Dutch finance minister: Taxing unrealized gains on crypto assets and others is 'poorly designed'

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

According to crypto asset media outlet DL News on the 25th (local time), Dutch Finance Minister Eelco Heinen said in an interview, "This bill cannot pass as it is. It's poorly designed. It needs to be revised."

The bill in question includes as taxable all gains from savings accounts, crypto assets, most stock investments, and interest-bearing financial products. In particular, it sparked controversy because it would tax valuation gains—so-called 'unrealized gains'—even if the assets have not actually been sold.

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