France Drops Self-Custody Crypto Reporting; AIMCo Buys MSTR

French lawmakers removed a tax provision that required individuals to report the value and characteristics of cryptocurrencies held in self-custody wallets. The change applies to assets stored in wallets where private keys are controlled by the owner rather than a third-party custodian.

Authorities removed the provision after debate over its scope and potential effects on taxpayer privacy and personal safety. Critics had warned the requirement would force owners of noncustodial wallets to disclose sensitive information to tax authorities.

Privacy advocates and some lawmakers raised concerns that mandatory disclosure could increase security risks for crypto holders, citing reports of criminals targeting individuals known to hold digital assets, including theft and violent attacks.

Self-custody refers to holding private cryptographic keys and managing wallets without relying on an exchange or other custodian. Reporting rules for cryptocurrencies have typically focused on trades and custodial accounts; rules covering self-custody require more detailed personal disclosure.

In a separate filing, Alberta Investment Management Corp., the provincial pension manager for Alberta’s public sector, disclosed a $219 million purchase of 1.38 million shares of MicroStrategy, which trades under the MSTR ticker.

MicroStrategy has used part of its corporate cash to purchase Bitcoin and holds the cryptocurrency on its balance sheet. Some investors use MicroStrategy shares to gain exposure to Bitcoin through a stock rather than holding the digital asset directly.

Both items were disclosed in official updates from the respective authorities.