How staking, airdrops and crypto interest are taxed

Rewards from staking, lending, cashback and airdrops feel free. For tax they usually create two events: receiving them, and selling them later.

The value on the day you receive it

Each reward is recorded at its market value when received. That value also becomes its cost basis when you later sell or swap the coin.

Example

Sarah receives 365 daily rewards worth €800 in total over a year. Later she sells those coins for €1,000. There is €800 of reward value, plus a further €200 gain on the sale.

Denmark

Rewards are personal income at their DKK value when received (Rubrik 20). If the price falls afterwards, the income is still taxed, and the loss on sale goes in Rubrik 58 at a lower deduction value.

Greece

Treatment of rewards is not fully settled and depends on their nature, such as lending interest versus staking. Gains on sale are taxed at 15% on Form E1. Keep complete records and confirm classification with an accountant.

Why spreadsheets fail

Daily rewards mean hundreds of entries a year, each with its own historical price. A tool that prices every receipt automatically and keeps it as its own FIFO lot saves days.