CRYPTO GLOSSARY

Cost basis

What your crypto cost you, including the fees of buying it. Gains and losses are measured from it.

Cost basis in more detail

Cost basis is what the crypto cost you. For a purchase, that is the price you paid. The IRS lets you add the transaction costs of buying, such as exchange fees and gas. Costs of selling are taken off what you received.

FROM LESSON 57 · 5 MIN READCapital gains and cost basisHow a crypto gain or loss is worked out under US rules: cost basis, fees, short-term and long-term holding periods, which coins count as sold, how losses are used and where the wash sale rule stands.Read the lesson

All 128 terms · Checked against the lesson's sources on 10 October 2026.

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