Denmark to Become First Country to Tax Unrealized Crypto Gains

• Denmark to introduce a 42% tax on unused crypto gains, starting as early as 2026.
• The Danish tax will apply additionally to all crypto assets acquired since Bitcoin’s 2009 launch.
• Italy considers raising its Bitcoin capital gains tax from 26% to 42%, aligning with Denmark.

Denmark will become the first country to tax inactive gains from crypto investments. Starting 2026, Danish crypto investors may face a tax rate of up to 42% on unused capital gains, similar to the taxation of digital assets like Bitcoin.

The proposed legislation, developed by Denmark’s Tax Law Council, will also apply to crypto assets acquired since Bitcoin’s 2009 launch.

New Tax Proposal for Crypto Investments

If approved by the Danish Parliament, the proposed tax will target inactive gains on crypto holdings. Investors will be taxed on the increased value of their digital assets, even if they haven’t sold or traded them.