Hereâs a clear overview of crypto trading in France â covering legality, rules, taxes, and how it works if you want to trade crypto there in 2026:
đ«đ· 1. Is Crypto Trading Legal in France?
Yes â cryptocurrency trading is legal in France. You can buy, sell, and trade digital assets like Bitcoin, Ethereum, and others through regulated platforms. The French financial markets regulator (AutoritĂ© des MarchĂ©s Financiers â AMF) oversees crypto trading and requires exchanges and service providers to be registered and compliant with anti-money-laundering (AML) and know-your-customer (KYC) rules. ïżœ
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Since EU-wide MiCA regulation took effect, all crypto firms must obtain EU licenses (MiCA CASP) to operate legally across France and the EU, with a transition deadline around June 30, 2026. Firms not complying may have to exit the market or wind down operations. ïżœ
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đ 2. How Crypto Trading Works
Exchanges & Platforms: You can use regulated exchanges (like Coinbase, Binance, and others that comply with AMF/MiCA standards) to trade crypto for crypto or crypto for fiat (e.g., euros). ïżœ
Types of Trades:
Crypto-to-crypto trades: Trading one crypto for another (e.g., BTC â ETH).
Crypto-to-fiat trades: Selling crypto to euros â this is considered a disposal and is taxable (see taxes below).
Safety: Always choose platforms with strong security (2FA, cold storage) and ones registered in France/EU. ïżœ
Traders Union
đ° 3. Taxes on Crypto Trading
Taxes are one of the most important aspects of crypto trading in France:
đ§Ÿ Capital Gains & Taxable Events
Crypto-to-crypto trades generally not taxable â swapping crypto isnât a taxable event as long as you stay within digital assets. ïżœ
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Selling to fiat (e.g., EUR) is taxable.
Using crypto to buy goods/services is also treated as a disposal for tax purposes. ïżœ
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đ Tax Rates
Occasional traders: Flat 30% tax (called PrĂ©lĂšvement Forfaitaire Unique â PFU), which includes:
~12.8% income tax
~17.2% social charges
Professional traders/miners: If trading/staking/mining is considered your main activity, profits can be taxed as business income â up to ~45%. ïżœ
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đ¶ Exemptions & Thresholds
âŹ305 annual exemption: If your total capital gains from crypto sales are under âŹ305 per year, theyâre tax-free â but you must still report them. ïżœ
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đ Reporting & Obligations
You must include crypto gains and accounts on your French tax return.
Foreign crypto accounts (e.g., on Binance, Kraken) must be declared using Form 3916-BIS, even if unused â penalties for non-declaration can be significant. ïżœ
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đ 4. Regulation & Oversight
MiCA Regulation: The EUâs Markets in Crypto-Assets law now governs crypto firms, requiring licensing, consumer protection, and reporting standards. ïżœ
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French AMF: Acts as the national regulator and enforces compliance with AML/KYC rules.
France has been vocal about enforcing stringent crypto supervision and may push for centralized EU oversight to strengthen investor protections. ïżœ
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đ§ 5. Tips for Crypto Traders in France
â Use regulated exchanges that comply with AMF/MiCA rules.
â Keep detailed records of all trades â dates, amounts, values in euros, and platforms used.
â Always declare foreign exchange accounts to avoid fines.
â Consider consulting a tax professional for accurate filing â especially if trading frequently or professionally.
đ Summary
Crypto trading is legal in France and covered by EU crypto law (MiCA). ïżœ
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Taxes apply primarily when you convert to fiat or use crypto for purchases; crypto-to-crypto is usually not taxable. ïżœ
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Regulation is strict, with required licenses for platforms and reporting obligations for traders. ïżœ
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If you want, I can also list the top crypto exchanges available in France and compare their fees and features.$BTC
