Blockchain & Virtual Assets

Stay tuned for the latest tax developments in the crypto space

This Tax Dossier was last reviewed on 14 April 2025

Introduction

The evolution of virtual assets is leading jurisdictions around the world to continuously develop new legislation and guidance for industry stakeholders participating in the “crypto space” and for tax authorities. This type of legislation often aims at leveraging new technologies and ensuring efficient tax monitoring and compliance, while tackling tax fraud and evasion.

This Tax Dossier highlights the latest news reports, articles and papers in the field of direct and indirect taxation covering:

Virtual currencies (such as Bitcoin);
Blockchain (i.e. distributed ledger technology); and
Operations involving other virtual assets.

Outline Tax Dossier:

Click the section of your interest or simply scroll down

Blockchain and Tax Compliance

Taxation of Cryptoassets

Metaverse and Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs)

Key documents

This section includes important primary sources, reports/documentation issued by the OECD and the UN, and EU Directives concerning the taxation and tax reporting of cryptoassets.

- OECD – Taxing Virtual Currencies: An Overview of Tax Treatments and Emerging Tax Policy Issues

- OECD – Crypto-Asset Reporting Framework and Amendments to the Common Reporting Standard

- Commission – VAT Treatment of Bitcoin (II)

Blockchain and Tax Compliance

Blockchain, as a technology that records data in a transparent, secure and reliable manner, has been seen by some in the international community as an opportunity to enhance tax management and compliance.

This section covers the most recent developments regarding the use of blockchain technology in the field of taxation. It also includes developments on disclosure and tax reporting of virtual assets in an effort to counter tax evasion.

Check the latest news reports.

Latest journal articles and opinion pieces

OECD/International - International Tax Transparency Standards and the Tackling of Illicit Financial Flows (12 August 2024)

Norma Chayo Dichi

Automatic Exchange of Information and the Protection of Taxpayers’ Rights: Towards a New Multilateral Multi-Tiered Architecture (18 July 2024)

Pasquale Pistone, Ivan Lazarov and Alessandro Turina

Exchange of Tax Information in the Aftermath of Brexit: Re-thinking the Role of Bilateral and Multilateral Standards as a Result of the United Kingdom’s Departure from the DAC Framework (17 July 2024)

Gianmaria Alberto Carlo Favaloro

European Union - Council (8 July 2024)

Angelika Xygka

European Union - Compatibility of the DAC6 Obligation to Report Cross-Border Arrangements with Fundamental Rights: A Green Light from the Advocate General? (25 June 2024)

Felix Desmyttere and Lars Vanneste

European Union - Investing in Crypto-Assets: Council Adoption of DAC8 (8 November 2023)

Toine Gorissen and Yasin Uslu

European Union - Parliament (17 October 2023)

Angelika Xygka

International - Cashless Society and Central Bank Digital Currencies: Tax Aspects and Taxpayer Protection (19 September 2023)

Angelo Contrino and Stefano Maria Ronco

European Union - Parliament (28 August 2023)

Angelika Xygka

European Union - DAC8: Commentary on the European Union’s New Crypto Tax Reporting Regime (22 August 2023)

Max Bernt

Taxation of Cryptoassets

Regulations on cryptoassets are in a state of flux. Monitoring legislative changes in this field is essential to ensure tax certainty and avoid leakages in the collection of tax revenue.
This section covers initiatives to provide regulatory clarity on the direct and indirect tax implications applicable to transactions involving cryptoassets.

Check the latest news reports.