CRYPTO22257 | Cryptoassets for individuals: Capital Gains Tax: pooling examples: example 7 - disposal of tokens to acquire different tokens (‘crypto-to-crypto' exchange)

Most types of tokens need to be purchased using another token. This means that a transaction may simultaneously affect two section 104 pools. This example illustrates how a transaction can affect two section 104 pools simultaneously.

Elina holds 100,000 token G in a section 104 pool. She spent a total of £300,000 acquiring them, which is her pooled allowable cost.

Elina enters into the following transactions:

• 31 August 20XX – acquisition of 10,000 token H (with a value of £3,200) for 1,000 token G (with a value of £3,200)

• 31 August 20XX – disposal of 5,000 token H (with a value of £1,700) for 600 token G (with a value of £1,920)

• 31 August 20XX – acquisition of 5,000 token H (with a value of £1,650) for 550 token G (with a value of £1,760)

• 4 September 20XX – disposal of 2,000 token H (with a value of £560) for 180 token G (with a value of £558)

• 16 September 20XX – acquisition of 4,000 token H (with a value of £1,080) for 400 token G (with a value of £1,080)

• 27 October 20XX – disposal of 12,000 token H (with a value of £2,400) for 900 token G (with a value of £2,430)

Elina entered into two acquisitions of token H on 31 August 20XX. These acquisitions are treated as a single acquisition of 15,000 token H on that date. That single acquisition is then matched as far as possible with the disposal of 5,000 token H on the same date. The remaining token H that were acquired go into a section 104 pool of token H.

Elina has also entered into two disposals of token G on 31 August 20XX. These two disposals are treated as a single disposal of 1,550 token G on that date. That single disposal is matched as far as possible with the acquisition of 600 token G on the same date. The disposal is then matched to the acquisition of 180 token G on 4 September 20XX. The remaining part of the disposal comes from the section 104 pool of token G.

Elina’s disposal of 2,000 token H on 4 September 20XX is matched with the acquisition of 4,000 token H on 16 September 20XX as the acquisition takes place within 30 days of the disposal.

Elina’s acquisition of 180 token G on 4 September 20XX goes into the section 104 pool for token G.

Elina’s disposal of 400 token G on 16 September 20XX comes from the section 104 pool of token G.

Elina’s disposal of 12,000 token H on 27 October 20XX comes from the section 104 pool for token H.

Elina’s acquisition of 900 token G on 27 October 20XX goes into the section 104 pool for token G.

Elina will need to work out her gains/losses on the three disposals as follows:

31 August 20XX – disposal of token G

31 August 20XX – disposal of token H

4 September 20XX – disposal of token H

16 September 20XX – disposal of token G

27 October 20XX – disposal of token H

The section 104 pools are as follows:

Section 104 pool for token G

Section 104 pool for token H

This shows that the principles in the previous examples apply in the same way where the transaction involves the disposal of one type of token to acquire a different type of token. The important thing to remember in this situation is that every acquisition will involve a corresponding disposal that needs to be computed.