Crypto Capital Gains Tax: The Complete US & UK Guide (2026)
How disposals are taxed, what counts as a taxable event, and worked examples for both IRS and HMRC rules — with the exact numbers, not just the theory.
Written by M. Faizan | Updated 28 June 2026 | 11 min read
I'm a developer, not a tax professional. This guide is researched from primary sources (linked in each section) but hasn't been reviewed by a CPA. Verify against official guidance before filing.
In this guide
1. What counts as a taxable disposal
2. US (IRS) short-term vs long-term rules
3. UK (HMRC) rate bands & share pooling
4. Worked example: same trade, two countries
5. Frequently asked questions
1. What counts as a taxable disposal?
Both the IRS and HMRC treat cryptocurrency as property, not currency. That single classification is why crypto tax feels more complicated than stock trading — nearly everything you do with the asset is a disposal event: