Summary: This blog delves into the different categories of cryptocurrency transactions, explaining each type with simple examples that anyone can understand. Whether it’s deposits, withdrawals or trades, the content offers a clear guide to help readers manage and track their crypto activities effectively.
Introduction
Cryptocurrency transactions might seem complex, but they don’t have to be. Whether you’re new to crypto or a seasoned Investor, understanding how your transactions are categorized is crucial. From deposits and withdrawals to trades and other special transactions, knowing what each type means can help you manage your digital assets more effectively. In this blog, we’ll break down these categories into easy-to-understand terms, complete with relatable examples, so you can navigate the crypto world with confidence.
Key Takeaways
- Trade involves exchanging one cryptocurrency for another or fiat.
- Withdrawal means taking cryptocurrency out of your wallet or account, like withdrawing cash from a bank.
- Deposit means receiving cryptocurrency into your wallet, like adding funds to a digital piggy bank.
- Learn how deposits, withdrawals, trades, and other transactions differ.
- Identify unique transaction activities like airdrops, staking, and margin trades.
What Are Transaction Categories?
Transaction categories are like different types of buckets where we group similar kinds of cryptocurrency transactions. These categories help us understand and organize the various ways we move, receive, or trade our digital assets. There are 3 main categories of transactions on CRPTM. Let’s break down the main categories:
1. Deposit
A “Deposit” is when you receive cryptocurrency into your wallet or account. Think of it as adding funds to your digital piggy bank. This could happen in several ways:
- Example: You might receive an airdrop, where a project gives you free tokens just for being part of the community. Or, you might earn interest on your existing crypto holdings, similar to how you earn interest in a savings account.
2. Withdrawal
A “Withdrawal” is when you take cryptocurrency out of your wallet or account, similar to withdrawing cash from your bank. This category covers different ways you can use or lose your crypto:
- Example: You might withdraw crypto to pay for a service, like hiring a freelancer and paying them in Bitcoin. Or, you might donate crypto to a charity, which is also a type of withdrawal.
3. Trade
“Trade” refers to any transaction where you exchange one asset for another. This could be between different cryptocurrencies or between crypto and regular money (fiat). It’s like trading one type of currency for another at a foreign exchange counter:
- Example: You could trade Bitcoin for Ethereum, which is a “Crypto to Crypto” trade. Or, you might sell your Bitcoin for dollars, which would be categorized as a “Sell.”
Bringing It All Together
Each of these categories helps you keep track of your crypto activity in a clear and organized way. By understanding which category a transaction falls into, you can better manage your digital assets and stay on top of your finances. Whether you’re receiving crypto as a reward, spending it, trading it for another coin, or moving it between your accounts, knowing these categories makes the process easier and more transparent.
| Criteria | Deposit | Withdrawal | Trade |
|---|---|---|---|
| Definition | Receiving cryptocurrency into your wallet or account. | Sending cryptocurrency out of your wallet or account. | Exchanging one cryptocurrency for another or for fiat. |
| Purpose | To add funds to your account or wallet. | To use or transfer funds from your account or wallet. | To buy, sell, or exchange cryptocurrencies. |
| Examples | Airdrops, Mining rewards, Interest Received. | Paying for services, Donating crypto, Staking Lockup. | Buying Bitcoin with dollars, Trading Bitcoin for ETH. |
| Impact on Balance | Increases your crypto holdings. | Decreases your crypto holdings. | Can either increase or decrease your holdings depending on the trade outcome. |
| Common Use Cases | Earning rewards, receiving payments, ICO participation. | Paying for goods, withdrawing to fiat, sending gifts. | Profiting from price differences, portfolio management. |
| Associated Risks | Minimal; mostly related to potential tax implications. | Risk of loss, theft, or transaction errors. | Market volatility, trading fees, margin losses. |
Deposit Transactions
Airdrops
Taxable as Ordinary Income Tax
Airdrops are like surprise tokens credited in your wallet in the crypto world. Imagine waking up to find free coins or tokens in your wallet just for being part of a blockchain community. For example, if you owned Ethereum, you might suddenly receive new tokens from a project built on Ethereum.
Mining
Taxable as Ordinary Income Tax
Mining is the process of using computer power to solve complex problems, which helps secure a cryptocurrency network. In return, miners receive newly created coins as a reward. Think of it as getting paid in crypto for doing the math that keeps the blockchain running.
