UK is the same. Exchanging one crypto for another counts as a disposal for capital gains. Spending crypto counts as a disposal for capital gains. Sending crypto to someone else counts as a disposal for capital gains.
I don't envy tax accountants. The tax system was built for a small number of transactions. Crypto, with its thousands of transactions, is a nightmare.
Only taxing gains when moving crypto into fiat would be much simpler. But I'm not holding my breath for any changes.
RE: Onions, crypto and tax