Crypto tax in United Kingdom
How is cryptocurrency taxed in the United Kingdom?
In the United Kingdom, cryptocurrency is taxed as Capital Gains Tax (CGT) at a headline rate of 24%. Long-term gains are not exempt.
Common questions
- What is the headline rate for UK crypto capital gains tax?
- The headline rate for UK crypto capital gains tax is 24%.
- Are long-term cryptocurrency gains exempt from tax in the UK?
- No, long-term cryptocurrency gains are not exempt from tax in the United Kingdom.
Crypto in United Kingdom is taxed as a capital gain.
Treatment
taxed as a capital gain
Long-term
Still taxed
Headline rate
24%
For an individual relocating to the UK, gains on disposals of personally held crypto (selling, swapping, spending, gifting) are generally subject to Capital Gains Tax with no tax‑free long‑term holding period, and some crypto receipts (like salary, mining or staking rewards) can instead be taxed as income.
“You may need to pay Capital Gains Tax if you make a gain when you ‘dispose’ of cryptoasset tokens (also known as cryptocurrency) by: selling them; exchanging them for a different type of cryptoasset; using them to pay for goods or services; giving them to another person (unless it’s a gift to your spouse, civil partner or charity)... If your total gain for the tax year (6 April to 5 April) is above the Capital Gains Tax tax-free allowance, then you must: report the gain to HMRC; pay Capital Gains Tax.” — HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC)
Reflects the treatment of an individual's crypto disposals. Estimate — confirm against the linked source. See methodology.