There is no global standard in crypto taxation. Even the EU has no harmonization.
Here is a brief overview:
Portugal
Capital gains often exempt if crypto is held over one year.
Short term activity can still be taxed as income.
Germany
Zero capital gains tax after one year.
Below one year, gains taxed as personal income, up to roughly 45%.
France
Flat tax around 30%, including social contributions.
Same logic used for stocks and other financial assets.
Spain
Progressive capital gains tax, roughly 19% to 28%.
No holding period exemption.
Austria
Flat 27.5% on crypto gains.
Sweden
Capital gains taxed around 30%.
Strict reporting and compliance.
Netherlands
No capital gains tax.
Annual wealth tax applied to an assumed return on total assets, including crypto.
Tax applies even without selling.
Bulgaria
Flat 10% capital gains tax.
One of the lowest rates in the EU.
Switzerland
Zero capital gains tax for private investors.
Professional trading activity taxed as income.
High compliance, high indirect tax collection.
Italy
Flat 33% capital gains tax from 2026.
No distinction between short and long term holding.
No exemption threshold.
United States
Crypto treated as property.
Federal capital gains tax from 0 to 20% depending on income and holding period.
Long term holding rewarded.
State taxes may apply.
Canada
Only part of capital gains is taxable.
Effective rates roughly 15 to 50% depending on income and province.
Japan
Crypto taxed as miscellaneous personal income.
Top marginal rates exceed 50%.
One of the most punitive regimes globally.
Singapore
No capital gains tax for individual investors.
Trading businesses taxed, passive investors usually not.
Hong Kong
Generally no capital gains tax for individuals.
Frequent trading can trigger income classification.
Malaysia
Generally no capital gains tax for individuals.
Active trading may be reclassified as income.
Thailand
Capital gains from crypto are treated as assessable income for individuals.
Taxed under personal income tax rates, progressive up to 35%.
No long term holding exemption.
United Arab Emirates
Zero capital gains tax.
El Salvador
Zero on Bitcoin gains.
Bahamas
Zero capital gains tax.
From 2026 onward, most OECD countries will enforce automatic crypto reporting under the Crypto Asset Reporting Framework.
Balances and transactions will be reported by exchanges and custodians. Evasion becomes harder.
Here is a brief overview:
EUROPE
Portugal
Capital gains often exempt if crypto is held over one year.
Short term activity can still be taxed as income.
Germany
Zero capital gains tax after one year.
Below one year, gains taxed as personal income, up to roughly 45%.
France
Flat tax around 30%, including social contributions.
Same logic used for stocks and other financial assets.
Spain
Progressive capital gains tax, roughly 19% to 28%.
No holding period exemption.
Austria
Flat 27.5% on crypto gains.
Sweden
Capital gains taxed around 30%.
Strict reporting and compliance.
Netherlands
No capital gains tax.
Annual wealth tax applied to an assumed return on total assets, including crypto.
Tax applies even without selling.
Bulgaria
Flat 10% capital gains tax.
One of the lowest rates in the EU.
Switzerland
Zero capital gains tax for private investors.
Professional trading activity taxed as income.
High compliance, high indirect tax collection.
Italy
Flat 33% capital gains tax from 2026.
No distinction between short and long term holding.
No exemption threshold.
NORTH AMERICA
United States
Crypto treated as property.
Federal capital gains tax from 0 to 20% depending on income and holding period.
Long term holding rewarded.
State taxes may apply.
Canada
Only part of capital gains is taxable.
Effective rates roughly 15 to 50% depending on income and province.
ASIA
Japan
Crypto taxed as miscellaneous personal income.
Top marginal rates exceed 50%.
One of the most punitive regimes globally.
Singapore
No capital gains tax for individual investors.
Trading businesses taxed, passive investors usually not.
Hong Kong
Generally no capital gains tax for individuals.
Frequent trading can trigger income classification.
Malaysia
Generally no capital gains tax for individuals.
Active trading may be reclassified as income.
Thailand
Capital gains from crypto are treated as assessable income for individuals.
Taxed under personal income tax rates, progressive up to 35%.
No long term holding exemption.
MIDDLE EAST AND OTHERS
United Arab Emirates
Zero capital gains tax.
El Salvador
Zero on Bitcoin gains.
Bahamas
Zero capital gains tax.
From 2026 onward, most OECD countries will enforce automatic crypto reporting under the Crypto Asset Reporting Framework.
Balances and transactions will be reported by exchanges and custodians. Evasion becomes harder.
