Belgium is the strictest of the large EU markets on this pair of questions, and the gap between the two answers is wider here than almost anywhere. Spot crypto itself is legal: MiCA has applied since 30 December 2024, the FSMA runs the crypto-asset framework, and since 1 July 2026 any crypto-asset service provider must hold a MiCA authorisation or stop offering services in Europe - the national transitional regime ran out on 30 June 2026.
Leveraged derivatives are a different matter entirely. Since 18 August 2016 the FSMA Regulation approved by Royal Decree has banned distribution to consumers, over electronic trading platforms, of binary options, sub-one-hour derivatives and leveraged derivatives including CFDs and rolling spot forex - and it sits on top of an earlier ban on distributing financial products whose underlying is a virtual currency.
A perpetual on PEPE tracks price and does not confer ownership of the underlying — the same contract mechanics apply in every jurisdiction; what differs by country is legal status and funding rails.
13 venues open Pepe perps to traders in Belgium.
ApeX
Aster
gTrade
Helix
Hyperliquid
Lighter
Pacifica
Paradex
Reya
Synthetix
VestFour steps from sign-up to an open position.
Private investors in Belgium pay a 10% tax on capital gains from crypto.
Trading PEPE from Belgium: legal.
Financial Services and Markets Authority (FSMA).
For Belgium residents trading Pepe: Private investors in Belgium pay a 10% tax on capital gains from crypto.
19 platforms serve Belgium for Pepe trading, among them Aevo, ApeX and Aster.