Italy's Deputy Finance Minister, Maurizio Leo, said the government will raise taxes on capital gains on cryptocurrencies such as bitcoin to 42% from 26%, according to Reuters and Bloomberg.

The Italian cabinet made the decision because the “phenomenon is spreading," Leo said of bitcoin during a conference call Wednesday, according to Bloomberg.

The move comes as Italy decided to strengthen its digital services tax as part of plans to raise more revenues in the 2025 budget.

The price of bitcoin (BTC) remained unaffected by the development, extending its week-over-week gain to more than 12%, rising above $68,000 for the first time since late July.

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