February brought a wave of tax initiatives in the cryptocurrency sector — and it deserves attention. While Bitcoin fluctuated below $70 000, governments around the world were actively rewriting their approaches to taxing digital assets. Here's what is really happening.

The Netherlands made the most high-profile move — on February 12, the parliament advanced a law on taxing unrealized gains at a rate of 36%. It sounds crazy, but the essence is that the tax applies to savings, liquid investments, and cryptocurrencies — even if you haven't sold anything. The cabinet has already hinted that it may reconsider this measure, but the idea has already caused panic: people fear capital outflows and the collapse of innovation. This shows how quickly policy can turn toward stricter control over crypto assets.

In Israel, the situation is more interesting. The local crypto forum launched a lobbying campaign for softer rules — they advocate for simplified compliance and a favorable regime for stablecoins and tokenization. The forum head noted that more than a quarter of Israel's population has already participated in cryptocurrency transactions over the past five years. This is a serious figure, and it gives political weight to their reform demands.

Hong Kong chose the path of standardization: it announced the implementation of the OECD (Crypto Asset Reporting Framework). This means that cryptocurrency activity will be integrated into a unified reporting system to combat tax evasion. A logical step, although it may complicate life for crypto service providers in the region.

Vietnam proposed a targeted tax — 0.1% personal income tax on transfers through licensed providers. Meanwhile, regular VAT on crypto trading is excluded. This is a more flexible approach than in other countries, but still adds a new level of regulation.

India remains the strictest: a 30% tax on crypto profits without the possibility of loss compensation. The 2026 federal budget did not bring any reforms, despite market calls. This creates tension between the government’s desire to collect revenue and the desire to develop the crypto ecosystem.

Why is this important? Because Bitcoin taxes are becoming a global issue, not just a local one. When major jurisdictions simultaneously rewrite rules, it influences the behavior of investors, traders, and developers. People start considering tax obligations when choosing where to store assets and where to trade.

Against the backdrop of these political shifts, Bitcoin's price remained under pressure. The US stalled the CLARITY bill — the long-awaited regulatory framework for crypto markets. Add tariff wars and macroeconomic uncertainty — and it’s clear why traders are cautious. Bitcoin taxes, regulatory clarity, macroeconomics — all of this is intertwined.

Meanwhile, the number of crypto ATMs worldwide approached 40,000 (with about 290 devices added in February). This shows that despite regulatory hurdles, infrastructure is growing. People are finding ways to interact with crypto assets.

What’s next? Watch the parliamentary debates in the Netherlands, the specific proposals in Israel, the schedule for implementing the CARF in Hong Kong, how Vietnam applies its 0.1% tax, and the budget updates in India. Each of these steps could change the calculations for investors. Bitcoin taxes are no longer a peripheral issue; they are at the center of global policy regarding cryptocurrencies. And while Bitcoin fights price pressure, governments are fighting over how to tax it.