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Taxes & Regulation

How US law treats crypto and what you owe: IRS rules, capital gains, reporting on Form 8949, tax software and the identity checks exchanges run.

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Taxes & RegulationIntermediateWhy US states restrict crypto ATMs: Minnesota’s banMinnesota law bans cryptocurrency kiosks statewide, and the Department of Commerce enforces the rule; online exchanges and apps are not covered.

Vahe Hakobyan3 min readRead guide

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A dark navy desk with blank forms, a calculator with a blank display, a pen and a folder on the right, and the guide title on the left.

Taxes & RegulationIntermediateCryptocurrency regulation in the US: who makes the rulesUS cryptocurrency regulation does not ban buying or holding. The SEC, CFTC, IRS, FinCEN, OFAC and states split oversight, and the IRS taxes crypto as property.4 min read · Updated Oct 5, 2026

Cryptocurrency tax software title over a dark desk with a calculator, folder, blank forms and a pen.

Taxes & RegulationIntermediateCryptocurrency Tax Software: What the IRS RequiresCrypto tax software imports trades, works out gains, and fills IRS forms for federal returns. The IRS treats digital assets as property, not currency.3 min read · Updated Oct 5, 2026

How to report cryptocurrency on taxes title over a dark desk with blank forms, a calculator and a pen.

Taxes & RegulationIntermediateHow to report cryptocurrency on your taxesReport crypto on your US taxes by sorting each event into a capital gain or ordinary income. Sales and swaps go on Form 8949 and Schedule D.3 min read · Updated Oct 5, 2026

A dark desk with a blank form, closed folder, calculator and pen, lit by a warm orange glow on the right.

Taxes & RegulationIntermediateHow to legally lower capital gains tax on cryptocurrencyYou generally cannot escape crypto capital gains tax, but IRS rules can lower, defer, or sometimes eliminate it. The IRS treats crypto as property.3 min read · Updated Oct 5, 2026

The title Tax on cryptocurrency over a dark desk with blank forms, a calculator, and a pen lit by orange light.

Taxes & RegulationIntermediateTax on cryptocurrency: what the IRS taxes and how to reportThe IRS taxes crypto as property. Sales, swaps, spending, and income can trigger tax. Report capital trades on Form 8949 and Schedule D.3 min read · Updated Oct 5, 2026

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Taxes & RegulationIntermediateWhat Happens If You Do Not Report Crypto Taxes?Skipping crypto on your taxes can bring IRS penalties, interest and an audit. A willful failure to report can lead to criminal tax evasion charges.3 min read · Updated Oct 6, 2026

The title US cryptocurrency regulation over a dark navy desk with blank forms, a calculator and a folder in glowing orange light

Taxes & RegulationIntermediateUS cryptocurrency regulation: who regulates whatUS crypto regulation is split by federal activity, not one agency. The IRS taxes crypto as property, and FinCEN requires exchange registration.3 min read · Updated Oct 5, 2026

The title When do I have to report cryptocurrency on taxes? over a dark desk with blank forms, a calculator and a pen.

Taxes & RegulationIntermediateWhen do I have to report cryptocurrency on taxes?You report crypto to the IRS for the year you sell, swap, spend, or earn it, while buying and holding is not taxable. The IRS treats it as property.3 min read · Updated Oct 5, 2026

Cryptocurrency tax rate title over dark tax forms, a blank calculator, and a glowing orange pen on a navy desk

Taxes & RegulationIntermediateCryptocurrency tax rate: how the IRS decides what you oweThere is no single cryptocurrency tax rate. The IRS treats crypto as property, so your rate depends on your income and how long you held it before selling.3 min read · Updated Oct 5, 2026

What is KYC in cryptocurrency title over a dark navy desk with a blank ID card, blank form and magnifying glass in warm orange light.

Taxes & RegulationIntermediateWhat Is KYC in Cryptocurrency?KYC is the identity check US crypto exchanges must run under anti-money-laundering law. You show ID before trading; self-custody wallets usually stay outside.3 min read · Updated Oct 5, 2026

The title Cryptocurrency capital gains tax over blank tax forms, a calculator and a pen on a dark navy desk

Taxes & RegulationIntermediateCryptocurrency capital gains tax: what US filers oweUS tax law treats cryptocurrency as property, so capital gains tax applies when you sell, trade or spend it. Buying and holding is not taxable.3 min read · Updated Oct 5, 2026

The title Is cryptocurrency legal? over a dark desk with a gavel, blank forms, a folder and a scale in warm orange light

Taxes & RegulationIntermediateIs cryptocurrency legal in the US? Rules and agenciesYes, cryptocurrency is legal in the US, but federal and state rules govern buying, selling, swapping, and earning it. The IRS treats it as property.3 min read · Updated Oct 5, 2026

Cryptocurrency tax preparation title over blank tax forms and a calculator on a dark desk with orange light.

Taxes & RegulationIntermediateCryptocurrency tax preparation: what the IRS requiresThe IRS treats crypto as property, so taxable events must be reported. Gains go on Schedule D, and crypto income is ordinary income on Form 1040.3 min read · Updated Oct 5, 2026

The title How do you pay taxes on cryptocurrency? over a dark desk with blank tax forms, a calculator, a pen and a folder under warm orange light.

