A 36% Tax Hike in the Netherlands? “Three Defense Strategies” to Safeguard the Future of Your Assets and Crypto

What if, one day, the state suddenly declared it would take nearly half of the assets you worked so hard to grow? This dystopian scenario is now becoming a reality, shaking the foundations of wealth in Europe.

The shocking “36%” wealth tax recently passed by the Dutch House of Representatives is not merely a “distant event in a foreign land.” It is a clarion call to every investor holding digital assets across borders. In Japan, where the footsteps of a weakening yen and potential tax hikes grow louder, how should we survive? From the perspective of Shironegi Tech, we dissect the mindset required to protect your assets from the state’s “harvest.”

1. The Shocking Reality of the “36% Tax” in the Netherlands

An investors’ paradise has turned into a taxation battlefield overnight. The news sending shockwaves globally is the proposed amendment to the Dutch asset taxation system known as “Box 3.”

For investors, the contents are nothing short of a “chilling, toxic drug”:

• The Heavy Burden of a Flat 36%: A relentless 36% tax rate will be unleashed on investment returns and held assets.
• The Dragnet for Digital Assets: Crypto assets, including Bitcoin, naturally cannot escape this net.
• Redistribution in the Name of “Fairness”: The government hoists the flag of “wealth redistribution,” but in reality, it is simply seizing the fruits of investors who took risks to innovate.

For governments struggling with fiscal deficits, bloated private investment assets are an easy target. This trend of “taxing the haves” is not a phenomenon unique to Europe. Every developed nation burdened with fiscal debt is watching these developments with bated breath.

2. “Invisible Risks” Facing Japanese Investors

“Japan has the New NISA, so we’re safe.” If you believe that, you might be being overly optimistic. While the NISA is indeed a precious “shelter” provided by the state, it exists alongside a heavy “miscellaneous income” tax of up to 55% on crypto asset profits.

If legislative changes like those in the Netherlands become the international standard, it is easy to imagine the Japanese government wielding the justification of “global tax harmonization” to follow suit.

Procrastinating with an “I’ll deal with it later” attitude is like standing naked and defenseless before the massive machinery of the state. It is too late to grieve once the rules have been rewritten. Even at this very moment, your profits are being targeted by an “invisible knife” called tax reform.

3. Asset Defense Strategies to Implement Right Now

Just as one reinforces a roof before the storm arrives, the steps an investor must take now are clear. Do not simply cower; you need an “intellectual defense” that turns the system to your advantage.

• Maximize Tax-Exempt Systems “to the Bone”: Filling your tax-exempt quotas, such as the New NISA, is no longer an investment tip—it is a “duty.” Utilize every square centimeter of the only sanctuary the state has officially recognized.
• Eliminate the “Quiet Thief”: Just as fearsome as taxes are the compounding transaction fees. Choosing a platform that balances reliability with low costs will dictate your long-term performance.
• Secure an “Escape Route” for Assets: Depending on a single country, a specific currency, or a lone exchange is nothing but a risk. You must diversify your assets from a global perspective, arranging your formation so that no single event can deal a fatal blow.

Protecting assets is not just about increasing numbers. It is about freeing yourself from complex administrative tasks and calculations so you can focus your resources on your next “offensive move.” Wise investors do not hesitate to invest in the automation of these back-office operations.

Conclusion: The Time to Move is “Now”

The global situation, tax systems, and the cruel flow of time will not wait for you to be ready.

The case of the Netherlands teaches us a harsh reality: yesterday’s common sense can become tomorrow’s “burden.” Between those who take action this very moment to build their defenses and those who remain bystanders thinking “it’ll probably be fine,” a cruel, unbridgeable gap will emerge in five to ten years.

Will your future self thank you or resent you? That turning point depends on whether you take the first step today.

Let us navigate these turbulent waters wisely together.

Note: This article is intended for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment solicitation or advice. Please make investment decisions at your own discretion.

This article is also available in Japanese.