Crypto taxation in France has evolved significantly since 2019. In 2026, the rules are broadly stable but remain complex, particularly for active DeFi or NFT investors. The good news: with proper organisation, you can legally minimise your tax bill.
Since 2019, any holder of crypto-assets residing in France must declare all accounts held abroad (form 3916-bis) and any capital gains (form 2086). Failure to comply is punishable by fines of up to β¬10,000 per undeclared account.
How Crypto Is Taxed in France
Gains on crypto-assets are taxed in France under the digital assets regime (Article 150 VH bis of the General Tax Code). The key rules:
- Taxable event: only when converting to fiat currency (euros, dollars) or when purchasing goods or services. Crypto-to-crypto exchanges are not taxable since 2022.
- Rate: flat tax of 30% (12.8% income tax + 17.2% social charges)
- Progressive tax option: you may opt for the progressive income tax scale if your marginal rate is below 12.8%. Rare, but available to low earners.
How to Calculate Your Capital Gain
The calculation method is proportional (not FIFO). The official formula is:
Capital gain = Disposal amount β (Total portfolio value at time of disposal Γ Fraction disposed / Total portfolio value at time of disposal)
This formula is complex, but tools like Koinly, CryptoTaxCalculator or Waltio automate the calculation by connecting to your exchanges (Binance, Coinbase, Krakenβ¦).
Simplified Example
You invested β¬10,000 in Bitcoin and Ethereum. Your portfolio is now worth β¬30,000. You sell for β¬6,000:
- Fraction disposed = 6,000 / 30,000 = 20%
- Acquisition cost allocated = 10,000 Γ 20% = β¬2,000
- Taxable gain = 6,000 β 2,000 = β¬4,000
- Tax due = 4,000 Γ 30% = β¬1,200
Form 2086: What You Need to Fill In
Form 2086 must be attached to your 2042 tax return each year if you have made taxable disposals. It requires:
- The date of each disposal
- The total portfolio value at the date of disposal
- The disposal price
- The corresponding acquisition cost (calculated using the proportional formula)
- The capital gain or loss realised
| Transaction Type | Taxable? | Form |
|---|---|---|
| Sale of BTC for euros | β Yes | 2086 |
| Exchange BTC β ETH | β No (since 2022) | β |
| Purchase of goods with Bitcoin | β Yes | 2086 |
| Staking / Mining | β Yes (BIC/BNC) | 2042 C PRO |
| Airdrops | Tax grey area β declare as precaution | 2042 C |
| NFT β sale for crypto or β¬ | β Yes | 2086 or 2042 |
DeFi and Staking: The Tax Grey Area
Decentralised finance (DeFi) raises complex tax issues not yet fully resolved by the French tax authority:
- Yield farming / Liquidity mining: rewards are treated as income (BNC) taxable upon receipt; subsequent disposals follow the standard crypto regime.
- Staking: staking rewards are taxable as BIC (industrial and commercial profits) if the activity is regular.
- Crypto lending (Aave, Compound): interest received is taxable. The collateral is not a disposal if you recover it.
Legal Optimisation Strategies for 2026
1. Only Sell What You Need
Every sale into euros triggers a taxable event. If you don't need liquidity, HODLing is your best tax strategy.
2. Crystallise Your Losses
Realised losses are deductible from gains in the same year and can be carried forward 10 years. At year-end, if some positions are in the red, consider selling them to "purge" the tax impact (note: there is no wash-sale rule in France for crypto).
3. Annual Thresholds
If your total disposals for the year are below β¬305, you are exempt from capital gains tax on crypto. This is a low threshold but useful for small investors.
4. Gifting Before Selling
Gifting crypto to your children before selling can eliminate embedded gains (the gift resets the acquisition cost; tax only applies if the recipient sells). Use with caution and with the assistance of a notary.
Declaring Foreign Crypto Accounts
Any account on a foreign platform (Binance, Kraken, Coinbaseβ¦) must be declared using form 3916-bis, even if you have made no capital gains. The penalty for non-declaration is β¬750 per account (β¬1,500 if the balance exceeds β¬50,000).