Uploaded August 2026 | Updated September 2026, 5 days ago
In this CryptoCon NZ session, Nawaz Ahmed and Fred Tan explore the crypto startup and venture capital landscape across Australia and New Zealand. Hear their perspectives on the opportunities, challenges, and trends shaping the space across ANZ.
ð¥ Recorded live at CryptoCon NZ 2026.
#NZCryptoCon #Crypto #VentureCapital #Startups #Blockchain #DigitalAssets #Web3
In this CryptoCon NZ session, Nawaz Ahmed and Fred Tan explore the crypto startup and venture capital landscape across Australia and New Zealand. Hear their perspectives on the opportunities, challenges, and trends shaping the space across ANZ.
ð¥ Recorded live at CryptoCon NZ 2026.
#NZCryptoCon #Crypto #VentureCapital #Startups #Blockchain #DigitalAssets #Web3


![Profit First or Tax First? Trading Strategies & Tax Tips Debate | Binance at AusCryptoCon
Panel clash on the importance of trading strategies versus tax planning for crypto investors. Explore the arguments for prioritizing profit generation, understanding market dynamics, and navigating the complexities of crypto taxation in Australia. Discover real-world examples & actionable insights.
ð¹ Team Trading: Focus on making money firstâtax can wait!
ð¹ Team Tax: Smart planning can save you thousandsâeven if you donât profit.
ð¹ Why 99% of active traders lose moneyâand how tax planning could save them.
ð¹ Does tax FOMO stop people from taking life-changing investment risks?
ð¹ How structuring your portfolio right can optimize profits AND minimize tax.
Who won? Watch and decide for yourself.
[00:00:52] Red Team (Trading Strategy): James Quinn-Kumar (Binance) and Adam Stokes
[00:10:05] Blue Team (Tax Strategy): Patrick McGimpsey (Crypto Tax Calculator) and Matt Walrath (Crypto Tax Made Easy).
[00:01:27] Brief Introductions: Panelists introduce themselves and their companies.
[00:03:47] Opening Statement - Trading Strategy: Emphasizing profit generation as the primary focus, using the analogy that its better to pay tax on profits than no profits.
[00:04:35] Opening Statement - Tax Strategy: Agreeing that profit is important but arguing that trading is a fools errand for most, with statistics showing high rates of losses among traders. Tax strategies apply to everyone, regardless of profit or loss.
[00:06:18] Trading Strategy Rebuttal: Highlighting the importance of understanding market dynamics, sub-sectors, and emerging trends within crypto.
[00:07:36] Tax Strategy Rebuttal: Emphasizing the certainty of taxes and the ability to improve tax outcomes, contrasting it with the unpredictable nature of trading.
[00:10:25] Story Time with Uncle Adam: Illustrating how fear of taxes can prevent people from investing and potentially missing out on significant profits.
[00:11:25] 12-Month Holding Rule Discussion: Critiquing the rule that incentivizes holding for 12 months to pay less tax, which can be detrimental to trading strategies.
[00:12:37] Tax Strategy Rebuttal: Acknowledging the anecdote but emphasizing that a good tax advisor can help navigate complexities and minimize tax burdens.
[00:13:48] Audience Poll: Approximately 30% of attendees realized a profit in the last financial year.
[00:15:08] Tax Strategy Argument: Tax applies to everyone, regardless of profit or loss, and can be optimized. Trading strategies are less reliable.
[00:16:50] Crypto-to-Crypto Trades: Highlighting the tax implications of crypto-to-crypto trades, even if no Australian dollars are realized.
[00:18:44] Trading Strategy Rebuttal: Encouraging listeners to focus on making profits first, then figuring out tax implications.
[00:21:36] Tax Strategy Rebuttal: Arguing that proper entity selection (e.g., a trading company) can optimize both trading and tax outcomes.
[00:24:33] Trading Strategy Rebuttal: Setting up a trust has administrative costs and may not be suitable for beginners.
[00:26:53] Tax Strategy Rebuttal: Tax planning should be considered early to avoid issues later, especially when dealing with significant profits.
[00:28:03] Trading Strategy Rebuttal: Acknowledging the importance of tax planning but reiterating the need to focus on profit generation and learning the market.
[00:29:59] Trading Strategy Closing Statement: Prioritize profits while understanding tax rules, and build relationships with good accountants.
[00:31:09] Tax Strategy Closing Statement: Trading often leads to losses, and a good tax strategy can help mitigate those losses and optimize gains.
[00:32:07] DeFi Yield and Staking: Discussing the tax implications of staking rewards and airdrops, which are often treated as income.
[00:35:09] Trading Strategy Perspective: Encouraging exploration of new protocols and DeFi opportunities while understanding the potential tax liabilities.
