if trading is a business) |
| Capital Gains (Corporate) | 28% corporate tax on business income from crypto |
| VAT on Crypto | No |

The regulator page does not specify detailed crypto tax rules, but VAT does not apply to crypto transactions.

## Licensing

| Field | Value |
|-------|-------|
| Required | Yes |
| Regulator | [[entity--fma-nz|FMA NZ]] |
| Framework | Financial Markets Conduct Act 2013 |
| Ease | medium |
| Cost | $10,000 - $50,000 (registration + compliance) |
| Timeline | 2-6 months |

Licensing and supervision of financial services providers including crypto firms is conducted by the FMA under the FMCA.

## AML / KYC

| Field | Value |
|-------|-------|
| KYC Required | Yes |
| Travel Rule | Yes |
| [[concept--fatf|FATF]] Member | Yes |
| FATF Status | compliant |

## DeFi

**Status:** regulated

DeFi activities fall under existing financial regulations and are supervised by the FMA to ensure compliance with financial market laws.

## Stablecoins

**Status:** regulated

Stablecoins are regulated under the Financial Markets Conduct Act and must comply with relevant financial regulations.

## NFTs

**Status:** unregulated

## Mining

| Field | Value |
|-------|-------|
| Legal | Yes |
| Electricity Cost | $0.098/kWh |
| Renewable Energy | 82% |
| Climate | temperate |
| Infrastructure | good |

New Zealand offers favorable mining conditions with high renewable energy usage and moderate electricity costs.

## Geopolitics

| Field | Value |
|-------|-------|
| Stability | stable |
| Sanctions | No |
| Corruption Index | 75/100 |
| Ease of Business | easy |
| Internet Freedom | free |
| Banking Access | open |

## Enforcement

No detailed enforcement information available

## CBDC Status: research

---

*Data source: [Soken Crypto Legal Map](https://soken.dev/crypto-map/). Last reviewed: 2026-04-13.*

**Sources:**
- [https://www.fma.govt.nz](https://www.fma.govt.nz)