Bitcoin Tax Loss Harvesting: Strategy's December 2022 Move

Dr. Anja Schmidt · 2026-05-11

Back in December 2022, a major player made a smart move that a lot of us could learn from. Strategy sold some of its bitcoin holdings, but not because they were giving up on crypto. They were using a tactic called tax loss harvesting. It's a pretty clever way to offset gains and lower your tax bill. And it's something you might want to think about for your own portfolio, especially if you're trading on the best crypto trading platforms in 2026. ### What Is Tax Loss Harvesting, Anyway? Tax loss harvesting is basically selling an asset at a loss to offset the taxes you'd owe on gains from other investments. Think of it like this: you made some profit on one trade, but another one didn't go so well. By selling the losing one, you can cancel out some of that profit for tax purposes. It's not about giving up on the asset. You might even buy it back later. But for that moment, you're using the loss to your advantage. This is a common strategy for investors who are active on crypto trading platforms.  ### Why Strategy Did It in December 2022 December 2022 was a rough time for crypto. Prices were way down from their highs. So Strategy, which holds a massive amount of bitcoin, decided to sell some at a loss. This allowed them to offset other gains they had made during the year. It's a smart financial move, especially when you're dealing with big numbers. And it shows that even the big players use these techniques. You don't have to be a giant corporation to do it, though. If you're using any of the best crypto trading platforms in 2026, you can apply the same logic to your own trades. ### How You Can Use This Strategy If you've got some crypto that's lost value, you might want to consider tax loss harvesting. Here are a few things to keep in mind: - **Sell at a loss:** You need to actually sell the asset to realize the loss. Just watching it drop doesn't count. - **Offset gains:** The loss can offset capital gains from other investments, including stocks and other crypto. - **Watch the wash-sale rule:** In the US, you can't buy the same asset back within 30 days or the loss doesn't count. So plan ahead. This isn't financial advice, but it's a strategy worth discussing with a tax professional. Especially if you're actively trading on platforms that make it easy to track your gains and losses. ### Picking the Right Platform Matters When you're doing things like tax loss harvesting, having a good platform makes a huge difference. The best crypto trading platforms in 2026 will offer clear reports on your realized and unrealized gains. They should make it easy to see your cost basis and track your trades. Some platforms even integrate with tax software, which can save you a ton of headaches come April. So when you're choosing where to trade, think about the tools they offer for tax management. ### Final Thoughts Strategy's move in December 2022 was a reminder that even the biggest players use basic tax strategies. You can do the same thing with your own portfolio. Just remember to sell at the right time, understand the rules, and use a platform that gives you the data you need. Tax loss harvesting isn't about losing money. It's about being smart with the losses you already have. And that's a strategy worth knowing.