Speakers:
Liam ODoherty - Binance, Australia
James Quinn-Kumar - Binance, Australia
Adam Stokes - Crypto Analyst, Australia
Patrick McGimpsey - Crypto Tax Calculator
Matt Walrath - Crypto Tax Made Easy Profit First or Tax First? Trading Strategies & Tax Tips Debate | Binance at AusCryptoCon](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/tMLZzmmBV38/mqdefault.jpg)





![Crypto Tax in Australia: SMSF, ATO & Future Regulations | Aus Crypto Con Panel
Confused about crypto tax in Australia?
Watch this expert panel discussion from the Australian Crypto Convention as they dive into the future of taxation in the evolving crypto landscape. Learn about SMSF crypto regulations, capital gains tax (CGT) implications, ATO compliance, and navigate the uncertainties of crypto taxation. Get practical advice and understand common mistakes to avoid in crypto tax.
Natalia Clack - Easy Super
Maryna Kovalenko - Syla
Harry Dell - Cadena Legal
Matt Merlehan - TaxOnChain
Tim Edwards - HopgoodGanim Lawyers
Timestamps:
[00:00:53] Panelist Introductions: Maryna Kovalenko from Syla introduces their crypto tax software designed to save users tax by applying the lowest tax method.
[00:01:30] Panelist Introductions: Harry Dell from Cadena Legal, a tax specialist with ATO background, introduces his expertise in domestic and international tax and crypto disputes.
[00:02:13] Panelist Introductions: Natalia Clack from Easy Super, an SMSF specialist, discusses their experience with complex crypto within self-managed superannuation funds.
[00:03:00] Panelist Introductions: Matt Merlehan from Tax On Chain, a tax agent and accounting firm passionate about helping crypto users with compliance and tax returns.
[00:04:46] Lack of New Crypto Tax Legislation & Guidance: Panelists discuss the absence of new tax laws and binding ATO guidance specifically for cryptocurrency, highlighting regulatory uncertainty.
[00:05:15] Crypto Asset Reporting Framework (CARF): Explanation of the upcoming international crypto reporting framework starting in 2026 for exchanges and crypto accounts.
[00:06:54] ATOs Approach to Crypto Tax Enforcement: Discussion on ATOs current enforcement approach, which is not systematic but focuses on undeclared large gains.
[00:09:23] Areas of Uncertainty in Crypto Tax: Bridging, wrapping, and movements between blockchains are highlighted as uncertain areas regarding CGT events.
[00:10:40] SMSF Borrowing & Crypto Loopholes?: Exploration of potential loopholes in SMSF legislation (section 67 of SIS Act) related to crypto not being defined as currency, but caution against exploiting loopholes due to strict SMSF regulations.
[00:12:57] SMSF Compliance & Criminal Offences: Warning against risky SMSF strategies, highlighting potential penalties and even criminal offenses for incorrect SMSF dealings.
[00:16:15] Illegal Crypto Transfers into SMSF & Penalties: Explanation of illegal crypto transfers from personal accounts to SMSF accounts and potential imprisonment penalties.
[00:17:58] CGT on Stablecoin Conversions: Addressing audience question about CGT events when converting AUD to USDT and back within crypto exchanges.
[00:19:39] SMSF Interaction with DeFi & Wallet Management: Clarification on SMSF participation in DeFi, emphasizing the need for separate declared wallets and avoiding asset co-mingling.
[00:20:56] Crypto Interest & Dividend Disclosure to ATO: Addressing data sharing with ATO and the use of software like Syla to reconcile and report crypto income and yield.
[00:23:26] SMSF Audit & Custodian Reporting: Discussion on SMSF audits, auditor requirements for data source verification, and challenges with custodian reports from crypto exchanges.
[00:26:56] Coin Stash & Audit Reports: Shoutout to Coin Stash for providing SMSF audit reports, enabling unqualified audit reports for SMSF crypto holdings.
[00:28:53] Biggest Crypto Tax Mistake to Avoid - Yield Farming & Income vs Capital Loss: Story about high yield farming losses and the inability to offset income tax with capital losses, emphasizing proactive tax reporting.
[00:31:53] Staking Reward Tax Pitfalls in SMSF: Story highlighting unexpected high tax bills from staking rewards in SMSF due to market value fluctuations at the time of reward distribution.
[00:33:57] Proactive Tax Planning & Seeking Advice: Importance of being on top of records, proactive tax planning before June 30th, and seeking professional tax advice.
[00:35:34] 122A Rollover for Short-Term Crypto Gains: Explanation of 122A rollover for restructuring and tax optimization, especially for high-volume crypto traders, and using corporate structures for tax benefits.
[00:37:18] 328G Rollover & Trusts for Tax Planning: Mention of 328G rollover and the advantages of using trusts for flexible tax planning in crypto trading. Crypto Tax in Australia: SMSF, ATO & Future Regulations | Aus Crypto Con Panel](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/unuUU_vy6Mc/mqdefault.jpg)

