For over a decade, cryptocurrency has been synonymous with a promise of freedom: access to a decentralised digital realm operating beyond the reach of traditional banks and governments.
That promise is about to be broken.
A global tax crackdown is coming for crypto, and New Zealand is very much part of it. Starting in 2026, the Inland Revenue Department (IRD) will gain unprecedented access to trading histories, whether investors are using local exchanges or offshore platforms.
The Crypto-Asset Reporting Framework (CARF), a new international standard, takes effect from April 1 next year. This will close a major gap in global tax transparency for crypto.
The CARF is the crypto cousin of the OECD’s Common Reporting Standard…
