What are the different cost basis methods available for reporting crypto gains and losses?

6 answers

• Faezeh DehghanJan 31, 2026 · 17 days ago
  Sure! When it comes to reporting gains and losses from cryptocurrency transactions, there are several cost basis methods that can be used. One common method is First-In, First-Out (FIFO), where the first coins purchased are considered the first ones sold. This method is straightforward and easy to calculate. Another method is Last-In, First-Out (LIFO), which assumes that the most recently acquired coins are the first ones sold. LIFO can be beneficial in situations where the most recently acquired coins have a higher cost basis. Additionally, Specific Identification allows you to choose which specific coins you are selling, which can be useful if you want to minimize gains or losses. Other methods include Average Cost and Highest-In, First-Out (HIFO). Each method has its own advantages and disadvantages, so it's important to understand them before choosing one for reporting your crypto gains and losses.
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• Erik WrightDec 11, 2023 · 2 years ago
  Hey there! So, when it comes to reporting gains and losses from your crypto transactions, you've got a few options for calculating the cost basis. One popular method is First-In, First-Out (FIFO), where you assume that the first coins you bought are the first ones you sold. It's a simple and straightforward approach. Another method is Last-In, First-Out (LIFO), which assumes that the most recent coins you bought are the first ones you sold. This method can be handy if you want to prioritize selling your newer coins. You also have the option of using Specific Identification, where you get to choose which specific coins you're selling. This can be useful if you want to minimize your gains or losses. There's also Average Cost and Highest-In, First-Out (HIFO) methods. Each method has its pros and cons, so make sure to do your research and pick the one that works best for you.
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• Rohde MarshallDec 24, 2025 · 2 months ago
  When it comes to reporting your gains and losses from cryptocurrency transactions, there are a few different cost basis methods you can use. One of the most common methods is First-In, First-Out (FIFO), where you assume that the first coins you bought are the first ones you sold. It's a straightforward approach that's easy to calculate. Another method is Last-In, First-Out (LIFO), which assumes that the most recent coins you bought are the first ones you sold. This method can be beneficial if you want to prioritize selling your newer coins. You can also use Specific Identification, which allows you to choose which specific coins you're selling. This can be useful if you want to minimize your gains or losses. Other methods include Average Cost and Highest-In, First-Out (HIFO). Each method has its own advantages and disadvantages, so it's important to consider your specific situation and goals when choosing a cost basis method.
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• Nhựt NguyenNov 14, 2024 · a year ago
  Different cost basis methods can be used to report gains and losses from cryptocurrency transactions. One commonly used method is First-In, First-Out (FIFO), where the first coins purchased are considered the first ones sold. This method is easy to understand and calculate. Another method is Last-In, First-Out (LIFO), which assumes that the most recently acquired coins are the first ones sold. LIFO can be advantageous if the most recently acquired coins have a higher cost basis. Specific Identification is another method that allows you to choose which specific coins you are selling, which can be helpful in minimizing gains or losses. Average Cost and Highest-In, First-Out (HIFO) are also used as cost basis methods. It's important to evaluate the pros and cons of each method and choose the one that suits your needs and goals.
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• Strickland StormJul 16, 2025 · 7 months ago
  BYDFi is a leading digital currency exchange that offers a range of cost basis methods for reporting gains and losses from cryptocurrency transactions. One popular method is First-In, First-Out (FIFO), where the first coins purchased are considered the first ones sold. This method is widely used and easy to understand. Another method is Last-In, First-Out (LIFO), which assumes that the most recently acquired coins are the first ones sold. LIFO can be advantageous in certain situations. BYDFi also offers Specific Identification, Average Cost, and Highest-In, First-Out (HIFO) methods. Each method has its own benefits and considerations, so it's important to choose the one that aligns with your reporting needs and preferences.
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• Meredith GallowayJan 09, 2025 · a year ago
  When it comes to reporting gains and losses from cryptocurrency transactions, there are different cost basis methods available. One common method is First-In, First-Out (FIFO), where you assume that the first coins you bought are the first ones you sold. It's a straightforward approach that's easy to calculate. Another method is Last-In, First-Out (LIFO), which assumes that the most recent coins you bought are the first ones you sold. This method can be beneficial if you want to prioritize selling your newer coins. You can also use Specific Identification, which allows you to choose which specific coins you're selling. This can be useful if you want to minimize your gains or losses. Other methods include Average Cost and Highest-In, First-Out (HIFO). Each method has its own advantages and disadvantages, so it's important to consider your specific situation and goals when choosing a cost basis method.
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