CryptoLens/Free tools
UK · 2025/26 · £3,000 AEA

Crypto CGT Allowance — UK 2025/26

The UK Capital Gains Tax allowance for the 2025/26 tax year is £3,000. Below that you owe nothing. Above it you owe 18% (basic rate) or 24% (higher rate). CryptoLens shows you exactly how much of your allowance you've already used — across every chain, every token, every disposal.

Check my allowance — free Read the full 2025/26 guide
703
Wallets tracked
7
Holders signed up
8
Chains supported
  • £3,000 annual exempt amount (down from £6,000 in 2023/24)
  • 18% basic rate / 24% higher rate (post-Oct-2024 Budget)
  • All 8 chains aggregated into one allowance pool
  • Allowance can't be carried forward — use it or lose it
  • Spouse transfers don't trigger CGT — handy planning tool
  • Live calculation — refresh as the tax year progresses

How the £3,000 CGT allowance works for crypto

Every UK individual gets a Capital Gains Tax allowance — the "annual exempt amount" or AEA. For 2025/26 it's £3,000. That's the total amount of net gains you can realise across ALL of your assets (crypto, shares, property, etc.) before HMRC charges you any CGT. Important nuances most people miss: · The £3,000 is a NET figure. Losses on one asset offset gains on another before the allowance is applied. So a £5,000 BTC gain plus a £2,000 ETH loss = £3,000 net — exactly your allowance, zero tax due. · The allowance applies to GAINS, not proceeds. You could sell £100,000 of BTC and owe nothing if your cost basis was £97,000. But: if your total proceeds exceed £50,000 in a year, you must still file a Self Assessment even if you owe no tax. · It can't be carried forward. Unused allowance is lost on 5 April. Worth thinking about a December "tax-loss harvest" or January "gain harvest" depending on which way your portfolio is positioned. · Spouse transfers aren't disposals. You can move crypto to a spouse or civil partner tax-free; they inherit your cost basis. If they then sell, the gain is theirs and uses their £3,000 allowance — effectively doubling the family allowance to £6,000. CryptoLens applies all of this automatically. Paste a wallet, see live where you stand against your allowance, and get a clear "you owe £X CGT at basic rate / £Y at higher rate" estimate. Free.

Frequently asked questions

What was the UK crypto CGT allowance before 2025/26?▾

It's been falling fast. £12,300 in 2022/23, £6,000 in 2023/24, £3,000 in 2024/25, and £3,000 again for 2025/26. The reduction from £6,000 to £3,000 took effect on 6 April 2024 and has dragged thousands of UK crypto holders into Self Assessment for the first time.

When did the 18% / 24% rates start?▾

30 October 2024 (the Autumn Budget). Before that, crypto CGT was 10% for basic-rate taxpayers and 20% for higher-rate. So a disposal on 29 Oct 2024 falls under the old rates; a disposal on 30 Oct 2024 falls under the new ones. CryptoLens applies the correct rate based on the disposal date.

Can I split the allowance with my spouse?▾

You can't share an allowance directly, but you CAN transfer crypto to a spouse or civil partner without triggering CGT (no disposal). They inherit your original cost basis. If they then sell, the gain uses THEIR £3,000 allowance — so a couple effectively has £6,000 of allowance. Worth knowing for big years.

Do I need to report if I'm under the allowance?▾

Sometimes yes. If your TOTAL disposal proceeds (not net gains) exceed £50,000 in the tax year, you must file a Self Assessment SA108 even if you owe no CGT. Below £50,000 proceeds AND below the allowance, you don't need to file.

What counts as a 'disposal' for this allowance?▾

Selling crypto for fiat, swapping one token for another (including into stablecoins), spending crypto on goods/services, and gifting crypto to anyone other than a spouse. Bridging across chains and moving between your own wallets are NOT disposals.

Is CryptoLens free to use this calculator?▾

Yes. Wallet scanning, live allowance tracking, and a 2025/26 CGT estimate are free forever. Pro (£4.99/mo) adds the HMRC SA108-ready PDF, multi-wallet rollup, and price alerts.

Ready to get started?

Free forever plan. No credit card. Cancel Pro any time.

Check my allowance — free