Colombia and France Tighten Crypto Tax Rules — Here’s Who’s in Their Crosshairs

Colombia and France are escalating oversight of the crypto sector, signaling a new era in global tax enforcement. Exchanges, intermediaries, and even self-custody wallets are under unprecedented scrutiny. The measures reflect a growing push by governments to map crypto ownership, curb tax evasion, and align domestic rules with international transparency standards. Colombia Forces Crypto Exchanges to Report User Data In Colombia, the National Directorate of Taxes and Customs (DIAN) has introduced a mandatory reporting requirement for crypto service providers. It falls under Resolution 000240, issued on December 24, 2025. Exchanges, intermediaries, and other platforms handling Bitcoin, Ether, stablecoins, and other digital assets are now required to collect and submit detailed information on users and transactions. Reported data includes: Account ownership Transaction volume Number of units transferred Market value Net balances. Although the resolution took effect immediately, reporting obligations begin with the 2026 tax year. The first comprehensive filing is due by the last business day of May 2027. Colombia already required individual users to declare crypto holdings and gains in personal tax returns. However, DIAN had no mechanism for third-party reporting. The new measure enables authorities to verify user declarations and integrate digital assets more comprehensively into the tax system. Non-compliance or submission of inaccurate data may result in fines of up to 1% of unreported transaction values. Colombia ranks among Latin Americas most active crypto markets. A Chainalysis report from October 2025 noted the country recorded $44.2 billion in crypto transactions between July 2024 and June 2025. This makes it the fifth-largest market in the region. It is also the second-fastest-growing in terms of crypto value received, trailing only Brazil. Colombia Ranking in LATAM. Source: Chainalysis France Targets Self-Custody Wallets Above 5,000 Across the Atlantic, France is moving to expand reporting obligations to self-custody wallets. Amendments adopted by the National Assembly committee in December 2025 require holders of wallets such as Ledger, MetaMask, Rabby, and Deblock to declare accounts exceeding 5,000 ($5,800). The measure is backed across party lines and follows recommendations from the Conseil des prlvements obligatoires (CPO). It extends oversight beyond exchanges to the growing market of non-custodial crypto holdings. French lawmakers push follows a turbulent year, highlighting the risks of tax oversight. In May 2025, a database containing tax and personal information on over two million French taxpayers, including crypto holders, was discovered for sale on a dark web forum. Earlier in the year, a wave of violent kidnappings targeted crypto investors. At the same time, a tax official in Bobigny was indicted for using confidential taxpayer data. This includes crypto holdings to assist organized crime networks. These events highlighted the vulnerability of digital asset owners and strengthened the case for tighter regulation. The measures in Colombia and France demonstrate a global trend in which governments are no longer content with voluntary reporting. Exchanges, intermediaries, and individual holders are now part of a digital audit trail. It is designed to prevent evasion and ensure tax compliance. It mirrors recent developments in the UAE, which introduced one of its most sweeping regulatory overhauls in years. As BeInCrypto reported, the law criminalizes unlicensed crypto tools, including self-custody wallets. Taken together, these developments suggest that the era of semi-anonymity may be drawing to a close. Authorities are increasingly tracking wallet ownership and transactional activity, leaving no wallet left unseen. Crypto is fully on the tax authorities radar in these countries, and failure to comply carries tangible financial and legal risks. With Colombia and France leading the charge, investors and platforms worldwide may need to prepare for a more transparent and more closely monitored crypto market.