Why crypto tax needs a specialist
Crypto tax in the UK has more edge cases than most asset classes. HMRC's guidance evolves; case law is thin; the technical reality of DeFi keeps moving. A general-purpose accountant typically doesn't handle crypto often enough to know the current rules.
- Capital gains on disposals - selling crypto, swapping one token for another, paying for goods/services with crypto, gifting (except spouse). All disposals.
- Pooled cost basis (Section 104) - HMRC requires pooled cost calculation for most crypto, with same-day and 30-day rules. Spreadsheets get messy fast.
- Staking and DeFi income - HMRC treats most staking rewards as miscellaneous income at receipt, then capital gains on disposal. Liquidity provision and yield farming have additional complexity.
- NFTs - typically capital gains, but business-like NFT activity may be trading income.
- Mining - usually trading income (taxed as self-employment) or miscellaneous income, depending on scale and intent.
- Airdrops, hard forks, gas fees - each has specific HMRC treatment that's not always intuitive.
Who we work with
- Active crypto investors with disposals to report on Self Assessment
- Crypto traders running high-volume or business-like activity
- DeFi participants using lending, liquidity provision, yield farming
- NFT collectors and creators
- Crypto miners and validators
- Businesses paid in crypto - freelancers, agencies, founders receiving stablecoin or token payments
- Crypto employees - staff receiving token compensation, RSU equivalents
How matching works
- Tell us about your crypto activity - exchanges used, rough transaction volume, types of activity (HODL/trading/DeFi/NFT/mining).
- We match you with a specialist firm - all UK-based, all crypto-fluent, with experience in your specific activity type.
- Free intro call - 15-30 minutes. No obligation, no fee.
- You decide. We're paid by the firm only if you become a client.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a crypto tax accountant cost in the UK?+
Highly variable based on transaction volume. Low-volume HODLer with under 100 disposals: £200-£500/year for SA filing only. Active trader with 1,000+ transactions: £600-£1,500/year. DeFi power user with complex protocols: £1,500-£4,000+/year. Most use Koinly or similar to do the heavy reconciliation, with the accountant reviewing and filing.
Do I need to declare crypto if I haven't sold any?+
Holding crypto isn't taxable. Disposing of it (selling, swapping, spending, gifting except to spouse) typically is. Plus staking/DeFi income is taxable on receipt even if you haven't disposed. So 'I haven't sold' often doesn't mean 'no tax to declare'.
What about crypto received from work?+
Crypto received as employment income is taxable as employment income at fair market value at receipt. PAYE/NI applies. Subsequent disposal is capital gains on the difference between sale price and the value at receipt.
Should I use Koinly or a specialist accountant?+
Most active investors use both. Koinly (or CoinTracker/Recap) handles the transaction reconciliation and pooled cost calculation. The specialist accountant reviews the output, handles edge cases, and files the return. Together they cost less than relying on a generic accountant doing it manually.
Tell us about your situation. We'll match you with the right specialist.
No fees, no obligation. We come back within 1 working day.