UK Enforces Sweeping Crypto Tax Reporting Rules, Forcing Exchanges into Full HMRC Transparency

02/01/2026 admin

Key Takeaways:

The UK will enforce OECD-backed crypto tax reporting rules from January 2026, with first reports due in May 2027
Crypto exchanges and service providers must collect and report detailed user and transaction data to HMRC
The framework significantly expands global tax transparency while adding domestic reporting and enforcement mechanisms

The UK has formally set its path toward one of the most comprehensive crypto tax reporting regimes among major financial hubs. Through the adoption of the OECD’s Cryptoasset Reporting Framework (CARF), British authorities are moving to bring digital assets under the same scrutiny as traditional financial accounts.

This shift marks a structural change for crypto exchanges, wallet providers, and service platforms operating in or serving UK users.

UK Adopts OECD Crypto Reporting Framework

The UK confirmed it will implement the OECD’s Cryptoasset Reporting Framework as part of a coordinated global effort to close tax reporting gaps created by digital assets.

CARF requires Reporting Cryptoasset Service Providers (RCASPs) to collect, verify, and report user information and transaction data to national tax authorities. In the UK, this data will flow directly to HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC).

The rules apply to both UK-based users and non-UK customers interacting with UK-based platforms. Reporting will cover transactions, asset transfers, and identity details that allow HMRC to detect underreported or unreported crypto gains.

Although the UK signed the joint international commitment in late 2023, the practical rollout begins in January 2026. The first full reporting cycle will cover the 2026 calendar year, with submissions due by May 31, 2027.

What Crypto Platforms Must Report

With the new structure, crypto exchanges and service providers will have to gather volumes of data that are similar to those required in banks.

This consists of customer identity data, tax domicile, transaction value and asset history. It also requires platforms to monitor crypto-to-crypto trades, wallet-to-wallet transfers, and activities dealing with tokenized assets.

The scope is by choice an extensive one. Regulators would like to discourage regulatory arbitrage, where participants are moving to platforms or structures that would not require such reporting.

Who Qualifies as a Reporting Cryptoasset Service Provider (RCASP)

RCASP is not limited to exchanges that are centralized. Any party that gains control or other considerable influence over crypto transactions can be under scope.

This encompasses custodial platforms, brokerage-like services as well as some operators of decentralized systems wherein governance or control is retained. Software is not regulated, however, individuals or any company that controls or manipulates the software could be subject to reporting.

The UK assured that it will interpret in agreement with FATF guidance, and that it will not bow to demands to create general exceptions to the rule on non-custodial or developer-led platforms.

Domestic Reporting Expands HMRC’s Reach

Significant to the implementation in the UK is domestic reporting. The cryptocurrency exchanges based in the UK should be involved in reporting of its users in the UK even when the whole transaction is done within the UK.

This is unlike in the past frameworks that were primarily concerned with cross-border transparency. HMRC claims that domestic reporting will lead to less duplication and better efficiency and give a clearer overview of taxpayer activity.

In contrast, the government chose not to make an immediate extension to domestic reporting using the Common Reporting Standard (CRS) to traditional financial institutions as it claimed that the technical and operational aspects of the matter were still unaddressed.

CRS Amendments Tighten Financial Reporting

The UK will also revise the Common Reporting Standard in conjunction with the CARF that regulates the reporting of the non-resident account holders by the banks and financial institutions.

The amendments broaden the scope of assets that have to be covered, require registration of reporting institutions that are required to be mandatory and the structure of penalties is consistent with other digital reporting regimes.

Both amendments of CARF and CRS will be effective starting January 2026, and both will have the same reporting dates to ease reporting among institutions that fall under the two regimes.

Although there were fears by some industry players that operational strain would be experienced, the majority of the players were in favor of timelines alignment in order to curb fragmentation.

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