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Tax & HMRC

Crypto record keeping for HMRC — what to track and how

Quick answer: For each transaction record: date, type (buy, sell, swap, gift, income), token name, quantity, sterling value at the time, fees, platform or wallet, and a reference ID. Keep records for at least five years after the 31 January filing deadline. Download our free CSV template to get started.

HMRC expects you to keep accurate records of every crypto transaction — even if your exchange closes or sends a summary later. Good records make Self Assessment faster and reduce the risk of penalties.

Published by Digital Assets Team 2 min read Text version
Not financial advice. This guide is general information only, fact-checked against UK government sources. It is not a personal recommendation. Cryptoassets are high-risk. You may lose all the money you invest.

Why records matter

Your exchange may provide an annual statement, but HMRC holds you responsible for calculating gains and income correctly. If you used multiple platforms, DeFi protocols or self-custody wallets, only you can reconstruct the full picture.

Visual guide

Turn transaction history into evidence

Keep the original files beside your working copy

Turn transaction history into evidence. A text description follows the illustration.

A reproducible record connects the original transaction to the calculation. Keep a dated explanation of adjustments rather than silently changing the raw export.

Read the diagram as text
  1. 01. Collect. Export every exchange and wallet, including older purchases.
  2. 02. Reconcile. Pair transfers and investigate duplicates or missing entries.
  3. 03. Explain. Record prices, classifications and manual adjustments.
  4. 04. Preserve. Keep the calculation, source files and submission evidence.

Source: HMRC cryptoasset record keeping

Minimum fields for each transaction

Date and time (UTC is fine). Transaction type: acquisition, disposal, swap, gift sent, gift received, income (staking, mining, airdrop). Asset name and ticker. Quantity. Sterling value at transaction time. Fees in sterling. Counterparty (exchange name, wallet address, protocol). Notes and transaction hash or reference ID.

Sterling values

Convert each transaction to pounds using the rate on the date of the transaction. HMRC publishes exchange rates for some purposes; many people use the market price from a major exchange at the time of the trade. Be consistent across your records.

The stablecoin GBP example shows why a dollar value alone is not enough for a sterling calculation.

DeFi and self-custody

Export blockchain history regularly. Tools like block explorers and portfolio trackers help, but verify totals manually. Gas fees can sometimes be added to acquisition cost or deducted from proceeds — note them on every row.

Download our free template

We provide a CSV spreadsheet template you can open in Excel, Google Sheets or Numbers. Add one row per transaction. The template includes example rows and column headings aligned with HMRC's record-keeping expectations. Visit /templates/ to download.

Start with the downloadable record templates and keep an untouched copy of every original export.

Make the record useful when something goes wrong

Keep raw exports, a reconciled working copy and a dated log of adjustments. Store evidence that links wallet transfers, explains missing values and records a protocol’s terms. Your records should let another person reproduce the calculation.

Frequently asked questions

How long must I keep crypto tax records? +

At least five years after the 31 January Self Assessment deadline for the relevant tax year, or longer if HMRC opens an enquiry.

What if I lost old exchange records? +

Try to reconstruct from bank statements, emails and blockchain data. HMRC expects reasonable efforts. Undeclared tax can be corrected through a voluntary disclosure.