- CASPs must collect all user data but report only on UK and CARF tax residents.
- Service providers will incur up to £300 penalty per user for non-compliance.
- UK aligns with over 40 jurisdictions pushing for crypto tax transparency.
The UK government has confirmed it will implement new crypto tax data rules under the Organisation for Economic Development’s (OECD) Crypto-Asset Reporting Framework (CARF), aligning with international standards on tax transparency.
Cryptoasset service providers (CASPs) operating in the UK must collect user data from 2026 and submit reports starting May 2027. These changes aim to curb tax evasion, strengthen global reporting obligations, and increase accountability in the digital asset sector.
The regulations will apply to all CASPs offering exchange, transfer, or custodial services, even if the firm is not based in the UK.
Entities will be required to gather identity and transactional data from all users but only report on users who are tax residents in the UK or jurisdictions that have adopted the CARF rules.
Reporting threshold begins 1 January 2026
The first reporting period will cover activity between 1 January and 31 December 2026, with submissions due by 31 May 2027. Subsequent reports will be due annually, with each deadline falling on 31 May.
While providers must collect data from all users, only those who qualify as reportable users—UK tax residents or residents of CARF-aligned countries—will be included in the filings.
Reporting must be submitted via HMRC’s online platform using an XML format aligned with the OECD’s guidance. The digital submission tool is not yet live, but the government plans to provide instructions ahead of the first filing deadline.
The framework is designed to mirror reporting standards used in traditional finance, such as the Common Reporting Standard (CRS).
According to the OECD, the CARF framework will allow tax authorities to track crypto transactions across borders in a standardised and automated way.
Crypto firms face £300 penalties per violation
HMRC has set out strict penalties for failure to comply with the new rules. Crypto firms that do not submit a report, submit it late, or include inaccurate or incomplete information could be fined up to £300 per user.
This applies to both UK-based firms and those providing crypto services within the UK market.
Firms are encouraged to prepare internal systems ahead of time to ensure they can gather the required user identity details and transaction summaries.
While no penalties will be applied for not reporting if no reportable users exist in a given year, the data must still be collected and available for audit.
The rules will place further compliance burdens on CASPs, especially decentralised platforms and non-custodial wallet providers, which may struggle with identity verification.
Industry participants are awaiting further clarification on how the regulations will apply to decentralised protocols or services operating with minimal user data collection.
UK joins global push for crypto transparency
The UK’s adoption of CARF is part of a broader international effort to close regulatory gaps in the crypto space. More than 40 jurisdictions, including EU member states, have committed to implementing the framework in a coordinated timeline.
The EU has already integrated CARF into its revised Directive on Administrative Cooperation (DAC8), which also takes effect from 2026.
By aligning with global standards, the UK aims to bolster its credibility as a regulated but competitive jurisdiction for crypto businesses.
The move comes as regulators worldwide increase scrutiny of digital asset activities following major collapses in the space, such as FTX and Celsius.
Although the new obligations do not come into effect until 2026, HMRC is urging CASPs to begin preparations now, especially those who may be collecting personal data for the first time.
Regular updates will be issued by the tax authority, with guidance available via email alerts for firms and individuals who opt in.
Long-term impact on UK crypto sector
As the UK tightens compliance rules for digital assets, some CASPs may choose to relocate or exit the market due to the operational and financial burden. However, others see the shift as a step toward legitimising crypto’s role in the financial system.
The crypto tax data rules under CARF are likely to reshape the UK’s digital asset landscape, increasing transparency for regulators and potentially reducing appeal for illicit users.
Whether this strengthens or stifles innovation remains to be seen, but for now, the message is clear: compliance is no longer optional.
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