Market value of new crypto asset at exchange or swap
When you exchange or swap one crypto asset for another crypto asset, you dispose of one CGT asset and acquire another. Therefore, a CGT event happens to your original crypto asset.
Because you receive property instead of money, you need to work out the market value of the crypto asset in Australian dollars.
Example: market value of new asset determines old asset's disposal proceeds
Katrina acquires 100 Coin A for $15,000 on 5 July 2022.
Katrina decides to exchange 20 Coin A for 100 Coin B through a reputable digital asset exchange on 15 November 2022.
Using the exchange rates shown on the digital asset exchange at the time of the transaction, the market value of 100 Coin B was $6,000.
Therefore, Katrina's capital proceeds are $6,000 for the disposal of 20 Coin A. Katrina uses this amount to work out her capital gain for the CGT event.
End of exampleMarket value of existing crypto asset at exchange or swap
If you can't determine the value of a crypto asset you receive in a crypto asset exchange or swap, use the market value of the crypto asset you're disposing of to work out the capital proceeds.
Example: market value of old crypto asset determines its disposal proceeds
Katrina acquires 100 Coin A for $15,000 on 5 July 2022.
Katrina decides to exchange 20 Coin A for a new coin, Coin D, before it is listed on a digital exchange. Katrina acquires 100 Coin D in the exchange on 15 November 2022.
At the time of the transaction, Coin D doesn't have a market value. Katrina uses the market value of Coin A on the digital asset exchange at the time of the transaction.
The market value of 20 Coin A at the time of exchange was $5,000.
Therefore, Katrina's capital proceeds are $5,000 for the disposal of Coin A. Katrina uses this amount to work out her capital gain for the CGT event.
End of example