Methodology

How We Score Jurisdictions

Our transparent, deterministic scoring model helps you understand exactly how we rank Bitcoin-friendly destinations.

Scoring Criteria

Each jurisdiction is evaluated on 12 criteria, scored from 0-10. Higher scores are better, except for cost (where 10 = most affordable).

Tax (HODL)

Capital gains tax for long-term holders. 10 = no tax.

Tax (Trading/Business)

Tax treatment for active trading and Bitcoin income.

Regulatory Clarity

Clear, supportive legal framework for Bitcoin.

Safety

Personal safety, crime rates, and security.

Political Stability

Government stability and press freedom.

Cost of Living

Daily expenses affordability. 10 = very affordable.

Housing

Real estate and rent affordability. 10 = very affordable.

Education

Quality of schools and international options.

Visa Accessibility

Ease of obtaining residency or citizenship.

Infrastructure

Internet, utilities, banking, and transport.

Lifestyle

Climate, culture, and quality of life factors.

Bitcoin Community

Local adoption, meetups, and blockchain scene.

Weight Presets

Different people have different priorities. Our presets adjust the importance of each criterion to match common use cases.

Balanced

Equal emphasis on all factors. Good starting point for exploring options. Tax, safety, regulation, and visa access weighted similarly.

Tax Efficiency

Prioritizes Bitcoin taxation and regulatory clarity above other factors. Best for those who want to minimize tax burden and don't mind trade-offs on lifestyle or safety.

Family First

Heavy emphasis on safety, education, infrastructure, and family-friendliness. Tax considerations are secondary to quality of life for families.

Safety & Stability

Prioritizes political stability, rule of law, and personal safety. For those who value predictability and security above tax optimization.

American vs Non-American Logic

For U.S. Citizens

The U.S. is one of very few countries that taxes citizens on worldwide income regardless of residence. This means:

  • •Moving to a zero-tax jurisdiction abroad won't eliminate federal tax on Bitcoin gains
  • •Puerto Rico receives a +25 point bonus due to Act 60, which allows 0% capital gains for bona fide residents while retaining U.S. citizenship
  • •Other zero-tax jurisdictions receive a -5 penalty (or -3 if they have other strong benefits) since the tax advantage is diminished

For Non-Americans

Most countries only tax residents, giving non-Americans much more flexibility:

  • •Moving to a zero-tax jurisdiction can eliminate your Bitcoin tax burden entirely
  • •No special modifiers applied – all jurisdictions scored on their merits
  • •UAE, Singapore, Cayman, and others with zero capital gains are fully effective

Deal Breakers

When you select deal breakers in the quiz, jurisdictions that violate them receive a -3 point penalty per violation. This doesn't completely disqualify them, but significantly lowers their ranking.

Deal breaker penalties are applied after all other scoring, including the American modifier. This ensures your absolute requirements are respected.

Scoring Formula

Final Score =
  (Σ (criterion_score × weight)) / (Σ weights)
  + american_modifier
  - (deal_breaker_count × 3)

Where:
- Each criterion is scored 0-10
- Weights vary by preset (0.3 to 1.5)
- american_modifier = +25 for Puerto Rico, -5/-3 for others
- deal_breaker_count = number of violated requirements

Data Sources

Our jurisdiction data is compiled from:

  • •Official government tax authority publications
  • •Global Peace Index and safety statistics
  • •Cost of living databases (Numbeo, Expatistan)
  • •Education quality indices (PISA, university rankings)
  • •Bitcoin regulation analysis from legal experts
  • •First-hand reports from Bitcoin community members

Scores are updated periodically as regulations and conditions change. Last updated: January 2026.

Important Disclaimer

This tool is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, tax, or financial advice. Tax laws and regulations change frequently and vary based on individual circumstances.

Before making any relocation or tax planning decisions, you should:

  • • Consult with a qualified tax professional in your home country
  • • Work with an immigration attorney for visa/residency questions
  • • Speak with a local tax advisor in your target jurisdiction
  • • Verify all information independently with official sources

The authors and publishers of this tool accept no liability for any decisions made based on this information.

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