Cryptocurrency regulation in Cambodia has changed significantly in recent years. For tax purposes, cryptocurrencies are generally treated as intangible assets by the Cambodian tax authority.
While Cambodia has not issued a dedicated crypto tax law, taxation is derived from broader tax legislation and guidance from the General Department of Taxation. As a result, crypto transactions may fall under capital gains tax or ordinary income tax depending on the nature of the activity.
The regulatory framework also evolved in late 2024 when the National Bank of Cambodia introduced a formal regulatory structure for crypto related services through Prakas No. B7-024-735 on Transactions Related to Cryptoassets issued on December 26, 2024. This marked a major shift from the earlier 2018 joint statement that discouraged or prohibited unlicensed crypto activities.
Under the Cambodian tax framework, gains from selling or transferring cryptocurrencies are likely subject to capital gains tax under Prakas No. 1130 MEF on capital gains. Income derived from crypto activities such as mining or operating a crypto-related business is taxed as ordinary income under general income tax rules, including Prakas No. 578 MEF.Prk.GDT on Income Tax.
Capital Gains Tax Rules
Cambodia applies capital gains tax to the disposal of investment assets under Prakas No. 1130 MEF on Capital Gains, which became effective for most asset categories on January 1, 2025. Because the tax authority classifies cryptocurrencies as intangible assets, gains from selling or transferring crypto are generally expected to fall within the scope of these rules.
A taxable event occurs when a cryptocurrency is disposed of. Disposal typically includes selling crypto for fiat currency, exchanging one cryptocurrency for another, or transferring ownership for value. In these cases, the realized gain may be subject to Cambodia’s capital gains tax regime.
How capital gains are calculated
Capital gains tax is calculated as the difference between the selling price and the acquisition cost of the crypto asset. The acquisition cost generally includes the original purchase price and any directly attributable costs associated with acquiring the asset. The resulting gain is taxed at a flat rate of 20%.
If a taxpayer sells crypto at a loss, that loss may potentially be offset against other capital gains depending on how the tax authority interprets intangible assets under the capital gains regime. As of 2025, Cambodia has not released detailed crypto-specific rules on loss treatment, so taxpayers rely on the general capital gains framework.
Record keeping
Taxpayers should maintain detailed records of all crypto transactions, including purchase price, sale price, transaction dates, wallet addresses, and exchange records. Because gains must be reported within three months of realization, accurate transaction histories and valuation records are essential.
Income Tax Rules
Crypto transactions may be taxed as ordinary income when the activity constitutes a business or revenue-generating activity. This treatment follows general Cambodian income tax principles under Prakas No. 578 MEF.Prk.GDT on Income Tax.
For example, businesses that accept cryptocurrency as payment for goods or services must recognize the value of the crypto received as taxable income. The value is typically determined based on the fair market value of the cryptocurrency at the time of receipt, converted into Cambodian Riel or another approved fiat currency.
Legal entities conducting crypto-related activities such as exchange services, brokerage, or trading as part of their business operations are subject to Cambodia’s standard corporate income tax rate of 20%. Individuals employed by crypto businesses are taxed under the salary tax system applicable to employment income.
Mining and Staking Treatment
Mining
Cryptocurrency mining income is generally treated as taxable income when the coins are received. If mining is carried out by a registered business entity, the income forms part of the company’s taxable profits and is subject to the corporate income tax rate of 20%.
If individuals conduct mining activities independently and generate consistent income, the tax authority may treat the activity as a commercial operation rather than a hobby. In this case, mining rewards would likely be taxed as ordinary income based on their fair market value at the time the coins are received.
When mined coins are later sold or transferred, a separate capital gains calculation may apply. The cost basis is typically the value recognized as income when the coins were originally received.
Staking
Cambodia has not yet issued explicit tax guidance for staking rewards. However, by analogy with other crypto revenue-generating activities, staking rewards are likely treated as taxable income when received.
The fair market value of the tokens at the time of receipt would generally form the taxable income amount. If the tokens are later sold or exchanged, the difference between the disposal value and the original recorded value may be treated as a capital gain or loss under the capital gains tax rules.
NFT Taxation
Non-fungible tokens are not specifically addressed in Cambodian tax legislation. However, because NFTs are blockchain-based digital assets, they are generally expected to fall within the same intangible asset classification applied to cryptocurrencies.
For investors who buy and sell NFTs, profits from disposing of NFTs may be subject to the 20% capital gains tax under Prakas No. 1130 MEF on Capital Gains. The taxable gain would be calculated as the difference between the sale price and the acquisition cost.
Individuals or businesses that create and sell NFTs commercially may instead be taxed under ordinary income rules. In that case, the sale proceeds would be treated as business income and taxed according to the applicable corporate or personal income tax rules. As of 2025, Cambodia has not issued specific guidance on VAT treatment for NFT transactions.
Reporting Requirements
Taxpayers must report capital gains under the Cambodian capital gains tax framework administered by the General Department of Taxation. Under Prakas No. 1130 MEF on Capital Gains, taxpayers generally have three months from the date of realizing a gain to submit the required tax declaration and pay the tax due.
Crypto-related income from business activities must be reported through standard income tax filings. Corporate entities include the income in their annual corporate income tax returns, while employees of crypto-related companies report salary income under the salary tax regime.
All tax liabilities must be calculated and paid in Cambodian Riel or another approved fiat currency. Taxpayers, therefore, need to convert the value of crypto transactions into local currency at the time of the transaction using a reliable exchange rate source.
Accurate record keeping is essential. Taxpayers should retain transaction histories, wallet records, exchange statements, valuation calculations, and any documentation showing acquisition costs and disposal values.
Cambodia has not yet announced specific crypto data-matching programs, but increased regulation of crypto-asset service providers may improve reporting and compliance monitoring.
Penalties
Failure to report taxable crypto income or capital gains can result in penalties under Cambodia’s general tax enforcement rules administered by the General Department of Taxation. Penalties typically apply where taxpayers underreport income, fail to file required declarations, or provide inaccurate information.
The level of penalty may depend on whether the error is considered negligence, serious negligence, or intentional tax evasion. In addition to financial penalties, interest is generally charged on unpaid tax from the date the liability was originally due until it is settled.
Taxpayers who identify mistakes in previous filings are typically encouraged to correct them voluntarily. Voluntary disclosure can reduce potential penalties compared with cases discovered during tax audits or enforcement actions.
