Global Crypto Tax and Regulation 2026 — At a Glance

The PwC Global Crypto Regulation and Tax Report 2026 explore the rapidly evolving landscape for digital assets. Global crypto and digital asset policy has reached an inflection point, transitioning decisively from rule‑making to execution in 2026. Supervisors are rolling out binding requirements, while prudential, custody and market‑conduct rules for intermediaries are entering force across major jurisdictions. This operational focus is creating the conditions for institutional adoption at scale, even as headline prices remain volatile.

In EU with MiCAR moving fully into supervision led by ESMA and EBA placing particular emphasis on stablecoins, firms are adjusting to requirements around authorisation requirements, reserve composition, segregation rules, governance and disclosure obligations. With key focus on being operationally ready and building clear DORA’s ICT risk and compliance plans to meet the MiCAR timelines. 

Ireland’s crypto‑asset landscape is undergoing a decisive shift as the CBI advances its implementation of MiCAR. CBI have established a rigorous but collaborative supervisory approach with clear expectations for governance, transparency, and market conduct, positioning Ireland as a credible hub for firms seeking to operate and scale across the EU Single Market under a unified regulatory regime.

Tax transparency is accelerating in parallel. The OECD’s CARF is being adopted broadly and in Ireland, DAC 8 introduces CARF as well as amendments to the Common Reporting Standard (“CRS 2.0”). CARF applies to reporting periods commencing on or after 1 January 2026.

The CARF reporting deadline in Ireland is 31 May, with 31 May 2027 being the first reporting deadline in respect of the 2026 calendar year.

Reporting Crypto-Asset Service Providers (“RCASPs”) must register with Irish Revenue by 31 December of the first year in which they become an RCASP and will have reporting obligations with respect to relevant Crypto-Assets.

From a VAT perspective, the exchange of cryptocurrency remains VAT‑exempt under the Hedqvist judgment. Additionally, Revenue guidance also indicates that income received from cryptocurrency mining activities generally will be outside the scope of VAT on the basis that the activity does not constitute an economic activity for VAT purposes.