Crypto Tax Data to Be Collected in 48 Countries Ahead of CARF 2027
A new global tax transparency push will see crypto news take a regulatory turn in 2026, as 48 countries and jurisdictions begin systematically recording crypto wallet transactions under the OECD’s Crypto-Asset Reporting Framework (CARF). The goal is to tighten oversight of blockchain-based activity, combat tax evasion, and bring the fast‑growing crypto pur ecosystem closer to traditional financial reporting standards.
What CARF Is and When It Starts
CARF is an international tax transparency regime developed by the OECD to standardize how countries collect and share data on crypto-asset activity. It is scheduled to take full effect in 2027, when participating jurisdictions will start automatically exchanging information with each other. However, from Jan. 1, 2026, crypto service providers in those jurisdictions must already begin collecting the necessary transaction data so that it can be reported once exchanges go live in 2027. This marks a major shift from voluntary or patchwork reporting to a coordinated global framework.
Who Has to Collect Crypto Tax Data?
Under CARF, a wide range of crypto intermediaries are caught by the rules. Centralized exchanges, certain decentralized platforms, brokers, dealers, and even crypto ATMs operating in participating countries will be required to capture detailed information on users and their blockchain transactions. Many of the 48 early‑adopting jurisdictions have either enacted the needed legislation or are in the final stages of bringing those laws into force so that collection can run throughout 2026. The primary aim is to ensure taxpayers cannot hide crypto income or gains simply by using offshore exchanges or wallets.
Global Rollout in Two Waves
The initial group of 48 countries will start gathering reportable data during 2026 so they can begin cross‑border information exchanges in 2027. A second wave of 27 jurisdictions, including Australia, Canada, Mexico, and Switzerland, is scheduled to start sharing data a year later, in 2028, but still must begin collecting CARF‑compliant information by Jan. 1, 2027. Some, like Hong Kong, are already consulting on how to embed CARF into domestic law and how to update existing tax reporting standards to better address blockchain technology and cross‑border digital asset flows.
Beyond Taxes: Privacy and Enforcement Concerns
Officially, CARF data is limited to tax administration purposes. In practice, detailed records on wallet ownership, transaction histories, and off‑ramp activity could give authorities powerful insight into the identity and behavior of previously pseudonymous crypto users. Tax technology firms have pointed out that once collected and standardized, this information could support financial intelligence work, help trace illicit flows, and make it easier to link addresses to real‑world identities. For regulators, that promises stronger tools against crime; for crypto pur advocates, it raises concerns about surveillance and the erosion of self‑sovereign privacy on public blockchain networks.
What This Means for Crypto Users
For everyday investors and traders, the CARF rollout means tighter alignment between crypto activity and traditional tax rules. Users in participating countries should expect more detailed reporting from exchanges, fewer opportunities to “forget” offshore wallets at filing time, and growing pressure to keep accurate records of gains, losses, and income. While this may feel like extra friction, it also signals a maturing market where crypto news is increasingly about integration with mainstream finance rather than its separation from it.