Spain's sweeping changes to cryptocurrency taxation ignite concerns over mass departures and create regulatory turmoil
Spain’s leftist Sumar bloc in parliament has introduced a comprehensive proposal to revamp the nation’s crypto tax laws, potentially positioning Spain among the EU’s strictest regulators. The initiative, currently being considered by the Congress of Deputies, aims to move crypto earnings from the category of non-financial assets into the general income tax base,
The proposal also presents practical obstacles. One provision would classify all cryptocurrencies as assets that can be seized, extending rules that currently only apply to EU-regulated tokens under the Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) regulation. However, legal experts contend this is not feasible for tokens like Tether’s USDT, which are not stored with Spanish custodians.
Spain’s tax agency (AEAT) has stepped up scrutiny of crypto investors, issuing 620,000 warning letters in 2024 alone. Nevertheless, the suggested changes could worsen the current uncertainty. Spanish tax advisory firm Lullius Partners observed that the existing laws do not clearly define taxable events, making compliance more difficult. Meanwhile, an alternative plan from tax inspectors Juan Faus and José María Gentil
If these reforms are implemented, they could dramatically alter Spain’s crypto environment, possibly discouraging both investors and service providers. Critics caution that the changes could create “total disorder in the crypto tax system” and prompt a significant outflow of wealthy investors. As lawmakers debate the proposals, Spain’s crypto industry remains in limbo, unsure whether the reforms will bring much-needed clarity or further complicate the nation’s approach to taxing digital assets.
