Denmark Proposes Tax on Unrealized Crypto Gains by 2026

Denmark is considering new tax rules that have the potential to severely impact crypto investors as early as 2026. The Danish Tax Law Council has suggested taxing unrealized gains and losses on crypto assets, meaning investors may owe taxes on the value of their assets, even if they haven’t sold them.

In a 93-page report , the Council outlined three potential models for taxing crypto: capital gains tax, warehouse taxation, and inventory taxation. The “inventory taxation” model, which seems favored, would treat an investor’s entire crypto portfolio as one “inventory,” taxing it yearly, regardless of sales.

Source:  X

Danish Tax Minister Rasmus Stoklund noted that current tax rules are often unfair to crypto investors, and the new rules aim to simplify the process. However, these are just recommendations and not final laws.

The proposal also suggests requiring crypto service providers, like exchanges, to report user transactions, which would be accessible to all EU countries. Stoklund emphasized that the Danish Parliament will discuss the bill in 2025, with the earliest possible start date being January 2026.

This potential move follows similar efforts worldwide. In the U.S., Kamala Harris has backed a tax on unsold assets, while Italy is considering raising taxes on Bitcoin holdings.

Denmark’s new tax rules, if approved, could significantly impact crypto investors, and the development didn’t go down well with the crypto community, who have termed it as a retribution step against crypto.