Benelux

Benelux countries step up fight against crypto fraud

31 Mar. 2026

The fight against tax fraud involving cryptocurrencies is receiving a significant boost. During an expert session, the tax authorities of Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg strengthened their cooperation. The meeting, organised by the Benelux General Secretariat, aims to create a more coordinated approach to tax evasion using crypto‑assets.

Central to the discussions were new European and international rules, such as the DAC8 Directive and the OECD’s CARF framework. These should give tax authorities better insight into crypto transactions and speed up the exchange of information on suspicious structures.

The three countries exchanged their approaches and experiences. The Netherlands presented a broad strategy to integrate crypto‑assets into its national tax system. Belgium highlighted the challenges of international data exchange, while Luxembourg provided an update on the transposition of the new rules into national legislation and IT systems.

The Netherlands also presented a training module for tax officials. It is designed to help them better understand the complex world of crypto and carry out audits more effectively. The training could later be used by Belgium and Luxembourg as well.

Although the implementation of the new rules comes with challenges, the Benelux countries see mainly opportunities. By working more closely together, sharing knowledge and investing in training and technology, they aim to detect tax fraud more quickly and strengthen trust in the crypto sector.

The conclusion is clear: only through cross‑border cooperation can governments keep pace with the rapid evolution of digital financial systems.