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Crypto tax in United Kingdom 2026
The UK treats crypto as an ordinary asset: gains above the £3,000 annual exemption pay 18% or 24% depending on your band — and there's no long-term holding discount to wait for.
Every swap counts: exchanging one coin for another is a disposal, and business-scale trading, mining or staking rewards are taxed as income instead, at up to 45%.
At a glance
- top rate
- 24% capital gains tax (CGT); up to 45% if taxed as income
- entry band
- £3,000 of total gains a year tax-free
- tax year basis
- 6 April – 5 April
- filing deadline
- 31 January via self-assessment
- residency basis
- Residents: worldwide crypto gains (the foreign income and gains (FIG) regime can exempt new arrivals' foreign gains)
- regime flag
- No holding-period exemption — unlike Germany or Portugal
Rates
Crypto taxation for individuals 2026/27
| Rate | Base | Applies to |
|---|---|---|
| 18% / 24% | Net gain above £3,000 exemption | Selling or swapping crypto held as an investment |
| 20% – 45% + National Insurance | Profits / rewards | Business-scale trading; mining and staking rewards taxed as income |
Thresholds & allowances
- Annual exempt amount£3,000
Shared across all capital gains
Residency
Residency trigger
Residents owe UK tax on crypto gains worldwide; the 4-year FIG regime can shelter foreign gains for qualifying new arrivals.
Non-resident treatment
Crypto isn't UK land, so non-residents generally sit outside UK tax on personal crypto gains.
Notes
- Coin-to-coin swaps, spending crypto and gifting it (except to a spouse) are all disposals.
- Share-style pooling rules apply to work out your cost basis per token.
- Losses can be claimed against gains — including on tokens that have become worthless.
- This treatment follows the tax authority's published cryptoassets guidance.
FAQ
How is crypto taxed in the UK?
As capital gains: 18% or 24% on profits above the £3,000 annual exemption when you sell or swap. Mining, staking rewards and business-scale trading are taxed as income at up to 45%.
Is there a tax-free holding period for crypto in the UK?
No — the 18%/24% rates are the same whether you held for 1 day or 10 years.
Figures: tax year 2026/27, compiled from public sources. Not tax advice.