UK cryptocurrency traders forced into the mainstream

• UK cryptocurrency investors and speculators to be affected by new laws.
• Inland Revenue to get data directly from exchanges.
• Informal declarations of profits come to an end.

The days of UK citizens operating and trading in the cryptocurrency sphere with any degree of anonymity will soon be drawing to a close. The detail of Chancellor Rachel Reeves’s 2025 Budget reveals a change in how the UK government will oversee cryptocurrency trading, with major implications for holders of digital assets. From January 2026, cryptocurrency platforms will be mandated to record and share transaction data with HMRC (His Majesty’s Revenue and Customs), meaning greater tax transparency for trading organisations like exchanges and digital asset vendors.

Currently, individuals trading in cryptocurrencies are responsible for declaring any profits made on self-assessment tax returns. However, HMRC’s visibility of digital transactions has been limited, relying largely on each individual to self-report accurately. The new legislation aims to address the obvious gaps in tax revenues that may be ‘forgotten’ under the present informal arrangements.

The first date of note to consider is January 1st, 2026, from when major cryptocurrency exchanges will be legally obliged to begin collecting transaction records for UK customers. Details will include transactions’ initial purchase price, sale prices, and any profits. Then, from 2027 onwards, exchanges will have to transmit detailed data to HMRC via portal or API. This will provide the tax authorities with full insight into individual cryptocurrency trades.

The change in the law is part of a broader UK government crackdown on tax avoidance, and mirrors a global trend towards increased regulation of the digital asset space. The UK is a signatory of the Crypto-Asset Reporting Framework (CARF), an international agreement designed to promote transparency and combat illicit activities in the cryptocurrency sector. CARF brings the digital asset market more closely in line with reporting requirements in place covering traditional financial assets.

Government advice is that anyone trading in cryptocurrency should review their tax affairs, as it soon won’t be enough to rely on vague estimates or hoping the HMRC won’t notice trades. Accurate record-keeping and tracking every transaction will become essentially mandatory, from initial purchases to trades and sales, along with details of associated fees.

“It goes without saying, that HMRC will have no hesitation in launching an investigation if the numbers don’t match,” said Seb Maley, CEO of tax insurance provider, Qdos. “This marks a major shift in how crypto[currency] trading is monitored from a tax perspective. HMRC will soon know exactly who is making gains – and how much.”

The coming changes apply to all cryptocurrency assets, not just big names like Bitcoin and Ethereum. Smaller altcoins, NFTs, and DeFi tokens are among those included under the scope of the new…