A guide for complete beginners, written for people who want to understand what they are doing before they do it. 46 short chapters, 34 diagrams, and one thread all the way through: know what you actually own, how to keep it safe, and how to report it correctly to the ATO.
Who is it for?
- You have never bought any crypto and want to start without getting caught out on your first move.
- You already have a few dollars in an app and are not sure where your crypto actually lives.
- You sell or trade once in a while and myTax gives you a headache before you even open it.
If you are looking for trading strategies or a list of cryptos to buy, this book is not for you: it gives none.
What you will be able to do
01
Understand
Blockchain, Bitcoin, Ethereum, stablecoins: the ideas, without the jargon.
02
Buy
Choose a properly registered platform, make a first purchase, set up dollar-cost averaging.
03
Secure
Address, private key, seed phrase: what you actually own, and how to keep it.
04
Protect yourself
The playbook behind almost every scam, and the exact steps if the worst happens.
05
Sell
Sell, cash out to dollars, and understand the fees that quietly add up.
06
Report
Capital gains, the 12-month CGT discount and myTax explained with a worked example.
Included with the book
The tracking spreadsheet
Every reader gets a tracking spreadsheet: one row per transaction, to log what you bought, sold or traded and keep the record you will need for your tax return. The access code is printed in the book.
Go to the bonus pageFrequently asked questions
Is trading one crypto for another taxable in Australia?
Yes. Exchanging one crypto for another, even into a stablecoin, is a CGT event: the ATO treats it as a disposal, valued in Australian dollars at the time of the swap. Unlike some other countries, there is no rollover for crypto-to-crypto trades.
What is the tax rate on crypto capital gains in Australia?
There is no flat crypto tax rate. Your net capital gain is added to your ordinary income and taxed at your marginal rate (0% to 45%, plus the Medicare levy). If you held the asset for at least 12 months, you can reduce the gain by 50% before it is added to your income.
Is there a tax-free threshold, like in some other countries?
Not really. Australia has no small annual sales threshold. There is a narrow 'personal use asset' exemption for crypto bought for under $10,000 and spent quickly on a personal purchase, but it almost never applies to anyone buying crypto as an investment.
Do I need to report anything if I have not sold?
No capital gain is taxable without a CGT event such as a sale, a trade or a gift. Simply holding crypto, or moving it to a wallet you control, triggers nothing. When you do have a gain or loss, it goes into the 'Capital gains or losses' section of myTax.
How do I check that a crypto platform is properly registered in Australia?
Cross-check it on AUSTRAC's public Digital Currency Exchange register. Being registered only covers anti-money-laundering obligations, not a guarantee on your money, but its absence is a red flag.
Where should I store my seed phrase?
Offline, never as a photo, never in the cloud, never shared with anyone. Paper is enough to learn with small amounts; beyond that, a metal plate survives fire and water.
The author
Léo Maraval explains crypto the way someone should have explained it to you on day one: clearly, calmly, with nothing to sell.
Next in the series
BOOK 2
The Other Cryptos
Families, use cases and narratives: how to read a project before you put a dollar into it.
BOOK 3
Putting Your Crypto to Work
DeFi: lending, providing liquidity, earning yield, and the risks that come with it.