EU’s crypto tax reporting starts in January with threat of asset seizure

Policy Share Share this article Copy link X icon X (Twitter) LinkedIn Facebook Email EU’s crypto tax reporting starts in January with threat of asset seizure New directive, which operates alongside MiCA, expands tax data sharing, sets July 1 compliance deadline for exchanges across bloc. By Olivier Acuna , AI Boost | Edited by Sheldon Reback Dec 24, 2025, 2:42 p.m. EU crypto tax rules kick at the start of the year. (wrangler/Shutterstock modified by CoinDesk) What to know : The European Union's tax-reporting directive, effective Jan. 1, mandates crypto-asset service providers to report detailed user and transaction data to national tax authorities. The DAC8 rules aim to close tax reporting gaps in the crypto economy, enhancing visibility similar to that of bank accounts and securities. Crypto firms have until July 1 to comply with DAC8's reporting requirements, after which non-compliance may result in penalties. The European Union’s newest tax transparency law for digital assets takes effect Jan. 1, marking a shift in how crypto activity faces scrutiny across the bloc. Known as DAC8 , the directive extends the EU’s long-running framework for administrative cooperation on taxation to crypto assets and related service providers. The rules require crypto-asset service providers, including exchanges and brokers, to collect and report detailed information on users and transactions to national tax authorities. Those authorities then share the data across EU member states. STORY CONTINUES BELOW Don't miss another story. Subscribe to the State of Crypto Newsletter today . See all newsletters Sign me up By signing up, you will receive emails about CoinDesk products and you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . The move matters because it closes a gap that left parts of the crypto economy outside standard tax reporting. Under DAC8, authorities gain a clearer view of crypto holdings, trades and transfers that mirror the visibility already applied to bank accounts and securities. DAC8 operates alongside, but separately from, the EU’s Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) regulation. MiCA, passed in April 2023 , governs how crypto firms obtain licenses, protect customers and operate across the single market. DAC8 targets tax compliance, giving authorities the data needed to assess and enforce tax obligations. MiCA regulates market conduct, while DAC8 polices the tax trail. The directive applies from Jan. 1, but crypto firms have a transition period. Providers have until July 1 to bring reporting systems, customer due diligence processes and internal controls into full compliance. After that deadline, failures to report can trigger penalties under national law. For crypto users, enforcement carries sharper consequences. If tax authorities detect avoidance or evasion, DAC8 allows local agencies to act with support from counterparts in other EU countries. That cooperation includes the power to embargo or seize crypto assets linked to unpaid taxes, even when assets or platforms sit outside a user’s home jurisdiction. EU crypto tax AI Disclaimer: Parts of this article were generated with the assistance from AI tools and reviewed by our editorial team to ensure accuracy and adherence to our standards . For more information, see CoinDesk's full AI Policy . More For You State of the Blockchain 2025 By CoinDesk Research Dec 19, 2025 Commissioned by Input Output Group L1 tokens broadly underperformed in 2025 despite a backdrop of regulatory and institutional wins. Explore the key trends defining ten major blockchains below. What to know : 2025 was defined by a stark divergence: structural progress collided with stagnant price action. 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