Colombia and France are strengthening oversight of the cryptocurrency industry, heralding a new era of global tax enforcement. Cryptocurrency exchanges, intermediaries, and even self-custody wallets are now facing unprecedented scrutiny.
These measures reflect the evolving dynamics of governments seeking to track cryptocurrency holdings, prevent tax evasion, and align domestic regulations with international transparency standards.
Colombian government mandates reporting of user information to cryptocurrency exchanges
In Colombia, the Tax and Customs Authority (DIAN) has introduced reporting obligations for cryptocurrency service providers, based on Resolution No. 000240 (effective December 24, 2025).
Exchanges, intermediaries, and other platforms dealing with various digital assets such as Bitcoin, Ethereum, and stablecoins are required to collect and submit detailed information about users and their transactions.
The following data are subject to reporting:
Account holding status
Transaction amount
Number of units moved
Market capitalization
Net balance
This resolution took immediate effect, but the reporting obligation will apply to the fiscal year 2026 onward. The first comprehensive report must be submitted by the last business day of May 2027.
In Colombia, a system already existed allowing individuals to declare their cryptocurrency holdings and gains in tax filings. However, DIAN had not previously received reports from third parties.
With these new measures, authorities will be able to cross-check and verify user-reported data, enabling more comprehensive integration of cryptocurrency into tax systems.
Penalties for non-compliance or false reporting may include fines of up to 1% of the unreported transaction amount.
Colombia is one of the most active cryptocurrency markets in Latin America. According to Chainalysis's October 2025 report, the country's cryptocurrency transaction volume reached $44.2 billion between July 2024 and June 2025.
This is the fifth largest market in the region and ranks second in terms of growth rate of received cryptocurrency value, behind Brazil.
In France, across the Atlantic, efforts to extend reporting obligations to self-custody wallets are underway. Under a revised bill adopted by the National Assembly Committee in December 2025, account holders using wallets such as Ledger, MetaMask, Rabby, and Deblock who hold over €5,000 (US$5,800) will be required to report.
This measure has received bipartisan support and aligns with recommendations from the government agency 'Committee for the Enforcement of Tax Collection (CPO)'. It expands oversight from exchanges to non-custodial cryptocurrency markets.
The push by French lawmakers to strengthen oversight stems from the turmoil of 2025, when the risk of tax monitoring was once again highlighted. In May 2025, a database containing over 2 million taxpayer records—including those of cryptocurrency holders—was discovered for sale on the dark web. Earlier that year, violent kidnapping incidents targeting cryptocurrency investors also occurred.
At the same time, a tax official in Bobigny was prosecuted for allegedly using confidential taxpayer data to support organized crime networks, including cryptocurrency holding information. These incidents have renewed awareness of the vulnerabilities of digital asset holders and the need for stronger regulation.
The actions taken by Colombia and France indicate a global trend toward establishing third-party reporting systems for cryptocurrency, going beyond voluntary declarations. Exchanges, intermediaries, and individual holders alike are becoming subject to digital audit trails, with the goal of preventing tax evasion and ensuring fair taxation.
This aligns with recent major regulatory tightening introduced in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in recent years. According to BeInCrypto reporting, the UAE's new law criminalizes the use of unauthorized cryptocurrency tools, including self-custody wallets.
Taken together, these developments suggest that the era of de facto 'semi-anonymity' is coming to an end. Authorities worldwide are strengthening their ability to track wallet holdings and transaction activities, making it increasingly difficult for wallets to go unnoticed.
In these countries, cryptocurrencies are now fully under the scrutiny of tax authorities, and failure to comply carries significant financial and legal risks.
Led by Colombia and France, investors and platforms around the world may need to prepare for a more transparent and strictly monitored cryptocurrency market.
