How to Export Binance Transaction History for Canadian Taxes
A step-by-step guide to generating API keys and exporting CSV files from Binance for CRA tax reporting.
-
Method 1: Connect via API
Log in to Binance, navigate to API Management, and create a new API key. Ensure you select Read-Only
permissions and disable withdrawal access. Copy the API Key and Secret Key into your Canadian tax software. -
Method 2: Export CSV History
Go to the Wallet dropdown and select Transaction History. Select “Generate all statements” to get a full year
of data. Wait for the file to generate (up to 3 hours) and download the file to your desktop.
If you are reading this, you are likely dealing with the headache of filing your crypto taxes in Canada. Dealing with Binance data can be frustrating, especially since the exchange changed its operations in the Canadian market back in 2023. You might be trying to pull historical data from an account you rarely use, or you might be an active trader trying to make sense of thousands of transactions.
The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) has made it clear that crypto trading is not tax-free. Whether you made money or lost it, you have to report it. If you ignore this, you risk audits and penalties. The problem is that Binance does not give you a neat tax slip like your bank does. You have to build that report yourself.
This guide will walk you through exactly how to get your data out of Binance and how to handle the specific tax rules we face in Canada.
Does Binance Report to the CRA?
This is the most common question Canadian investors ask. The short answer is complicated. Binance does not mail you a T5008 form or a T5 slip. In the eyes of the CRA, it is your sole responsibility to track your capital gains and losses.
However, you should assume the CRA knows about your account. The CRA has used “Unnamed Persons Requirements” (UPRs) in the past to compel exchanges to hand over user data. Furthermore, because blockchains are public ledgers, on-chain analysis can often link a wallet back to a KYC-verified exchange account.
If you hold more than $100,000 CAD in cost basis on Binance (or any non-Canadian exchange), you also have an additional obligation. You likely need to file Form T1135, the Foreign Income Verification Statement. Because Binance is not a Canadian resident corporation, assets held there are considered specified foreign property. Failing to file this form carries a minimum penalty of $2,500 per year.
Method 1: Connecting via API (The Easy Way)
Using an API connection is usually the best way to handle Binance tax reporting Canada. It allows your tax software to read your transaction history automatically. It saves you from formatting spreadsheets manually.
Step 1: Create the API Key
Log in to your Binance account. Click on the profile icon in the top navigation bar and select API Management from the dropdown menu. You may need to complete a 2-factor authentication check to proceed.
Step 2: Configure Permissions
Click Create API. Give it a label like “Tax Software 2026”. When the permissions appear, it is vital that you check the box for Enable Reading. Do not check “Enable Spot & Margin Trading” and absolutely never check “Enable Withdrawals”. Your tax software only needs to see what happened, not move your money.
Step 3: Sync with Tax Software
You will see an API Key and a Secret Key. The Secret Key will only be shown once. If you leave the page, it disappears for security reasons. Copy both keys and paste them into your chosen Canadian crypto tax calculator. The software will begin importing your history. This can take anywhere from a few minutes to an hour depending on your trade volume.
Method 2: Exporting Binance CSV History
If the API fails or you prefer to keep your data offline, you can export CSV files. This method is more prone to errors because Binance has changed its file formats multiple times over the years.
Step 1: Locate the Export Tool
On the Binance dashboard, go to Wallet and select Transaction History. Do not just look at your “Spot Order” history, as that often misses rewards, airdrops, and conversions.
Step 2: Generate the Statement
Look for the Export Transaction Records button. You will usually see an option to “Generate all statements”. This is better than selecting specific dates manually because it ensures you do not create gaps in your data. If you have a high volume of trades, Binance allows you to generate statements for a full year at a time.
Step 3: Wait and Download
Binance does not generate these files instantly. It can take up to three hours for the system to prepare the CSV. You will receive an email or a notification when it is ready. Download the file and do not open it in Excel just yet. Opening it in Excel can sometimes change the date formats, which causes import errors later. Upload the raw file directly to your tax software.
Common Binance Import Errors (Troubleshooting)
Even with the best tools, things go wrong. Here are the most frequent issues Canadian users face when finalizing their Binance tax reporting.
The “Calculated Balance” Error
This happens when your tax software thinks you sold more crypto than you owned. For example, the software sees you sold 1 BTC, but your history only shows you bought 0.5 BTC. This usually happens because of missing deposit history. If you bought crypto on another exchange (like Shakepay or Newton) and sent it to Binance, you must import the history from those other exchanges too. The software needs the full picture.
Missing Staking and Distribution Data
Binance often categorizes staking rewards, fork drops, and referral bonuses differently than standard trades. These sometimes do not show up in the main transaction history CSV. You may need to look for a specific “Distribution” or “Earn” history export section on the platform to capture these taxable events.
Spot vs. Convert
If you used the “Convert” feature (the easy swap tool) instead of the Spot market, these transactions might be in a separate file. Ensure you check the “Convert History” tab if you have gaps in your report.
Canadian Specifics: ACB vs. FIFO
This is where many Canadians make a costly mistake. Most online information and many default software settings are built for the United States. The US uses a method called FIFO (First-In-First-Out) or HIFO (Highest-In-First-Out) to calculate gains.
Canada does not use FIFO. We use Adjusted Cost Base (ACB). This is effectively a weighted average cost. Every time you buy a specific coin (like Bitcoin), your cost base for that asset pool changes. When you sell, your capital gain is determined by the difference between the sale price and the average cost of all the Bitcoin you held at that moment.
If you use a generic spreadsheet or US-focused software, your numbers will be wrong. You might overpay tax or underpay and get flagged by the CRA. Ensure your tax settings are explicitly set to “Canada (ACB)” or “Average Cost Basis”.
The Superficial Loss Rule
Be careful if you are selling crypto at a loss to lower your tax bill (tax loss harvesting). In Canada, if you sell an asset at a loss and rebuy the same asset within 30 days (before or after), the loss is denied. This is called the Superficial Loss Rule. The loss gets added to your ACB instead of being claimed immediately.
Conclusion
Getting your Binance tax reporting Canada requirements sorted is not impossible, but it requires patience. The departure of Binance from the Canadian market has not erased your historical tax obligations. Whether you use the API method or the CSV method, the goal is the same: accurate data that satisfies the CRA’s Adjusted Cost Base rules.
Start this process early. If you encounter errors, you will need time to trace back missing deposits or weird file formats. Once your data is clean, keep a copy of all your CSVs and calculations for at least six years, just in case the CRA decides to take a closer look.