Zakat on Cryptocurrency and Bitcoin
How to calculate zakat on Bitcoin and other cryptocurrency. Crypto is treated as cash, so pay 2.5% on its full market value once you reach the nisab.
Quick answer
Yes, zakat is due on cryptocurrency. Most contemporary scholars treat crypto like cash, so you pay 2.5% on the full market value of your holdings on the day your zakat is due, once your total zakatable wealth reaches the nisab.
Ruling
Treated as cash: fully zakatable at market value.
Zakatable portion
100% of current market value
Cryptocurrency such as Bitcoin and Ethereum is held and traded as a store of value and a medium of exchange, so the majority of contemporary scholars treat it like cash for zakat purposes.
That makes the calculation straightforward. There is no locked-in period and no partial percentage; you simply pay 2.5% on the full market value once your total wealth reaches the nisab.
How to calculate it
- 1
Value your holdings today
Record the current market value of every coin and token you hold across all wallets and exchanges on the day your zakat is due.
- 2
Include staking and yield balances
Add any coins earned from staking, lending, or yield, since these are part of your holdings once they are in your control.
- 3
Add it to your other wealth and check nisab
Add your crypto value to your cash, gold, and investments, then compare the total to the nisab.
- 4
Pay 2.5%
If your total zakatable wealth meets the nisab and a lunar year has passed, pay 2.5% of the total.
Calculate it in minutes
Our free calculator applies these rules for your madhab and country automatically, with live gold and silver nisab prices.
Open the zakat calculatorKey points to know
Crypto follows the cash rules
Because crypto is treated as cash, it sits on the same hawl (lunar-year) path as your bank balances. You do not need to track a separate holding period for each coin.
Use the value on your zakat date
Crypto is volatile, so value your holdings at the market price on your zakat due date, not at the price you bought in.
Count every wallet
Include holdings on exchanges, in self-custody wallets, and in staking or lending protocols. All of it is your wealth.
Compliance is a separate question
Whether a specific token or activity is permissible is a separate matter from zakat. Zakat is still due on assets you own and can access.
Frequently asked questions
Is zakat due on Bitcoin?
Yes. Most contemporary scholars treat Bitcoin and other cryptocurrency as cash, so zakat is due at 2.5% on the full market value once your total wealth reaches the nisab and a lunar year has passed.
Do I pay on my crypto profit or the total value?
You pay on the total current market value of your holdings, not only on the profit, because crypto is treated as cash rather than as a business investment.
What if my crypto is locked in staking?
Coins earned or held in staking are still your wealth and are generally included at market value. If a portion is genuinely inaccessible, some scholars allow deferring zakat on that part until you can access it.
Which price do I use for a volatile coin?
Use the market price on the day your zakat is due. The value on your annual zakat date is what matters, not the highs or lows during the year.
Related guides
This guide is for general educational purposes and reflects the methodology used in our calculator. Rulings can vary by scholar and circumstance. For a binding ruling on your specific situation, consult a qualified scholar.