Coinbase Reportedly Warns Some UK Users It's Handing Their Details to the Taxman

U.K. users of the exchange who have received £5,000 or more in the past tax year will have their information passed to the tax authority.

AccessTimeIconOct 2, 2020 at 2:15 p.m. UTC
Updated May 9, 2023 at 3:12 a.m. UTC
10 Years of Decentralizing the Future
May 29-31, 2024 - Austin, TexasThe biggest and most established global hub for everything crypto, blockchain and Web3.Register Now

Coinbase has told some of its users it is passing their details onto the U.K. tax authority, HMRC.

  • As first reported by Decrypt, the popular crypto exchange emailed some users saying that as part of a deal with HMRC, it must provide records on customers who had received more than £5,000 ($6,500) during the 2019-2020 tax year.
  • The email appears to have been only sent to users the exchange believed crossed that threshold; it encourages them to reach out to their accountants or tax advisers.
  • The notice comes over a year after HMRC first requested crypto exchanges send over information on U.K. residents who had moved money on their platforms.
  • Per the email, Coinbase said HMRC had originally requested records on its customers between 2017 and 2019, but a compromise limited the data to customers using digital assets to receive greater amounts.
  • In the U.K., cryptocurrencies count as an investment asset and are subject to capital gains tax, which for high-income earners can come to approximately 20% on gains.
  • Why Worldcoin Is Launching a Layer 2
    20:07
    Why Worldcoin Is Launching a Layer 2
  • Polymarket Traders Bet on Fed Rate Cuts; Bitcoin Spot ETFs Register Five-Day Withdrawals Streak
    02:17
    Polymarket Traders Bet on Fed Rate Cuts; Bitcoin Spot ETFs Register Five-Day Withdrawals Streak
  • Base Monthly Active Addresses Increased by 160% in March: Nansen
    00:50
    Base Monthly Active Addresses Increased by 160% in March: Nansen
  • Bitcoin Halving: We Answer Your Questions
    04:16
    Bitcoin Halving: We Answer Your Questions
  • Disclosure

    Please note that our privacy policy, terms of use, cookies, and do not sell my personal information has been updated.

    CoinDesk is an award-winning media outlet that covers the cryptocurrency industry. Its journalists abide by a strict set of editorial policies. In November 2023, CoinDesk was acquired by the Bullish group, owner of Bullish, a regulated, digital assets exchange. The Bullish group is majority-owned by Block.one; both companies have interests in a variety of blockchain and digital asset businesses and significant holdings of digital assets, including bitcoin. CoinDesk operates as an independent subsidiary with an editorial committee to protect journalistic independence. CoinDesk employees, including journalists, may receive options in the Bullish group as part of their compensation.


    Learn more about Consensus 2024, CoinDesk's longest-running and most influential event that brings together all sides of crypto, blockchain and Web3. Head to consensus.coindesk.com to register and buy your pass now.