How crypto tax works in Uruguay
Uruguay treats crypto disposals as capital assets at 12% IRPF for investors, with business traders entering 25% IRAE on facts-based character tests.
BCU licenses VASPs under Law 20.345 with AML and reporting duties, while salary tokens arrive as progressive earned income.
Staking, DeFi, airdrops, and NFTs lack specific guidance and need conservative general-framework treatment with five-year records.
Tax rates at a glance
- Crypto gains tax
- 12%
- Business income
- 25%
- Salary tokens
- Progressive
- Staking specifics
- Unguided
- Licensing regime
- Law 20.345
- Record horizon
- 5 years
Who benefits most
These profiles tend to benefit most when the rules match their real residence, payroll and business setup.
Long-term holdersActive tradersFreelancers paid in cryptoExpatsFounders
Watch out for
- Investor-versus-business character decides 12% against 25%, so frequency and organisation facts matter more than asset labels.
- Unguided staking, DeFi, and NFT mechanics need conservative treatment with local advice, not assumed shelter.
- PSAV licensing details live in draft BCU regulation, so operating requirements need current-rule confirmation.
- Wealth-tax (IP) interactions can layer asset taxation beside gains where thresholds trip.
Frequently asked questions
How is crypto taxed in Uruguay?
Investor disposals face 12% IRPF capital treatment, while business trading enters 25% IRAE. Salary tokens arrive as progressive earned income.
Do crypto businesses need licences in Uruguay?
Yes. VASPs license under BCU oversight per Law 20.345, with operating details in draft regulation needing current confirmation.
How are staking rewards treated?
No specific guidance exists: conservative general-framework treatment as income on receipt with later disposal math, confirmed with local advice.