Spain’s Revamp of Crypto Tax Laws May Spark Market Turmoil, Opponents Caution

The Sumar Parliamentary Group in Spain has put forward extensive changes to the nation's cryptocurrency tax regulations, igniting discussions about how these adjustments might influence both the digital asset market and investor actions. Unveiled in November 2025, the proposals seek to move crypto earnings into higher tax categories and introduce new oversight tools, including a risk "traffic light" indicator for crypto service providers.

, with opponents cautioning about possible legal disputes and increased market volatility.

The initial amendment would see cryptocurrency profits taxed under Spain’s Personal Income Tax (IRPF) at rates as high as 47%, a notable jump from the current 30% rate applied to savings income. The plan also proposes a 30% corporate tax on crypto profits, effectively establishing a two-tier tax approach for both individuals and companies. In addition, the group aims to broaden what counts as seizable assets to include all forms of crypto, going beyond the EU’s Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) regulations. , signaling a push to regulate crypto assets with the same rigor as traditional finance.

A further amendment would require the National Securities Market Commission (CNMV) to introduce a visual "traffic light" risk rating on crypto platforms. This system would categorize digital assets based on criteria such as regulatory compliance, liquidity, and asset backing, offering investors a clear, color-coded risk assessment.

for comparable warnings, highlighting the need for greater transparency in a sector marked by frequent price swings.

Economist José Antonio Bravo Mateu and legal specialist Chris Carrascosa have both expressed reservations about the new measures. Bravo Mateu argued that the changes "are clearly detrimental to

, , and other digital currencies," while Carrascosa described the plan as "impractical," if enacted. Detractors believe the reforms may discourage crypto use, push activities into unregulated spaces, and impose heavy compliance demands on both investors and trading platforms.

Spain’s present crypto tax regime, which treats digital asset gains as savings income taxed up to 30%, has faced criticism for being out of step with current realities. Raising the IRPF rate to 47% would place crypto earnings in the same bracket as top income earners, potentially draining liquidity from the sector. At the same time,

, though its rollout may encounter technical and regulatory obstacles.

These legislative efforts arrive as Spain grapples with wider economic issues, such as job reductions at Telefónica and unstable performance among small-cap stocks. Nonetheless, the crypto-focused amendments have attracted particular attention due to their potential to unsettle a rapidly developing industry.

from industry participants and force a reassessment of Spain’s reputation as a welcoming environment for crypto innovation.