The Korean National Tax Service is developing an AI system to track cryptocurrency transactions and crack down on tax evaders

According to market news, the Korean National Tax Service is building an AI system costing about $2.2 million to track cryptocurrency transactions and crack down on tax evaders, expected to be completed by the end of 2026.

The system will integrate exchange trading records with blockchain data to identify suspicious transactions such as money laundering, unreported gifts, and offshore tax evasion, and will expand its tracking scope to non-custodial wallets. The National Tax Service is coordinating implementation details with five major exchanges, including Upbit and Bithumb, with the final tax guidelines expected to be released by the end of 2026.

A survey by the Financial Services Commission of South Korea shows that the country has verified over 11 million cryptocurrency investors, but the growth rate has significantly slowed, with the growth rate of tradable accounts dropping from 25% in the first half of 2024 to 3% in the second half. The South Korean government has confirmed that it will impose a 22% tax on cryptocurrency asset gains starting January 1, 2027, with taxes due on the portion of annual gains exceeding approximately $1,800. This tax has been postponed twice from its original schedule in 2025.