Altcoin tax in Australia: every swap is a taxable event
Alternative cryptocurrencies — from ETH and ADA to smaller DeFi tokens — are all CGT assets under Australian tax law. Swapping between altcoins generates a disposal event each time, which can compound across an active portfolio quickly.
All altcoins are CGT assets
The ATO does not carve out any category of cryptocurrency from CGT. Whether you hold Ethereum, Cardano, Polkadot, or a newly launched token, each is a CGT asset and every disposal is a taxable event assessed in AUD.
Swapping between altcoins is a disposal
Trading ETH for ADA, or any altcoin-to-altcoin swap, is treated as two events: a disposal of the first asset and an acquisition of the second. A capital gain or loss arises on the coin you gave up, based on its AUD market value at the time of the swap.
Frequent trading may push into business income
If you trade altcoins at high frequency with a commercial intent, the ATO may treat your profits as business income rather than capital gains. Business income is taxed at your marginal rate and the 50% CGT discount does not apply. The test depends on scale, repetition, and intent — not on a fixed number of trades.
What this estimator covers
This estimator applies FIFO parcel matching to standard buy, sell, and swap activity and applies the 12-month CGT discount where eligible. It does not cover liquidity pool positions, yield farming rewards, or governance token distributions. Check the coverage page for the full list.
Quick single-transaction estimate
Enter a single buy-and-sell scenario to see your estimated CGT impact.
Frequently asked questions
Are altcoins taxable in Australia?
Yes. The ATO treats all altcoins as CGT assets. Selling an altcoin for AUD or disposing of it in any way — including swapping it for another coin — creates a capital gains tax event assessed in Australian dollars.
Is swapping one altcoin for another a taxable event?
Yes. Swapping one altcoin for another is treated as a disposal of the first coin and an acquisition of the second. A capital gain or loss arises on the disposed coin based on its AUD market value at the time of the swap.
Related guides
Tax Accuracy & Sources
General information about crypto tax in Australia for individual investors. Not tax advice.