Hard Forks
Taxable as Ordinary Income Tax
A hard fork is like a major software upgrade in a blockchain that creates a new version of the cryptocurrency. When this happens, you might receive new coins that are different from the original. For instance, Bitcoin Cash was created from a Bitcoin hard fork, and those who had Bitcoin got an equal amount of Bitcoin Cash.
Soft Forks
Soft forks are like minor software updates that improve the blockchain without creating a new version of the currency. Unlike hard forks, these don’t usually give you new coins but make the existing network more secure or efficient.
Interest Received
Taxable as Ordinary Income Tax
Just like earning interest in a traditional bank, you can earn interest by lending out your crypto or by holding certain cryptocurrencies in specific accounts. For example, if you lend out your Bitcoin, you might receive more Bitcoin as interest over time.
Dividend Received
Taxable as Ordinary Income Tax
Some cryptocurrencies pay dividends to their holders, much like stocks do. This means you get additional tokens just for holding onto your existing ones. For instance, holding NEO could earn you GAS tokens as a dividend.
Master Node
Taxable as Ordinary Income Tax
Running a masternode is like being a VIP member of a blockchain network. You help process transactions and secure the network, and in return, you get rewarded with cryptocurrency. It’s a bit like hosting a server for a network and getting paid in digital coins.
Incoming
Taxable as Ordinary Income Tax
If exchange or system is unable to classify the transaction, it will be classified as incoming transaction if it is deposit. This simply means receiving any cryptocurrency into your wallet from someone else. It could be payment for a service, cryptocurrency gift from a friend, or even just moving funds from one of your own wallets to another.
Miscellaneous Rewards
Taxable as Ordinary Income Tax
These are any other types of rewards you might receive that don’t fit into specific categories. For example, a blockchain project might reward you with tokens for participating in a promotional event.
Payment Received
Taxable as Ordinary Income Tax
This is when you receive cryptocurrency as payment for goods or services you provided. For example, if you sell a piece of artwork and accept Bitcoin as payment, this would be a “Payment Received” transaction.
Gift Received
Non Taxable
If someone sends you cryptocurrency as a gift, it’s considered a deposit. For instance, if a friend transfers some Ethereum to your wallet for your birthday, that’s a gift received.
Internal Wallet Transfer Deposit
Non Taxable
This is when you deposit cryptocurrency into one of your internal wallets within the same platform. It’s like adding money to a specific pocket within your wallet.
Sub Account Transfer Deposit
Non Taxable
This refers to moving cryptocurrency between different sub-accounts within the same main account. It’s like transferring money between different departments in the same company; the funds stay within your control, but in different “pockets.”
Self Transfer Incoming
Non Taxable
A self-transfer incoming of cryptocurrency is when you receive funds from your one wallet or account to another wallet or account that you own or control. For example, if you transfer Bitcoin from your Coinbase account to your Binance account, both accounts are under your control, so this is considered a self-transfer incoming in your Binance account.
Staking Return
Non Taxable
Staking return is when the cryptocurrency you previously locked up (or “staked”) is returned to you after the staking period ends. Imagine putting your coins in a vault to earn interest, and now the vault opens, returning your original coins along with the interest earned.
Staking Reward
Taxable as Ordinary Income Tax
Staking reward is the extra cryptocurrency you earn as a reward for staking your coins in a network. It’s like earning interest on a Term Deposit Account in your bank, but instead of dollars, you’re getting more crypto. For example, if you stake Ethereum, you might receive additional Ethereum as a reward.
Reward Re-Staked
Taxable as Ordinary Income Tax
Reward re-staked means that the rewards you earned from staking are automatically locked up again for further staking. These coins aren’t available for selling or spending right away, similar to rolling over interest earned into fixed deposit. It would be taxable at the time of earned, not when they are re-staked.
Fiat Deposit
Non Taxable
This is when you add regular money (like dollars or euros) to your crypto account. For example, depositing dollars into your exchange account to buy Bitcoin is a “Fiat Deposit.”
Switch Trade Incoming
Non Taxable
A switch trade between two different accounts refers to the process of selling a cryptocurrency in one account and using the proceeds to buy a different cryptocurrency in another account. This strategy is often used when a trader wants to shift their holdings from one cryptocurrency to another but prefers to conduct the transactions through separate accounts on different platforms or exchanges. A switch trade incoming of cryptocurrency is when you buy another currency like Bitcoin in your Coinbase in exchange for selling Ethereum from your other exchange Binance.
