Moved to Dubai. Bought crypto. Still taxed by the UK.

It’s happening more than you think — here’s why:

The Mistakes Most Expats Make:

Using Binance UK or Kraken with a UK login

Never completing the Statutory Residence Test (SRT)

Holding crypto personally instead of via UAE entities

Using UK advisors, banks, or wallets

🎯 What HMRC Looks For:

✅ Wallet metadata ✅ Exchange location ✅ Day count in the UK ✅ Family, property, and financial ties

Even if you live in Dubai, if your crypto still operates through the UK — HMRC considers you fair game.

🛡 How to Actually Be Tax-Free in Dubai:

✅ Pass the SRT (legally exit UK tax residency)

✅ Use UAE wallets & compliant exchanges

✅ Structure long-term holdings via a Freezone company

✅ Align your crypto income & fiat flows with your UAE residency

One Client’s Outcome:

Sold £2.1M in ETH over 9 months ✅ Rebased all activity to UAE ✅ Set up private custody + clean fiat off-ramp ✅ Result: £0 in UK tax — fully defensible

📌 Final Word:

Crypto gains don’t care where you live. HMRC cares where they can prove you still operate.