Bitcoin Tax in the UK
Bitcoin gains are subject to Capital Gains Tax at 18% or 24% above the shared £3,000 allowance. Selling, swapping for another token, spending or gifting it is a disposal; tokens are pooled at average cost, with the same-day and 30-day rules. Report if total proceeds exceed £50,000.
Facts checked 26 October 2026 · Not financial, legal or tax advice
At a glance
| What you sell | How the gain is taxed | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Bitcoin and other crypto | CGT at 18% or 24% above the £3,000 allowance. | Pooling, same-day and 30-day rules. |
How bitcoin gains are taxed
- You usually pay CGT when you sell, swap, spend or give away crypto (gifts to a spouse, civil partner or charity excepted).
- Gains are taxed at 18% or 24% and share the £3,000 annual allowance with other gains.
- Tokens of the same type are pooled at average cost (a section 104 pool), but tokens bought the same day as a sale, or in the 30 days after it, are matched first.
- NFTs aren't pooled because each is unique.
Reporting
- If you're registered for Self Assessment, report gains when total sale proceeds were more than £50,000, even if the gains are under the allowance.
- Report on your Self Assessment return, or through the real-time CGT service by 31 December after the tax year.
- Self Assessment has a crypto section from 2024-25, in pounds; exchange statements aren't tax calculations, so keep your own records.
Losses
- Capital losses reduce other capital gains and must be reported (within four years of the end of the tax year) before you can use them.
Bitcoin Tax in the UK: FAQ
How much tax do I pay on bitcoin in the UK?
Capital Gains Tax at 18% (within the basic-rate band) or 24% on gains above the £3,000 annual allowance.
Is swapping crypto taxable in the UK?
Yes. Exchanging one token for another, spending crypto or giving it away (except to a spouse, civil partner or charity) is a disposal for CGT.
How is the cost of my bitcoin worked out?
Bitcoin you hold is pooled at average cost (a section 104 pool), except that coins bought the same day as a sale, or within 30 days after it, are matched to that sale first.
Sources (7)
General information about the rules for individual investors, checked October 2026. Tax depends on your circumstances and residence; check with the tax authority or an adviser. Not tax advice.