Buying Tether (USDT) in Italy
This is general information, not legal, tax, or financial advice. Verify the current rules with a qualified local professional and the official regulator before acting.
Holding Tether (USDT) is legal in Italy as of June 2026, but you cannot buy it through a MiCA licensed exchange that serves Italy, because Tether has not sought authorisation under the European Union framework MiCA and platforms such as Coinbase, Kraken, Bitpanda, and Crypto.com have removed USDT trading for European Economic Area users. You can still hold and transfer USDT through a self custody wallet, and it remains tradable on decentralized exchanges, while USDC remains a MiCA authorised alternative on regulated platforms. This is general information, not advice.
Is it legal to hold Tether in Italy?
Holding, transferring, and gifting Tether (USDT) is legal in Italy as of June 2026. USDT is a stablecoin issued by Tether that aims to track the value of the United States dollar and is widely used to move value between crypto platforms. Owning USDT is lawful for an individual in Italy, and the restriction that applies here is a platform restriction rather than a ban on the asset. CONSOB is the lead authority for crypto asset service providers, with the Banca d'Italia covering prudential and anti money laundering aspects.
Under the European Union Markets in Crypto Assets Regulation (MiCA), a stablecoin offered to the public must be issued by an authorised entity as an electronic money token or an asset referenced token. Tether has not pursued MiCA authorisation for USDT, so MiCA licensed platforms serving Italy are not able to offer it. The full framework is on the Italy crypto regulation page.
Why regulated exchanges removed USDT
The MiCA stablecoin rules became enforceable across the European Union during 2025, and crypto asset service providers that hold a MiCA licence may only list stablecoins from authorised issuers. Because Tether did not apply for authorisation, regulated platforms serving the European Economic Area withdrew USDT trading. Coinbase removed USDT for European Economic Area users, Crypto.com halted it for European Union users, and Binance and Kraken restricted USDT spot trading for European Economic Area users, all positions current as of June 2026. The transitional period for MiCA across the European Union runs to 1 July 2026, confirmed by the European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA).
The practical effect for someone in Italy is that the usual route of buying a coin on a regulated centralized exchange is not available for USDT as of June 2026. What remains lawful is holding USDT you already own in a self custody wallet, transferring it, and trading it on decentralized exchanges, where you control the keys and there is no MiCA licensed intermediary. Anyone choosing that route carries the full technical and security responsibility themselves.
A MiCA authorised stablecoin alternative
If the goal is to hold a dollar referenced stablecoin on a regulated platform that serves Italy, USDC, issued by Circle, holds MiCA authorisation and remains listed on regulated platforms as of June 2026. This is a statement of regulatory status, not a recommendation, a ranking, or any view on price. You can read more on the how to buy USDC in Italy page and the stablecoins in Italy page.
Tax when you dispose of USDT
Simply holding USDT is not a taxable event in Italy, but a gain realised on disposal is, a position current as of June 2026. Under the 2026 Budget Law, gains realised from 1 January 2026 are taxed at 33 percent, up from 26 percent in 2025, and the previous 2,000 euro exemption threshold has been removed. A disposal includes swapping USDT for another crypto, selling it for euro, or spending it. Because a stablecoin tracks a fiat value, a realised gain is often small, but a swap is still a disposal that must be assessed. The Agenzia delle Entrate administers the tax.
Holdings of crypto are also subject to monitoring obligations, reported on the RW section of the annual return, a position current as of June 2026. From 1 January 2026, crypto asset service providers report Italian resident user data each year under the DAC8 rules. The Agenzia delle Entrate assesses the tax, so keep records and confirm your position with a tax professional before filing. See our crypto tax in Italy page for more.
Regulator and sources
- CONSOB and Banca d'Italia supervision of crypto asset service providers and the stablecoin authorisation rules under the European Union Markets in Crypto Assets Regulation (MiCA).
- European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) confirmation that the MiCA transitional period ends on 1 July 2026.
- Agenzia delle Entrate taxation of crypto gains at 33 percent from 1 January 2026 under the 2026 Budget Law, the RW monitoring obligation, and the DAC8 reporting rules.
- Tether USDT as a dollar referenced stablecoin that has not sought MiCA authorisation.
Frequently asked questions
Is it legal to hold Tether in Italy?
Yes. As of June 2026 holding and transferring Tether (USDT) is legal in Italy and no personal licence is required. The restriction is on regulated platforms rather than on the individual, because Tether has not sought authorisation under the European Union framework MiCA. This is general information, not advice.
Can I buy USDT on a regulated exchange in Italy?
No. As of June 2026 MiCA licensed crypto asset service providers serving Italy, including Coinbase, Kraken, Bitpanda, and Crypto.com, have removed USDT spot trading for European Economic Area users because Tether has not pursued MiCA authorisation. CONSOB and the Banca d'Italia supervise these platforms.
How can I still get USDT in Italy?
As of June 2026 you can hold and transfer USDT you already own through a self custody wallet, and it remains tradable on decentralized exchanges. Access through regulated centralized platforms serving Italy is restricted. Confirm the current position before acting.
Is there a MiCA compliant stablecoin available in Italy?
Yes. As of June 2026 USDC, issued by Circle, holds MiCA authorisation and remains listed on regulated platforms serving Italy. This is a statement of regulatory status, not a recommendation. Verify current authorisation before acting.
How is a USDT disposal taxed in Italy?
As of June 2026 a gain realised on disposal of USDT, which includes swapping it for another crypto or selling it for euro, is taxed at 33 percent under the 2026 Budget Law, with no 2,000 euro threshold. The Agenzia delle Entrate assesses the tax. Verify your position with a qualified Italian tax professional before filing.
Related pages
Risk and change note: crypto rules and exchange availability change frequently. The position above carries an as of date and was last reviewed on June 26, 2026. The MiCA transitional period ends on 1 July 2026, so the availability of USDT and other stablecoins on regulated platforms can change. Confirm the current position with the platform, CONSOB, and the Agenzia delle Entrate before you act. This page does not advise buying or selling.
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