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Bitcoin and crypto in Ireland

Bitcoin and Crypto in Ireland: Plain, Dated Guides

Plain guides to bitcoin in Ireland: crypto tax and Revenue deadlines, MiCA-authorised exchanges, legal status, wallets and scams, with dated sources.

Facts checked

Quick answer

  • Bitcoin is legal in Ireland but isn't legal tender. MiCA regulates the firms that provide crypto services, not bitcoin itself.
  • Revenue applies 31% CGT to most gains on disposals on or after 7 October 2026, after a €1,270 annual exemption.
  • Crypto is high risk, has no compensation scheme cover and is a common target for scams. Check any provider on the official registers.

Bitcoin.ie is a plain-English guide to bitcoin and other crypto for people in Ireland. We cover the questions that come up most: how crypto is taxed, how to declare it to Revenue, which providers are authorised to serve Irish customers, what the EU's MiCA rules mean for you, and how to keep your crypto and your money safe from scams.

Everything here comes from official sources such as Revenue, the Central Bank of Ireland, the CCPC and EU regulators, plus providers' own pages where we describe a provider. Each guide lists its sources and the date we checked them. We checked every fact on this site on 30 October 2026.

Risk warning: Crypto-assets such as bitcoin are high risk and speculative. Their value can go down as well as up, sometimes sharply, and you could lose all the money you put in. Past performance doesn't necessarily give a guide to the future. Some crypto products and services are unregulated, and even under MiCA crypto is not covered by the Deposit Guarantee Scheme or the Investor Compensation Scheme. Crypto isn't suitable for everyone, so only use money you can afford to lose.
About this page: Bitcoin.ie is a general information site. We don't sell crypto, hold money for anyone or give personal financial or tax advice, and nothing here is a recommendation to buy. There are no affiliate links on this site today. We may earn a commission from links to some providers in future; if we do, those links will be labelled and explained in our affiliate disclosure, and it won't change what we write.
Tax note: This is general information based on Revenue guidance and the Finance (No. 2) Bill 2026 as published, checked on 30 October 2026. It isn't tax advice. Your position depends on your circumstances, so speak to a tax adviser or Revenue before you file.

Tax

Crypto is taxed under Ireland's ordinary rules, which for most people means Capital Gains Tax (CGT). These guides cover the rate, the deadlines and the forms.

Buying and exchanges

Regulation

Safety

See all guides on the guides page.

Key facts at a glance

These were checked on 30 October 2026. The guides explain each one and link to the source.

TopicWhat the official source says
Legal statusBitcoin is legal to buy, hold and sell in Ireland. It isn't legal tender and businesses don't have to accept it.
CGT rateRevenue applies 31% to most gains on disposals on or after 7 October 2026, and 33% to disposals from 6 December 2012 to 6 October 2026.
Annual exemptionThe first €1,270 of chargeable gains per person each year is exempt.
Paying CGTDisposals from 1 January to 30 November: pay by 15 December. December disposals: pay by 31 January of the following year.
FilingReport gains on a return by 31 October of the year after the disposal, even if no tax is due.
MiCASince 1 July 2026, every crypto service provider serving EU customers needs MiCA authorisation.
CompensationCrypto isn't covered by the Deposit Guarantee Scheme or the Investor Compensation Scheme.
DAC8Providers have collected user and transaction data since 1 January 2026. The first reports go to Revenue by 31 May 2027.

The 31% rate took effect through a Budget 2027 financial resolution passed by the Dáil on 6 October 2026. It's in the Finance (No. 2) Bill 2026, which hadn't been signed into law when we checked. We'll update the tax guides when it is.

How we write these guides

We stick to what Revenue, the regulators and the law actually say, and we give the date we checked. Where an official source doesn't answer a question, such as how staking rewards are taxed, we say so rather than guess.

We don't rank providers or tell you what to buy. Where we name a provider, it's because we could match it to the official MiCA registers, and we explain the criteria we used. We don't predict prices or talk about returns. Crypto prices can rise or fall sharply, and nobody can tell you which way they'll go.

We're not tax advisers or financial advisers. For decisions about your own money or your own tax return, speak to a qualified adviser or contact Revenue.

Frequently asked questions

Is bitcoin legal in Ireland?

Yes. You can buy, hold and sell bitcoin in Ireland. It isn't legal tender, so nobody has to accept it as payment, and the Central Bank says crypto is not a regulated financial product.

Do I pay tax on crypto in Ireland?

Usually, yes, when you sell, swap or spend it. Revenue applies 31% to most gains on disposals on or after 7 October 2026, after a €1,270 annual exemption. You may still need to file a return even if no tax is due.

How do I know if a crypto exchange is authorised?

Search for the firm on the ESMA interim MiCA register and check that Ireland is among the countries it serves. Firms authorised in Ireland also appear on the Central Bank of Ireland's register.

Is my crypto protected if a provider fails?

MiCA requires authorised providers to keep client crypto separate from their own, so their creditors have no claim on it. But there's no Deposit Guarantee Scheme or Investor Compensation Scheme cover, and nothing protects you from price falls.

Does Bitcoin.ie sell crypto or give advice?

No. We're a general information site. We don't sell crypto, hold money or give personal financial or tax advice.

Crypto-asset service providers are authorised under MiCA by the Central Bank of Ireland or another EU regulator. Bitcoin.ie provides no crypto service so it is not authorised by the Central Bank of Ireland. We do not sell, hold, exchange or arrange crypto and give no financial or tax advice.