Crypto Rebranded Incoming
Non Taxable
“Crypto rebranding” refers to the process where a cryptocurrency project undergoes a significant change in its branding, which can include its name, logo, visual identity, messaging, or even its underlying technology and vision. A crypto rebranded incoming of cryptocurrency is when you receive new coins/tokens into your wallet or account in exchange for withdrawal of old coins from your wallet or account that you own or control. For example, if you receive 100 VET in replacement for 1 VEN from Binance in your same account. So, this is considered a crypto rebranding incoming.
Withdrawal Transactions
Gift Sent
Non Taxable
When you send cryptocurrency to someone as a gift, it’s like giving them a digital present. For example, sending some Bitcoin to a friend for their birthday would be considered a “Gift Sent.”
Payment Sent
Taxable as Capital Gain/Loss Tax
This is when you pay someone in cryptocurrency for services. For example, if you hire a freelancer and pay them in Ethereum, that transaction is “Payment Sent.”
Fee
Taxable as Capital Gain/Loss Tax
Whenever you make a transaction, you often have to pay a small amount as a fee to the network. This is like a service charge. For instance, transferring Bitcoin from one wallet to another might involve a minor “Fee.”
Outgoing
Taxable as Capital Gain/Loss Tax
If exchange or system is unable to classify the transaction, it will be classified as outgoing transaction if it is withdrawal. This simply means withdrawing any cryptocurrency from your wallet. It could be payment for a service, cryptocurrency gift to a friend, or even just moving funds from one of your own wallets to another.
Donation 501c3
Non Taxable
When you donate cryptocurrency to a qualified charitable organization (501c3 in the U.S.), it’s a “Donation.” For example, sending Bitcoin to a charity to support a cause you care about is recorded as this type of transaction.
Purchase
Taxable as Capital Gain/Loss Tax
Using your crypto to buy something, like a piece of art or a cup of coffee, is called a “Purchase.” For instance, if you buy a gadget using Litecoin, this transaction falls under this category.
Staking Lockup
Non Taxable
This is when you lock up your cryptocurrency to participate in staking, a process where your coins help validate transactions on a blockchain. Think of it as putting your money in a fixed deposit to earn interest, but in this case, it’s with cryptocurrency to earn reward or interest.
Fiat Withdrawal
Non Taxable
This is when you withdraw regular money (like dollars or euros) from your crypto account to your bank account. For example, converting Bitcoin to dollars and moving it to your bank would be a “Fiat Withdrawal.”
Internal Wallet Transfer Withdraw
Non Taxable
This is when you move cryptocurrency out of one internal wallet to another within the same platform or service, but it’s considered a withdrawal. It’s like shifting money from one pocket to another within the same wallet.
Sub Account Transfer Withdraw
Non Taxable
This is when you transfer cryptocurrency from one sub-account to another within the same main account, but it’s considered a withdrawal. Imagine moving funds between different departments in your business, but all within the same company.
Other Lost
Non Taxable
This is when your cryptocurrency is lost due to unforeseen circumstances, like an accident or technical failure. For instance, losing access to your crypto because your device crashed would be recorded as “Other Lost.”
Investment Lost
Non Taxable
Investment lost happens when your cryptocurrency investment is gone due to an exchange shutdown, scam, or bad investment. It’s similar to losing money in a business that fails.
Stolen
Non Taxable
This refers to losing cryptocurrency due to theft, such as when your account is hacked, your keys are stolen, or your device is taken. It’s like having your bank account drained by a thief.
Self Transfer Outgoing
Non Taxable
A self-transfer outgoing of cryptocurrency is when you move funds from your one wallet or account to your another wallet or account that you own or control. For example, if you transfer Bitcoin from your Coinbase account to your Binance account, both accounts are under your control, so this is considered a self-transfer outgoing in your coinbase account.
Switch Trade Outgoing
Taxable as Capital Gain/Loss Tax
A switch trade between two different accounts refers to the process of selling a cryptocurrency in one account and using the proceeds to buy a different cryptocurrency in another account. This strategy is often used when a trader wants to shift their holdings from one cryptocurrency to another but prefers to conduct the transactions through separate accounts on different platforms or exchanges. A switch trade outgoing of cryptocurrency is when you sell one currency like Ethereum from your Binance Account to buy another coins such as bitcoin in your Coinbase account that you own or control.
