Quick answer: If you hold cryptocurrency to invest or trade, you owe zakat on it. The rate is 2.5% of its market value on your zakat date. This is only if your total wealth is above the nisab amount, and you’ve owned the crypto for a full lunar year. Most scholars today treat crypto like cash or goods you trade. So, you pay zakat on its full current value, not what you paid for it.
Do I pay zakat on my crypto?
Yes, most Islamic scholars and fatwa groups agree. Think of Bitcoin, Ethereum, or stablecoins. They act like money or something you can trade. So, we treat them the same way as cash or other wealth you hold for trading. If your total wealth is more than the nisab limit, and you’ve owned your crypto for a full lunar year, you owe 2.5% zakat on it.
How to figure out your crypto’s value for zakat
You need to use the market value on your specific zakat date. Don’t use the price you paid for it. For each coin you own, find its price in your local money on that day. Then, add all those values together. This includes coins on exchanges, in software wallets, and in cold storage. For stablecoins, just use their face value.
Is there a difference for trading vs. holding long-term?
With crypto, it’s generally the same whether you trade a lot or hold it for a long time. This is because crypto itself is easy to buy and sell, and you pay zakat on its full value. You’ll pay 2.5% of the total market value either way. This is different from company shares. For shares you hold long-term, you often only pay zakat on a part of their value. You can learn more in our zakat on stocks guide.
Step-by-step calculation for crypto zakat
- First, make sure a lunar year has passed since you got the crypto. Also, check that your total wealth is more than the nisab amount.
- List every single coin and token you own. Write down its market value on your zakat date.
- Add in any stablecoins you have. Also, include any crypto you’ve lent out that you expect to get back.
- Add up all these values to get your total. Then, multiply that total by 2.5% (or divide it by 40). That’s your zakat due.
A quick example
Let’s say on your zakat date, you have 0.2 BTC worth $14,000. You also have $3,000 in ETH and $1,000 in stablecoins.
- Total crypto you owe zakat on: $14,000 + $3,000 + $1,000 = $18,000.
- Zakat you need to pay: $18,000 × 2.5% = $450.
You can add this to your cash and gold values using the Zakat on Crypto Calculator to get your full zakat amount.
What about staking, DeFi, and mining?
If you have rewards from staking or DeFi that you still hold, add their market value to your zakatable wealth. Any interest-like earnings (riba) are a bit tricky. It’s safer to give that specific portion to charity separately, rather than counting it as zakat. For coins you’ve mined, they become zakatable like any other crypto once you’ve held them for a year and your total wealth meets the nisab conditions.
Frequently asked questions
Do I pay zakat on crypto I haven’t sold?
Yes, you do. Zakat is due on the market value of the crypto you hold on your zakat date. It doesn’t matter if you’ve sold it or not. You don’t need to sell your crypto to owe zakat on it.
What price should I use for zakat on Bitcoin?
You should use the market price of Bitcoin on your personal zakat date. This is your hawl anniversary. Convert that price to your local currency. Don’t use the price you originally paid for it.
Is zakat on crypto 2.5%?
Yes, the standard zakat rate is 2.5%. This rate applies to the total market value of your crypto that qualifies for zakat. This is once your wealth is above nisab and you’ve held it for a full lunar year.
What about NFTs?
NFTs you own just for personal use usually don’t have zakat due on them. But if you bought NFTs to trade them for profit, they are like trade goods. In that case, you pay 2.5% zakat on their market value.
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More tools and guides
- Zakat on Crypto Calculator — use it to figure out your portfolio’s zakat.
- Zakat on Stocks — applies the same ideas to company shares.
- How to Calculate Zakat in 2026 — learn the full way for all your assets.
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