Svmuu News: The South African Revenue Service (SARS) released a draft tax guidance document on crypto assets on July 1, 2026, proposing compliance rules for approximately 5.8 million to 6 million South African cryptocurrency users, and has opened a public comment period through August 31, 2026. Under the updated framework, crypto assets are classified as intangible assets and are not considered foreign currency or traditional currency; taxpayers are not required to pay tax on unrealized gains or losses while simply holding the assets. Tax obligations are triggered upon the disposal of the asset. If an individual’s crypto activities are deemed to be similar to business operations or short-term day trading, profits will be classified as gross income and taxed at marginal rates ranging from 18% to 45%; if crypto assets are held as long-term investments, gains on disposal are subject to capital gains tax, with an effective tax rate for individuals ranging from 18% to 36%. The draft also treats exchanges between crypto assets as barter transactions, with tax consequences arising immediately at the time of exchange based on local market value. SARS stated that it has deployed the Crypto Revenue Augmentation Unit to track and audit digital wallets, and urged taxpayers who have not previously disclosed crypto gains to file their returns through the Voluntary Disclosure Program to avoid administrative penalties resulting from increased enforcement after the August deadline. (Bitcoin.com News).