When crypto triggers CGT
| Transaction | CGT event? |
|---|---|
| Selling crypto for Australian dollars | Yes |
| Swapping one crypto for another (including stablecoins) | Yes – proceeds are the AUD value of what you received |
| Paying for goods or services with crypto | Yes. The personal use asset exemption only applies if the crypto was acquired for less than $10,000 and kept or used mainly to buy items for personal use – not if it was held as an investment or spent via conversion to dollars, gift cards, crypto debit cards or payment gateways |
| Gifting crypto | Yes – proceeds are the market value |
| Moving crypto between your own wallets | No |
| Buying crypto with Australian dollars | No (records your cost base) |
Worked example
Selling 0.8 BTC bought in two parcels
0.5 BTC bought November 2020 for $13,500; 0.5 BTC bought August 2025 for $82,000. In March 2026, 0.8 BTC is sold for $120,000 with $120 exchange fees. Other taxable income: $85,000.
- FIFO: the 2020 parcel (discounted) and 0.3 BTC of the 2025 parcel (held under 12 months, no discount).
- Capital gain $57,180; net capital gain $28,590
- Estimated tax: $9,149
Records to keep
- Date and time of each transaction, and the AUD value at that time
- What the transaction was for and who the other party was (even if only a wallet address)
- Exchange records, wallet addresses, and fees paid
- Records of staking, airdrops and DeFi activity
Lost or stolen crypto may give a capital loss only if you can show ownership, the loss and that it can’t be recovered.
Major crypto assets have a readily ascertainable market value, so you’ll need the AUD price at the end of 30 June 2027 for any holdings you sell later. The calculator asks for it when your sale date is after 1 July 2027. About the changes.
Frequently asked questions
Is crypto taxed as a capital gain in Australia?
For most investors, yes. Crypto is property and a CGT asset. You make a capital gain or loss when you dispose of it – selling for dollars, swapping for another token, using it to pay for goods or services, or gifting it. If you trade crypto as a business, profits are ordinary income instead.
Is swapping one crypto for another taxable?
Yes. A crypto-to-crypto swap is a disposal of the first token. Your capital proceeds are the Australian dollar market value of the token you received at the time of the swap, and that value becomes the cost of the new token.
Is moving crypto between my own wallets a CGT event?
No. Transferring crypto between wallets you own is not a disposal, because you keep ownership. Keep records showing both wallets are yours.
Do I get the 50% discount on crypto?
Yes, if you are an Australian resident individual (or trust) and held the crypto for at least 12 months before disposing of it (not counting the days you bought and sold).
How are staking rewards and airdrops taxed?
Staking rewards are generally ordinary income when you receive them, valued in Australian dollars. That value then becomes the cost base of those tokens for CGT when you later dispose of them. Airdrops are income only if received for goods or services or in a business; other airdrops aren’t income, and their cost base is their market value when received (often nil).
Does the ATO know about my crypto?
The ATO runs a data-matching program that collects account and transaction data from Australian crypto exchanges. Keep complete records of every transaction.
References
Every figure on this page was checked against these primary sources on 16 October 2026.
General information only – not financial or tax advice. See our disclaimer. Spotted an error? Email [email protected].