The UK tax authority began 2026 by implementing the CARF regulations, which require crypto users to provide account details and will enhance tax collection, with penalties for non-compliance.
Meanwhile, crypto adoption in Latin America is rising, proving particularly popular among Argentina’s 60-plus age group, while El Salvador enhanced its Bitcoin travel status.
Finally, the FBI reported that Americans lost $333M to Bitcoin ATM scams in 2025 and warned that the elderly are particularly vulnerable to this type of fraud.
UK crypto users to share account information with HMRC under new CARF Rules
Effective from January 1, 2026, the UK tax authority, His Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC), will automatically collect crypto exchange information from all users as part of the international Crypto Asset Reporting Framework (CARF) regulations. This move is among the many jurisdictions implementing the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) global standard for crypto tax reporting.
To ensure capital gains taxis paid on crypto transactions, clients who fail to share their account details will face stiff penalties. Equally, crypto exchanges must share accurate records of all users’ earnings, enabling tax authorities to verify all payments. Through these measures, HMRC expects to generate approximately £300M over the next five years.
HMRC has long acknowledged high levels of non-compliance among crypto investors, and the new regulations will make it harder to hide untaxed gains, while consultations on combating insider trading are ongoing.
HMRC has further created a section in the self-assessment form enabling those who made crypto gains in the 2024/5 tax year to file accurate tax returns by the end of January 2026. They will also have an opportunity to make voluntary disclosures of undeclared gains prior to April 2024.
Meanwhile, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) is holding public consultations until February 12, 2026, on proposed new rules for exchanges, brokers, and the buying and selling of crypto.
Why this matters:
The UK’s implementation of the OECD’s CARF regulations shifts the burden of proof to both exchanges and investors, as they must now demonstrate comprehensive reporting rather than merely answer investigative queries. Compliance teams and tax professionals will need to closely monitor and strategically respond to how the CARF regulations impact their businesses and inform their tax obligations.
Read more on the BBC, and learn more about the evolution of the UK’s crypto regime here.
Bitcoin adoption rises in El Salvador and Argentina
El Salvador is boosting Bitcoin adoption through Airbtc, a Bitcoin-only travel accommodation platform. This platform is available at properties across multiple tourist destinations, offering lower fees to hosts and predictable prices for tourists through fixed BTC transfers.
Additional security for both parties is generated by the funds being held in cold storage until each stay ends. El Salvador now accounts for a significant share of Airbtc’s total listings supported by the country’s favorable Bitcoin legislation.
Meanwhile, Argentina is experiencing a remarkable surge in digital wallet usage, with seniors over 60 adopting mobile payment technology at a faster rate than all other age groups. The 60-plus demographic is increasingly earning returns by moving funds within wallet services, generating interest throughout the segment,and demonstrating openness to new financial technologies.
At the end of 2025, Bitget Wallet in LATAM closed higher across on-chain payments, trading, and yield products, as usage expanded into regular financial tasks. Monthly swap volumes rose sharply, and stablecoin remained strong despite slower market conditions.
Why this matters
For regulators and crypto businesses, El Salvador’s Bitcoin-as-legal-tender status is creating a circular economy that could serve as a template for other jurisdictions considering crypto integration. Simultaneously, Argentina’s demographic shift in crypto usage towards older individuals and increased adoption throughout Latin America create new compliance considerations for financial institutions serving these markets.
Read more on Coincentral.
FBI reports $333M lost to Bitcoin ATM scams in 2025
The FBI reported that fraudsters stole over $333M from Americans using Bitcoin ATM scams in 2025, a sharp rise from approximately $250M in 2024 and double the 2023 figure. The agency expressed particular concern about the rising trend of targeting elderly Americans.
Common schemes involved impersonating government officials or other figures of authority, who pressured victims into making cash payments at Bitcoin ATMs.With over 45,000 Bitcoin ATMs nationwide and counting, users can insert cash and send it to digital wallets worldwide within minutes, with transactions being nearly impossible to reverse once executed.
At least 17 states have passed laws regulating Bitcoin ATMs in the last several years, while some municipalities have sought heightened restrictions or outright bans on them.
The FBI reiterated that government agencies do not accept remittances via Bitcoin ATMs, and parties claiming to represent them who demand urgent payments at Bitcoin ATMs should be treated as potential fraudsters.
Why this matters
For law enforcement, this trend requires adapting fraud prevention strategies to reach older populations who may not recognize crypto-specific warning signs. Compliance teams at financial institutions should reassess protocols for detecting elder financial abuse patterns involving crypto. Regulators can consider mandatory transaction limits, enhanced KYC requirements at Bitcoin ATMs, and real-time fraud intervention protocols to reduce these losses.
Read more on Yahoo.com, and learn more about developing crypto crime trends in the US here.
