Declaring your MetaMask or Ledger wallet: the new 2026 obligation
An amendment adopted in committee in December 2025 introduces a reporting obligation for self-custody wallets exceeding €5,000. What MetaMask, Ledger and other self-custody wallet holders need to know.
Written by Elena Marchetti
Tax specialist in digital assets
Self-custody wallets and tax: a legal gap being closed
Until now, only accounts on foreign exchange platforms (Binance, Coinbase…) had to be declared via form 3916-bis. Wallets where you hold the private keys — MetaMask, Ledger, Trust Wallet, Exodus… — were exempt from any specific reporting obligation. In December 2025, the French National Assembly's Finance Committee adopted an amendment that changes this situation for millions of French taxpayers.
What is a self-custody wallet?
A self-custody wallet is a crypto wallet where only you hold the private key. Unlike accounts on centralised platforms (where the platform holds your funds), a MetaMask wallet or Ledger hardware wallet gives you full control over your digital assets. These wallets do not fall under any service provider within the meaning of the MiCA regulation. It is precisely this reporting gap that the French legislator intends to close.
The €5,000 threshold: who is affected?
The amendment provides that any holder of a self-custody wallet whose total value exceeds €5,000 must declare it annually to the tax authorities. In practice: if your crypto on MetaMask, Ledger or any other non-custodial wallet exceeds €5,000 on 31 December, you are subject to this obligation. Below this threshold, no specific declaration is required for your wallets. Note: this obligation is in addition to the capital gains declaration (form 2086).
Article 1649 AC bis of the CGI: the legal framework
The amendment creates a new Article 1649 AC bis in the French General Tax Code (CGI). It was adopted on 9 December 2025 by the Finance Committee of the National Assembly, as part of Bill No. 2115 on combating social and tax fraud. Important: this is a bill still undergoing final adoption. The precise declaration procedures (form, deadlines) will be set by decree — its publication is expected by end of 2026 or early 2027.
How to declare: expected procedures and forms
The exact procedures remain to be defined by decree. The obligation covers the market value on 31 December each year. This declaration will likely be integrated into the annual income tax return, alongside forms 3916-bis (foreign custodial accounts) and 2086 (capital gains). The obligation is triggered by mere holding: no transaction is required.
Fines and penalties
The specific penalties will be defined by decree, but will likely align with existing penalties for undeclared foreign accounts: €750 per undeclared account, rising to €1,500 if the balance exceeds €50,000. In cases of intentional concealment, the surcharge can reach 80% of evaded taxes.
What to do now if you hold MetaMask or Ledger
Without waiting for the decree, here are the best practices to adopt: (1) Inventory your wallets: list all your self-custody wallets (MetaMask, Ledger, Trust Wallet, Phantom…). (2) Assess their value: record the total value on 31 December. (3) Keep records: maintain a history of your wallets and their value. (4) Use Taxes Crypto: our platform helps you consolidate your assets and prepare your declarations.
Towards complete crypto tax transparency in France
This measure is part of an irreversible trend: tax authorities want full visibility over crypto holdings. Following DAC8 (automatic data sharing by centralised platforms, 2026) and MiCA, extending to self-custody wallets was the next logical step. Taxes Crypto closely monitors these regulatory developments and will update its tools as soon as the decree comes into force.
Official legal sources
This article is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute tax, legal, or financial advice. Consult a qualified professional for your personal situation.
Elena Marchetti
Tax specialist in digital assets
Elena Marchetti is a European tax specialist focused on cryptocurrency taxation. Holding a Master's in Finance and certified as a tax advisor, she has been guiding crypto investors since 2018 through their tax obligations across Europe.
Crypto taxation · European regulation · DAC8 · MiCA
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