Doctrine by topic · DGT Observatory

Cryptocurrencies: DGT doctrinal evolution

How the DGT's position on this topic has evolved, and the rulings it rests on.

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How the DGT's position has evolved

Refined position High confidence 26 rulings · 2017–2025

Current position

The exchange of cryptocurrencies outside of an economic activity is considered a barter that generates capital gains or losses within the savings tax base. Quantification is based on the difference between the acquisition value of the asset transferred and the higher of the market value of the asset delivered or received. In the event of scams, the capital loss must be substantiated through evidence admitted under Law to be deductible.

The DGT has moved from classifying buying and selling activities under financial services headings to defining the nature of the operations. It has been specified that the exchange of cryptocurrencies is a barter and that providing services to third parties does constitute an economic activity, unlike personal investment. Likewise, the necessary evidentiary rigor for deducting losses due to fraud or scams has been established.

Turning points

  1. V2843-21

    Distinguishes between personal investment, which is not an economic activity, and the provision of buying, selling, or mining services to third parties, which is.

  2. V2407-23

    Determines that the delivery of cryptocurrencies as payment is a delivery of money as consideration, an operation not subject to IVA (Value Added Tax) according to article 7.12º of Law 37/1992.

  3. V2513-25

    Defines the exchange of virtual currencies as a barter for the determination of capital gains or losses in the savings tax base.

Analysis based on 23 of 26 rulings with a stated position. Updated 24 September 2026.

Rulings on this topic

24
V2232-25 24 Nov 2025

Ownership-based crypto trading not considered economic activity

SG de Tributación de las Operaciones Financieras
actividad económicacriptomonedasmedios de producciónhecho imponibleiae LIRPF — Ley 35/2006 del IRPF art. 27.1TRLRHL — RDLeg 2/2004 de Haciendas Locales art. 78
Affects CompanyExpat · Non-residentIndividual
V1169-25 1 Jul 2025

Loss can be recognised as patrimonial if crypto theft is proven

SG de Impuestos sobre la Renta de las Personas Físicas
pérdida patrimonialbase imponible generaljustificación de pérdidascriptomonedasphishing LIRPF — Ley 35/2006 del IRPF art. 33.1LIRPF — Ley 35/2006 del IRPF art. 33.5.a
Affects CompanyExpat · Non-residentIndividual
V1828-24 1 Aug 2024

Loss from crypto scam computable in IRPF if proven

SG de Impuestos sobre la Renta de las Personas Físicas
pérdida patrimonialbase imponible generaljustificación de pérdidasestafacriptomonedas LIRPF — Ley 35/2006 del IRPF art. 33.1LIRPF — Ley 35/2006 del IRPF art. 33.5.a
Affects CompanyExpat · Non-residentIndividual
V1737-24 15 Jul 2024

Crypto loss from unknown scam included in general IRPF tax base

SG de Impuestos sobre la Renta de las Personas Físicas
pérdida patrimonialbase imponible generalcriptomonedasjustificación de pérdidasestafa LIRPF — Ley 35/2006 del IRPF art. 33.1LIRPF — Ley 35/2006 del IRPF art. 33.5.a
Affects CompanyExpat · Non-residentIndividual
V1607-24 3 Jul 2024

Minimum for descendants not applicable if child earns above 1,800 euros

SG de Impuestos sobre la Renta de las Personas Físicas
mínimo por descendientesganancias patrimonialespérdidas patrimonialescriptomonedasbase imponible del ahorro LIRPF — Ley 35/2006 del IRPF art. 33.1LIRPF — Ley 35/2006 del IRPF art. 34
Affects CompanyExpat · Non-residentIndividual
V0780-24 17 Apr 2024

Loss from fraud can be deducted if properly justified

SG de Impuestos sobre la Renta de las Personas Físicas
ganancias y pérdidas patrimonialesbase imponible generaljustificación de pérdidasmedios de pruebaestafa LIRPF — Ley 35/2006 del IRPF art. 33.1LIRPF — Ley 35/2006 del IRPF art. 33.5.a
Affects CompanyExpat · Non-residentIndividual
V0376-24 12 Mar 2024

Cryptocurrencies and foreign platform gains may not be taxable in model 151

SG de Impuestos sobre la Renta de las Personas Físicas
régimen especialcriptomonedascryptostakesganancias patrimonialesrendimientos del capital mobiliario LIRPF — Ley 35/2006 del IRPF art. 25.2LIRPF — Ley 35/2006 del IRPF art. 33.1
Affects CompanyExpat · Non-residentIndividual
V2616-22 23 Dec 2022

Regulatory framework for reporting foreign cryptocurrencies still pending

SG de Tributación de las Operaciones Financieras
criptomonedasmonedas virtualesbienes inmaterialesganancias patrimonialesobligación informativa LIRPF — Ley 35/2006 del IRPF art. 33.1LGT — Ley 58/2003 General Tributaria art. disposición adicional decimoctava
Affects CompanyExpat · Non-residentIndividual
V2520-22 7 Dec 2022

Cryptocurrency exchanges generate capital gains or losses

SG de Tributación de las Operaciones Financieras
criptomonedaspermutaganancia patrimonialvalor de mercadobase imponible del ahorro LIRPF — Ley 35/2006 del IRPF art. 2LIRPF — Ley 35/2006 del IRPF art. 14.1.c
Affects CompanyExpat · Non-residentIndividual
V2843-21 16 Nov 2021

Self-trading of cryptocurrencies not considered economic activity

SG de Tributos Locales
actividad económicacriptomonedashecho imponiblemedios de producciónminado de criptomonedas TRLRHL Texto Refundido Ley Reguladora de las Haciendas LocalesInstrucción para la aplicación de las Tarifas del IAE
Affects CompanyExpat · Non-residentIndividual
V2679-21 5 Nov 2021

Crypto buy-sell exempt from VAT; custody and staking taxable

SG de Impuestos sobre el Consumo
criptomonedascompraventa de divisascustodia de activosstakingexención LIVA — Ley 37/1992 del IVA art. 20.Uno.18º.jLIVA — Ley 37/1992 del IVA art. 20.Uno.18º.k
Affects CompanyExpat · Non-residentIndividual
V2012-21 6 Jul 2021

No obligation to register with IAE for personal bitcoin buying and selling

SG de Tributos Locales
impuesto sobre actividades económicashecho imponibleactividad económicacriptomonedasordenación de medios TRLRHL — RDLeg 2/2004 de Haciendas Locales art. 78.1TRLRHL — RDLeg 2/2004 de Haciendas Locales art. 79.1
Affects CompanyExpat · Non-residentIndividual
V0590-18 1 Mar 2018

Bitcoin and cryptoassets must be declared in Wealth Tax at euro value

SG de Impuestos Patrimoniales, Tasas y Precios Públicos
criptomonedasmonedas virtualesprecio de mercadodevengomedios de pago LIP — Ley 19/1991 del Impuesto sobre el Patrimonio art. 24LGT — Ley 58/2003 General Tributaria art. 89.1
Affects CompanyExpat · Non-residentIndividual

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