Crypto Investor Action Plan

Yes. Every crypto-to-crypto swap (e.g. ETH → BTC) is a disposal of the first token AND an acquisition of the second, BOTH at AUD-FMV at the time. There is NO like-kind exemption (unlike pre-2018 US rules). Many Australian crypto traders miss this and end up with large unreported gains. Use the crypto tax calculator to model swaps.

Staking rewards are ordinary income at receipt — you include the AUD market value at the day you received them in your assessable income. THEN, when you later sell those tokens, a SEPARATE CGT event fires using the FMV-at-receipt as the cost base. So you get two events: ordinary income at receipt + capital gain/loss at disposal.

Australian individuals get a 50% discount on capital gains from CGT assets held for at least 12 months and disposed of before 1 July 2027. Crypto qualifies as a CGT asset. Hold each parcel ≥ 12mo from acquisition (airdrops + staking rewards each have their own clock from receipt date). The 50% discount halves your taxable gain. From 1 July 2027 it is abolished for individuals: the cost base is indexed for inflation instead and the real gain carries a 30% minimum tax rate, whatever the holding period. Use the crypto tax calculator to model holding scenarios.

Per the ATO's 2026 web guidance, a 1:1 wrap (BTC → WBTC, ETH → WETH at fixed parity) is NOT a disposal — beneficial ownership is unchanged, the cost base + holding period carry over to the wrapped token. Adjustable-rate wraps (e.g. ETH → stETH, where the rate compounds) ARE disposals. Distinguish carefully.

If you can prove the loss is permanent (lost seed phrase, hard drive failure with no backups, or theft with police report), you may claim a capital loss in the FY of the loss event. ATO requires "objective evidence" — wallet address + balance pre-loss + date + impossibility of recovery. The capital loss can offset capital gains in the same FY (or carry forward indefinitely).

NFTs are typically CGT assets. A capital gain on disposal is taxable, with the 50% discount available if held ≥ 12mo and disposed of before 1 July 2027, after which indexation plus a 30% minimum rate applies instead. NFTs acquired for ≤ $10,000 for personal use (e.g. profile picture art) MAY qualify as personal-use assets — gains exempt under s 118-10. ATO has signalled scepticism of "personal use" claims for high-priced collectibles, so document the use-purpose at acquisition.