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Cryptocurrencies: An empirical view from a Tax Perspective

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Abstract

This paper sheds light on the scarce empirical evidence on cryptocurrency users and use types. Based on the only available empirical estimate (shared by Chainalysis), this paper simulates the revenue potential from taxing Bitcoin capital gains in the EU. Total estimated Bitcoin capital gains in the EU amount to 12.7 billion EUR in 2020, including 3.6 billion EUR of realized gains. Applying national tax rules on capital gains from shares to those from Bitcoin yields a simulated tax revenue of about 850 million EUR in 2020. This paper is the first to empirically assess the tax revenue potential of capital gains from Bitcoin in the EU. While most of the empirical cryptocurrency literature is based on time-series data, this paper relies on dis-aggregated country-level data. The findings show that revenue from taxing cryptocurrencies is non-negligible and will be if the market of cryptocurrencies continues to grow.

Suggested Citation

  • Andreas Thiemann, 2021. "Cryptocurrencies: An empirical view from a Tax Perspective," JRC Working Papers on Taxation & Structural Reforms 2021-12, Joint Research Centre.
    • Handle: RePEc:ipt:taxref:202112
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    File URL: https://publications.jrc.ec.europa.eu/repository/handle/JRC126109
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Hanna Halaburda & Guillaume Haeringer & Joshua Gans & Neil Gandal, 2022. "The Microeconomics of Cryptocurrencies," Journal of Economic Literature, American Economic Association, vol. 60(3), pages 971-1013, September.
    2. Habip Demirhan, 2019. "Effective Taxation System by Blockchain Technology," Contributions to Economics, in: Umit Hacioglu (ed.), Blockchain Economics and Financial Market Innovation, chapter 0, pages 347-360, Springer.
    3. Michel Rauchs & Apolline Blandin & Kristina Klein & Gina Pieters & Martino Recanatini & Bryan Zhang, 2018. "2nd Global Cryptoasset Benchmarking Study," Cambridge Centre for Alternative Finance Reports 201812-sgcbs, Cambridge Centre for Alternative Finance, Cambridge Judge Business School, University of Cambridge.
    4. Corbet, Shaen & Lucey, Brian & Urquhart, Andrew & Yarovaya, Larisa, 2019. "Cryptocurrencies as a financial asset: A systematic analysis," International Review of Financial Analysis, Elsevier, vol. 62(C), pages 182-199.
    5. Nicole Jonker, 2018. "What drives bitcoin adoption by retailers," DNB Working Papers 585, Netherlands Central Bank, Research Department.
    6. Yoshi Fujiwara & Rubaiyat Islam, 2021. "Bitcoin's Crypto Flow Network," Papers 2106.11446, arXiv.org, revised Jul 2021.
    7. Dirk G. Baur & Thomas Dimpfl, 2021. "The volatility of Bitcoin and its role as a medium of exchange and a store of value," Empirical Economics, Springer, vol. 61(5), pages 2663-2683, November.
    8. European Commission, 2021. "Taxation trends in the European Union: 2021 edition," Taxation trends 2020, Directorate General Taxation and Customs Union, European Commission.
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    Cited by:

    1. Goel, Rajeev K. & Mazhar, Ummad, 2024. "Cryptocurrency use and tax collections: Direct and indirect channels of influence," Journal of Financial Stability, Elsevier, vol. 72(C).

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Capital gains taxation; cryptocurrencies; Bitcoin.;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • G19 - Financial Economics - - General Financial Markets - - - Other
    • G23 - Financial Economics - - Financial Institutions and Services - - - Non-bank Financial Institutions; Financial Instruments; Institutional Investors
    • H24 - Public Economics - - Taxation, Subsidies, and Revenue - - - Personal Income and Other Nonbusiness Taxes and Subsidies

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