Capital Gains on Cryptocurrencies in France: Tax Regime, Calculation, and Reporting Obligations for 2025

Understanding the Taxation of Digital Asset Capital Gains in 2025

Individuals fiscally domiciled in France who sell digital assets (Bitcoin, Ethereum, etc.) for consideration are subject to a specific tax regime.

The tax treatment differs depending on whether the activity falls under private asset management or is deemed professional.

1. Taxation for Individuals (Private Asset Management)

Tax Regime

Capital gains on the sale of digital assets fall under Article 150 VH bis of the French Tax Code (CGI). They are subject to:

• By default, the flat tax (Prélèvement Forfaitaire Unique) at 12.8%,

• Plus social security contributions at 17.2%,

• Resulting in a total tax rate of 30%.

Taxpayers can opt for the progressive income tax scale. This option applies globally to all gains within the tax household.

Exemption

Capital gains are exempt if the total annual sale proceeds (excluding deferred exchanges) do not exceed €305.

Tax Deferral

Like-kind exchanges without boot (additional payment) qualify for a tax deferral.

2. Activity with Professional Characteristics: BNC or BIC?

When operations are frequent, organized, and based on technical expertise (e.g., trading bots, arbitrage), taxation switches to:

• BNC (Non-commercial profits) under Article 92, 2-1° bis of the CGI for occasional professional activities

• BIC (Commercial profits), if the trading activity is a primary business

Income from mining or participation in blockchain protocols (such as staking) is taxed as BNC.

3. Capital Gains Calculation Method

Official Formula

Capital Gain = Sale Price − [Total Acquisition Price of Portfolio × (Sale Price / Total Value of Portfolio)]

• Sale Price: actual amount received (fiat, goods, or services), minus transaction fees

• Total Acquisition Price: sum of fiat spent and value of goods/services received, excluding deferred exchanges

• Total Portfolio Value: value of all digital assets held by the household

Capital losses may only offset gains of the same nature within the same tax year.

4. Reporting Obligations

Declaring Capital Gains

• Form 2086: lists each taxable transaction

• Integrated into form 2042-C for income tax reporting

Deferred exchanges (without boot) do not require reporting.

Declaring Foreign Crypto Accounts

Form 3916-bis is mandatory for any crypto wallet opened, held, used, or closed abroad.

Penalties:

• €750 fine per undeclared account (€1,500 if account exceeds €50,000 in value)

Conclusion

France's crypto tax regime has become increasingly structured since 2019. Every crypto transaction requires robust documentation, detailed tracking of the portfolio, and a clear distinction between private and professional use. When in doubt, seek guidance from a qualified tax professional.