Switzerland Extends Deadlines for Compliance with CARF Regulations: Crypto Fund Capital Faces Increased Tax Scrutiny

The Swiss capital and its federal authorities have confirmed a significant shift in the implementation timeline of the (Crypto Asset Reporting Framework), according to information from Cointelegraph. Although the legal approval of these regulations is scheduled for January 1, 2026, the actual start of operations will be pushed back to 2027, creating new uncertainties in the sector.

The Reasons Behind the Delay

The Swiss government justifies the extension of the deadline because its tax committee has halted negotiations on which will be its international partners for information exchange. This change in schedule provides a temporary respite for domestic cryptocurrency companies, although regulatory pressure continues to intensify globally.

CARF: A Global Initiative

The Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) launched the CARF in 2022 as a mechanism to combat international tax evasion through automatic exchange of crypto account data between governments. So far, 75 nations have made formal commitments to adopt it within the next two to four years, positioning Switzerland among the pioneers in this regulation.

Legislative Amendments and Transitional Provisions

Swiss authorities have complemented their announcement with several reforms to local legislation on digital asset tax reporting. These measures include transitional provisions specifically designed to help domestic crypto operators gradually adapt to the CARF requirements, thus avoiding abrupt compliance shocks.

The Global Compliance Gap

While Switzerland positions itself as a progressive regulator, not all countries share this approach. Nations such as Argentina, El Salvador, Vietnam, and India have yet to sign the OECD framework, reflecting diverse resistances to global tax harmonization. Meanwhile, Brazil is considering taxing international crypto transfers as a complementary strategy to align with CARF standards.

Reinforced U.S. Scrutiny

The White House has recently reviewed the proposal from the Internal Revenue Service to adhere to the CARF, seeking to implement stricter controls over capital gains declarations for U.S. citizens operating on foreign crypto platforms. This move underscores the global trend toward greater fiscal transparency in the digital sector.

The extension announced by Switzerland until 2027 suggests that, although Swiss capital is advancing in crypto regulation, practical implementation will face complex challenges in international coordination and operational adaptation.