The UK's first cryptocurrency tax report shows that 240 people declared £717 million in capital gains

The UK government has released the first official statistics on taxable crypto asset gains, revealing that in the 2024-25 tax year, 240 individuals reported capital gains exceeding £1 million, totaling £717 million, which accounts for more than half of the total £1.38 billion reported by 17,600 individuals. The HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) stated that 17,600 individuals reported crypto asset disposal gains of £13.8 billion, with taxable gains of £1.38 billion, averaging about £78,000 per person; of these, approximately 87% were male and 13% were female.

Selling, exchanging, consuming tokens, or gifting assets to others may trigger tax obligations. HMRC has sent out 81,000 crypto tax letters in the past 12 months, an increase of 25% from about 65,000 letters, approaching the 27,714 letters sent in the 2023-24 tax year. James Murray, the Financial Secretary to the Treasury and Director of Payments, stated that crypto asset gains are subject to tax just like other gains. The UK plans to adjust the tax treatment of certain DeFi transactions starting from April 6, 2027, with related lending and liquidity pool transactions typically deferring capital gains tax until an economic disposal occurs, expected to affect about 700,000 individuals. HMRC estimates that its crypto tax compliance and education activities have generated an additional £168 million in capital gains tax for the 2024-25 fiscal year.