True name strikes back on bitcoin
The era of perceived tax anonymity for Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies has effectively ended with the full activation of the Crypto-Asset Reporting Framework (CARF) on January 1, 2026. This global "strike back" by tax authorities utilizes a triad of reporting regimes—FATCA, CRS, and now CARF—to link "true names" (verified legal identities) to on-chain transaction data.
While previously crypto largely escaped traditional bank-centric reporting, these frameworks now overlap to ensure near-total visibility for tax authorities:
- CARF (Crypto-Asset Reporting Framework): Specifically designed for digital assets, it requires Crypto-Asset Service Providers (CASPs) to collect and report detailed user identity and transaction data. As of January 2026, 48 countries have officially activated this regime, with first data exchanges scheduled for 2027.
- CRS 2.0 (Common Reporting Standard): An updated version of the OECD's global banking standard that now includes indirect crypto exposure, such as derivatives and certain e-money products, to prevent overlap and close loopholes.
- FATCA (Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act): The U.S.-led framework requiring foreign financial institutions to report on U.S. persons. While the U.S. does not participate in CRS, it is expected to implement CARF-aligned rules to ensure it receives data on Americans using foreign exchanges.
- 违法的币，政府可以网上收了
