CARF: prepare your family office crypto compliance
CARF in Switzerland: activation at the earliest in 2027, exchanges in 2028. Timeline, obligations and preparation for family offices. Updated September 2026.
What is CARF?
The Crypto Asset Reporting Framework (CARF) is an international tax reporting standard for digital assets, adopted by the OECD in 2022. It requires crypto service providers to automatically transmit information about their clients' transactions to tax authorities. CARF applies to exchanges, custody platforms, and crypto service providers. In Switzerland, CARF comes into force in 2026.
Implications for family offices
Family offices managing digital assets must prepare for new reporting and traceability obligations.
Automated transaction reporting
Each crypto transaction must be documented with its type, date, amount, and counterparty. Reporting must be automatable and exportable.
Counterparty identification
CARF requires the identification of counterparties for each transaction, requiring full traceability of flows between wallets.
Crypto asset valuation
Assets must be valued at market price on the transaction date, requiring access to reliable price sources.
How to prepare for CARF
CARF preparation involves three steps: centralize tracking, automate reporting, and document history.
Centralize transaction tracking
Aggregate all transactions in a single system, connected to wallets and exchanges, to avoid data scattering.
Automate reporting
Implement tools capable of automatically generating CARF reports with the information required by tax authorities.
Document history
Maintain a complete and exportable transaction history to respond to audit and compliance requests.
CARF in Switzerland: timeline and specifics
Switzerland will implement the CARF at the earliest from 1 January 2027, with the first automatic exchanges in 2028. The initial list of 74 partner jurisdictions was frozen by Parliament in late 2025. Note: CRS 2.0 (CAD 2.0), distinct from the CARF, has been active in Switzerland since 1 January 2026 for e-money and indirect crypto-asset products. In the European Union, directive DAC8 provides for data collection from 2026.
Official sources and updates
The information in this guide is based on publications from SIF.admin.ch (Swiss CARF implementation) and the OECD (CARF and CRS 2.0 frameworks). As the regulatory framework evolves, this guide is updated regularly — last updated: September 2026. For interpretation questions, always refer to official sources or your tax advisor.
Complementary features
The CIYL modules that support your CARF compliance.
Transaction history
Review each operation with context, amount, and associated client.
Multi-wallet tracking
Consolidate all wallets and exchange accounts in a single interface.
Consolidated performance
Visualize the overall performance of your crypto portfolios in real time.
Use cases
Prepare your compliance with CIYL
CIYL centralizes crypto transaction tracking and generates exportable history for CARF reporting. Test the platform now.