Guide to Crypto Taxes in Dubai for 2025

Is cryptocurrency taxed in Dubai?

For individuals, the answer is simple: the Emirate does not levy personal income or capital‑gains tax, so trading, staking, or cashing out crypto remains tax‑free.

Businesses are a different story. Once crypto activity becomes part of a commercial operation (such as exchange services, proprietary trading desks, mining farms, or NFT studios) the company enters the federal tax framework that took effect in June 2023.

How much is cryptocurrency taxed in Dubai?

Private wallets pay 0%. Companies crossing AED 375,000 in annual turnover owe 9% on net profit above that line. VAT is set at 5% and applies when a firm sells goods or services in the UAE, even if payment is made in Bitcoin or stablecoins. Free‑zone entities sometimes enjoy reduced or deferred corporate tax, but each zone’s rules differ.

How different crypto transactions are taxed in Dubai

Here’s a look at how the most common types of crypto transactions are treated for tax purposes in Dubai.

Buying and holding cryptocurrency

Purchases for personal investment draw no tax and no VAT in Dubai.

Selling cryptocurrency

Individual in Dubai: still 0%.

Company: profit feeds into taxable income; 9% applies once the threshold is exceeded.

Mining and staking cryptocurrency

Hobby‑level miners paying taxes in Dubai owe nothing. A commercial farm for mining or staking crypto must treat coin rewards as revenue subject to corporate tax.

Crypto‑to‑crypto trades tax

Swapping tokens is untaxed for individuals in Dubai. Businesses account for the fair‑value gain or loss when calculating profit.

Receiving cryptocurrency as payment

Freelancers remain untaxed personally, but a registered business must book the AED value as revenue and assess VAT where relevant.

Capital gains tax

Dubai imposes none on individuals. Corporate entities roll gains into their ordinary profit-and‑loss statement before the 9% calculation.

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Record‑keeping for crypto transactions in Dubai

Keep exchange CSVs, wallet logs, and fiat‑conversion screenshots. A clear audit trail proves you’re a private investor rather than an undeclared business.

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Filing deadlines for crypto taxes in Dubai

Companies submit corporate tax returns within four months of the fiscal year‑end. VAT returns are monthly or quarterly, determined by revenue size. Individuals have no crypto filing requirement.

What types of records do I need for my crypto taxes?

Transaction hash or exchange ID
Date and time in Dubai (GST)
Coin quantity and AED value
Purpose (investment, business sale, payroll)

How to file crypto taxes in Dubai

Individuals: no forms.

Businesses: register for a Tax Registration Number with the Federal Tax Authority, file the corporate return, and (if required) submit VAT returns through the EmaraTax portal.

See our expert picks of the best crypto loans.

How to calculate your crypto taxes in Dubai?

Add gross crypto revenue, deduct allowable expenses (gear depreciation, electricity, exchange fees), and apply 9% to the profit above AED 375,000. VAT is 5% of the AED value on taxable supplies.

Use our free crypto tax calculator.

How are crypto losses taxed in Dubai?

Personal losses carry no tax value. Corporate entities deduct trading losses from other crypto revenue before applying the 9% rate.

How are crypto airdrops taxed in Dubai?

Individuals incur no tax. Companies treat airdropped tokens used in operations as income at fair market value.

How is DeFi taxed in Dubai?

Yield farming and staking crypto remain tax‑free in Dubai unless conducted by a business. Profits from DeFi for a business join the firm’s taxable income calculation.

Corporate tax for crypto businesses in Dubai

The basic rate is 9%, but firms in qualifying Free Zones may secure partial relief if they transact only with non‑UAE customers and follow substance rules.

Regulatory compliance for crypto in Dubai

VARA licences exchanges and custodians. AML checks and regular reporting apply, and penalties follow for unregistered operations.

Income tax on crypto activities in Dubai

Individuals keep 100% of trading, mining, or staking gains. Corporate structures pay 9% once the profit threshold is crossed, plus 5% VAT on eligible sales.

Crypto as payment for goods and services

A café accepting ETH must record the AED value, charge VAT if applicable, and later include any crypto‑to‑fiat gains in its profit figure.

How to avoid cryptocurrency taxes in Dubai

Private investors already enjoy zero tax. Businesses seeking relief can locate in a Free Zone and limit on‑shore transactions to maintain zero‑rate status, provided they meet economic‑substance and reporting rules.

TGbtc – Crypto News