Spain will enforce the EU’s MiCA and DAC8 crypto rules in 2026, with KuCoin crypto exchange users affected. MiCA requires full authorization for crypto service providers from July 1, 2026. DAC8 mandates transaction reporting to tax authorities starting January 1, 2026. Experts warn that tax debts could lead to asset freezes on global crypto platform exchanges. Self-custody is advised for those seeking to avoid reporting requirements.

According to ChainCatcher, Spain will fully implement two key crypto regulations in 2026: the EU’s Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) regulation and the Directive on Administrative Cooperation (DAC8). MiCA will take full effect on July 1, 2026, requiring all crypto service providers to obtain full authorization to operate. DAC8 will be enforced starting January 1, 2026, mandating exchanges to report users’ transactions, balances, and fund movements to EU tax authorities. Tax experts warn that the Spanish tax authority will have the power to directly freeze or liquidate users’ assets on exchanges to settle tax debts, advising users to consider self-custody solutions, as self-hosted wallets are not subject to these reporting requirements.