Spanish authorities have confirmed that in 2026 the country will fully implement two key regulatory frameworks for the crypto market — MiCA and DAC8. The goal of these initiatives is to unify rules for handling crypto assets and enhance tax transparency for both companies and private users. These measures mark a transitional phase for the digital currency sector in Spain and will introduce new obligations for platforms and service providers.
Introduction of MiCA and DAC8 Regulation in Spain
MiCA and DAC8 are being implemented under European-wide legislation aimed at establishing uniform rules and expanded tax oversight. The regulation will affect both companies and individuals through requirements imposed on service providers and data exchange mechanisms between tax authorities. The National Securities Market Commission of Spain acts as the national regulator; its registry already includes over 60 institutions, including banks and crypto exchanges.
MiCA Regulation: Requirements and Deadlines
The MiCA regulation will come into force in Spain on July 1, 2026, mandating licensing for all crypto service providers to continue operations. The Spanish government has granted the maximum transition period allowed under MiCA, extended until July 1, 2026, for organizations previously operating under the old legal framework. During this transition period, these organizations may provide services without a new license, but after it ends, licensing requirements will become mandatory, and non-compliant companies will be forced to cease operations.
DAC8 Directive: Tax Transparency
The DAC8 directive will take effect on January 1, 2026, aiming to strengthen tax transparency through automatic information exchange. Crypto exchanges and service providers are required to automatically transmit user transaction data; reporting will include balances, transfers, sales, and asset exchanges. Reports will cover operations conducted in 2026, with actual data submission to tax authorities beginning in 2027.
Impact on Crypto Exchanges and Users
Centralized exchanges registered in Spain must continue submitting national reports with year-end balance data and user transactions; for foreign platforms within the EU, an automatic information exchange mechanism between tax authorities will apply. The law also permits direct seizure of crypto assets to cover tax debts, which extends to European platforms as well. Transactions conducted through centralized services will be subject to monitoring, whereas autonomous storage in personal wallets is not considered held by a third party and is not directly subject to provider reporting.
Why This Matters
If you use European or Spanish exchanges, the new rules change reporting requirements and the risk of interaction with tax authorities, including the possibility of asset seizure to cover debts. For miners, this means that fund movements through centralized services will become more transparent to tax authorities, even if you are physically located in another country. To compare regulatory approaches across jurisdictions, it is useful to review materials on regulation in Russia to understand local and international risks.
What to Do?
For miners operating 1–1000 devices in Russia, it is important to organize documentation and understand which services you use for exchanging and storing funds. Below are practical steps you can take soon to reduce operational and tax risks.
- Check which platforms you use to store and sell cryptocurrency; prioritize services with transparent jurisdiction and reporting.
- Keep records of incoming and outgoing transfers, save statements and operation logs for potential reporting.
- Consider using personal (non-custodial) wallets for long-term storage if you want to avoid reporting from centralized platforms.
- If needed, consult a tax specialist or lawyer familiar with cross-border data exchange and asset seizure possibilities.
- Stay updated on regulatory changes and local practices — for example, materials on mining legalization in Russia can help assess local requirements.