Dutch Finance Minister: Taxing unrealized gains on crypto and other assets is 'badly designed'

Earlier this month, as the Dutch House of Representatives passed a bill imposing a 36% capital gains tax on savings and most liquid assets, the finance minister said the bill has design flaws and indicated it would be revised.

According to crypto-focused outlet DL News on the 25th (local time), Dutch Finance Minister Eelco Heinen said in an interview, "This bill cannot pass as it is," adding, "It is badly designed. It needs to be amended."

The contentious bill includes as taxable income all returns generated from savings accounts, crypto assets, most stock investments, interest-bearing financial products, and more.

In particular, it sparked controversy because it would tax valuation gains—so-called 'unrealized gains'—even if the assets have not actually been sold.

Heinen said he would adjust the overly broad scope that does not align with the intent of the taxation, suggesting structural revisions to the bill are unavoidable.