What is DAC8 and how does crypto reporting work?

DAC8 is the eighth amendment to the EU's Directive on Administrative Cooperation, and it brings crypto-assets into the automatic exchange of tax information between member states. Under DAC8, crypto platforms serving EU residents must collect details about those users and their transactions and report them to a national tax authority, which shares the data with the user's home country. It creates reporting duties, not a new tax.

What is the DAC8 regulation?

Strictly, DAC8 is a directive, not a regulation, so each member state writes it into its own law. The Council of the EU adopted it unanimously on October 17, 2023 as Directive (EU) 2023/2226, and it was published in the Official Journal on October 24, 2023. Member states had to transpose it by December 31, 2025.

Not all did. On January 30, 2026 the European Commission sent letters of formal notice to 12 member states, including Belgium, Estonia, the Netherlands, Poland and Spain, giving them two months to respond, KPMG reported. Several have since passed laws, as covered in country guides such as how crypto is taxed in Poland.

DAC8 also adds exchange of information on certain dividends and on cross-border tax rulings for wealthy individuals.

How does DAC8 crypto reporting work in 2026?

The reporting firms are called reporting crypto-asset service providers. The Commission describes them as people and companies that carry out exchange transactions in crypto for customers. Those operating in the EU without a licence under MiCA must register in one member state.

From January 1, 2026, these providers collect data on reportable transactions of all EU-resident users. Reports are broken down by asset and include aggregate amounts paid or received on purchases and sales, or the fair market value of transfers, along with details identifying the user. The Council says the scope covers stablecoins, e-money tokens and certain NFTs. Exchanges between tax authorities for the 2026 year must happen by September 30, 2027.

What is CARF crypto reporting?

The Crypto-Asset Reporting Framework is an OECD standard published on October 10, 2022. It requires service providers such as exchanges, brokers, dealers and crypto ATM operators to report crypto-to-money trades, crypto-to-crypto trades and transfers, and some large retail payments. Countries that sign up swap the data automatically. The UK's version is explained in what is an HMRC crypto letter.

What is the difference between DAC8 and CARF?

They share the same core rules. The Commission says DAC8 is based on CARF and that OECD commentary can help interpret it where the texts align. The difference is reach. DAC8 is binding EU law for all 27 member states, uses MiCA's definitions and adds the non-crypto items above. CARF is a global standard that each country adopts voluntarily. As of March 2026, 76 members of the OECD's Global Forum had announced plans to start CARF exchanges, most by 2027, according to the Commission. More countries are compared in crypto tax around the world.

Rules differ by country and change often. Check the tax authority or a qualified professional for your own situation.