Crypto Rebranded Outgoing
Non Taxable
“Crypto rebranding” refers to the process where a cryptocurrency project undergoes a significant change in its branding, which can include its name, logo, visual identity, messaging, or even its underlying technology and vision. Rebranding in the crypto space can happen for various reasons, and it typically aims to improve the project’s image, align better with its goals, or reposition it in the market. A crypto rebranded outgoing of cryptocurrency is when you or exchange withdrawn old coins/tokens from your wallet or account to provide new coins in your wallet or account that you own or control. For example, if you transfer 1 VEN from Binance to get 100 VET to your same account. So, this is considered a crypto rebranding outgoing.
Trade Transactions
Trade
Taxable as Capital Gain/Loss Tax
A trade in the crypto world typically means exchanging one cryptocurrency for another. For instance, swapping Bitcoin for Ethereum would be a “Crypto to Crypto trade.” It’s like exchanging one type of fiat currency for another foreign fiat currency, when you’re traveling.
Buy
Non Taxable
This is when you use fiat currency (regular money like US dollars or euros) to purchase cryptocurrency. For example, if you buy Bitcoin using fiat currency, that’s a “Buy” transaction.
Sell
Taxable as Capital Gain/Loss Tax
Selling means exchanging your cryptocurrency for fiat currency (regular money like dollars or euros). If you sell your Ethereum and get dollars in return, that’s a “Sell” transaction.
Initial Coin Offering
Non Taxable
An Initial Coin Offering (ICO) is when you purchase new cryptocurrency tokens during their launch. Participating in an ICO means you’re buying these tokens, usually in exchange for another cryptocurrency or fiat.
Other Transactions
Ignore
Non Taxable
Sometimes, a transaction is marked as “Ignore” if it’s irrelevant or doesn’t need to be recorded. It’s like skipping over an entry in your financial records because it’s not important.
Delete Transaction
Non Taxable
This is when a transaction is removed from your records, usually because it was a mistake or duplicated. It’s like erasing a wrong entry from your checkbook.
To summarize:
| Deposit Transactions | Withdrawal Transactions | Trade Transactions |
|---|---|---|
| Airdrops | Gift Sent | Trade |
| Mining | Payment Sent | Buy |
| Hard Forks | Fee | Sell |
| Soft Forks | Outgoing | Initial Coin Offering |
| Dividend Received | Donation 501c3 | |
| Master Node | Purchase | |
| Incoming | Staking Lockup | |
| Miscellaneous Rewards | Sub Account Transfer Withdraw | |
| Payment Received | Other Lost | |
| Staking Return | Investment Lost | |
| Gift Received | Stolen | |
| Staking Reward | Fiat Withdrawal | |
| Reward Re-Staked | Internal Wallet Transfer Withdraw | |
| Fiat Deposit | Switch Trade Outgoing | |
| Internal Wallet Transfer Deposit | Crypto Rebranded Outgoing | |
| Self transfer Incoming | Self transfer Outgoing | |
| Sub Account Transfer Deposit | ||
| Switch Trade Incoming | ||
| Crypto Rebranded Incoming | ||
| Interest Received |
How can CRPTM Help?
CRPTM, a comprehensive cryptocurrency tax software and portfolio management tool, simplifies the entire process by automatically categorizing your transactions into Deposit, Withdrawal, Trade, and Others. It offers seamless integration with multiple exchanges, ensuring all your transactions are accurately tracked and categorized. Whether you’re dealing with complex trades, managing multiple wallets, or just trying to keep up with airdrops, CRPTM provides the tools you need to stay organized. With CRPTM, you can easily manage your crypto portfolio, file taxes with confidence, and focus on what really matters—growing your investments.
Conclusion
Understanding the different categories of cryptocurrency transactions is essential for anyone involved in the crypto space. Whether you’re receiving airdrops, making trades, or simply moving funds between wallets, knowing how these transactions are classified can help you stay organized and in control of your digital assets. With this knowledge, you’ll be better equipped to manage your portfolio, avoid common mistakes, and make the most of your crypto experience.
Happy investing and don’t forget to pay your taxes!
Disclaimer: The information presented on this website is intended for general informational purposes only and should not be interpreted as professional advice from CRPTM. CRPTM does not offer financial advice. We strongly recommend seeking independent legal, financial, tax, or other professional advice to determine how the information provided on this website applies to your specific circumstances. CRPTM assumes no liability for any loss incurred, whether due to negligence or otherwise, resulting from the use of or reliance on the information contained herein.