Taxes & RegulationIntermediateHow to pay taxes on cryptocurrency in the USYou pay crypto taxes by reporting gains and income on your IRS return. The IRS treats digital assets as property, so swapping and spending can trigger tax.3 min read · Updated Oct 5, 2026

Cryptocurrency tax calculator USA title over a dark desk with a blank calculator, forms, pen and folder in orange light

Taxes & RegulationIntermediateCrypto tax calculator USA: what the IRS providesThe IRS does not offer a crypto tax calculator for USA taxpayers. Report gains on Schedule D and answer the digital assets question on Form 1040.3 min read · Updated Oct 6, 2026

How to calculate tax on cryptocurrency title over a dark desk with blank forms, a calculator, pen and folder in orange light.

Taxes & RegulationIntermediateHow to Calculate Cryptocurrency Tax: Steps and RecordsTo calculate crypto tax, convert each taxable event to US dollars and subtract your cost basis. Swaps are taxable even when no cash changes hands.3 min read · Updated Oct 5, 2026

The title When is a cryptocurrency transaction taxable in the US? over blank tax forms, a calculator and a pen on a dark desk.

Taxes & RegulationIntermediateWhen Is a Crypto Transaction Taxable in the US?Crypto is taxable in the US when you sell, swap, spend or earn it; buying and holding is not taxable, because the IRS treats it as property.3 min read · Updated Oct 6, 2026

The title of the guide over a dark desk with blank tax forms, a calculator, a pen, and a folder in warm light.

Taxes & RegulationIntermediateHow crypto capital gains are calculated in the USCrypto capital gains are cost basis subtracted from fair market value at disposal. Holding period decides whether the gain is short-term or long-term.3 min read · Updated Oct 6, 2026

The title Short term vs long term crypto capital gains over blank tax forms, a folder, a pen and a calculator on a dark navy desk.

Taxes & RegulationIntermediateShort-Term vs Long-Term Crypto Capital Gains: How the IRS Splits ThemShort-term crypto gains are taxed at ordinary income rates and long-term gains at capital gains rates, with the IRS cutoff at a one-year holding period.3 min read · Updated Oct 6, 2026

A dark navy desk with blank tax forms, a blank calculator, a pen and a folder on the right, lit by orange light.

Taxes & RegulationIntermediateHow to determine your crypto cost basis for US taxesYou determine crypto cost basis by tracking what you paid plus costs, then reporting sales on Form 8949. The IRS treats crypto as property in the US.3 min read · Updated Oct 6, 2026

The guide title over a dark navy desk with blank paper sheets, a folder, a pen, and a calculator lit in orange.

Taxes & RegulationIntermediateHow to track cost basis across multiple crypto walletsTrack your cost basis when crypto sits in multiple wallets by combining every account's history into one master record and reconciling it for IRS reporting.3 min read · Updated Oct 6, 2026

The title How are crypto to crypto swaps taxed in the US? over a dark desk with blank tax forms, a calculator and a pen.

Taxes & RegulationIntermediateHow are crypto to crypto swaps taxed in the US?A crypto to crypto swap is a taxable disposal in the US. You owe capital gains tax on the difference between the value received and your cost basis.3 min read · Updated Oct 6, 2026

The title How is mining income taxed in the US appears over a dark background with glowing mining machines and cables on the right.

Taxes & RegulationIntermediateHow crypto mining income is taxed in the USIn the US, the IRS taxes mining rewards as ordinary income at fair market value when received, and a mining business usually owes self-employment tax.3 min read · Updated Oct 6, 2026

How are crypto airdrops taxed in the US? title over a dark navy background with a blank form, pen, and calculator on the right.

Taxes & RegulationIntermediateHow are crypto airdrops taxed in the US?Crypto airdrops are usually ordinary income at fair market value when you control them, and the IRS treats digital assets as property for federal tax.3 min read · Updated Oct 6, 2026

Taxes & RegulationIntermediateHow NFT sales are taxed in the US and what to reportAn NFT sale at a profit is usually a capital gain in the US. Your taxable gain is what you received minus your cost basis, and you report it on Form 1040.3 min read · Updated Oct 6, 2026

The guide title over a dark desk with blank tax forms, a calculator and a pen, lit by warm orange light.

Taxes & RegulationIntermediateHow stablecoin trades are treated for US taxesStablecoins are taxed as property, so selling, swapping, or spending them can trigger tax. Moving them between your own wallets is usually not taxable.3 min read · Updated Oct 6, 2026

The title How do exchange fees affect crypto cost basis? over a dark desk with a blank receipt, calculator and pen.

Taxes & RegulationIntermediateHow exchange fees affect your crypto cost basisExchange fees affect your crypto cost basis when they belong to a buy or a sale. Buy fees usually add to your basis; sell fees usually cut your proceeds.3 min read · Updated Oct 6, 2026

The title How to prepare a crypto transaction history for taxes over blank tax forms, a calculator, a pen and a folder on a dark desk.

Taxes & RegulationIntermediateCrypto tax history: how to prepare your recordsYou prepare a crypto tax history by putting every exchange, wallet, and DeFi transaction into one list, then reporting gains and income to the IRS.3 min read · Updated Oct 6, 2026

Title over a dark desk with blank forms, a calculator and a pen lit by orange glow.

Taxes & RegulationIntermediateCrypto exchange tax report incomplete: what to doCorrect an incomplete crypto exchange report with your own records before you file. The IRS asks about digital assets on Form 1040 or Form 1040-SR.3 min read · Updated Oct 6, 2026

The title How to reconcile transfers between your own wallets over a dark desk with a laptop, a hardware wallet, blank paper and a pen.

Taxes & RegulationIntermediateHow to reconcile transfers between your own walletsReconcile transfers between your own wallets by matching dates, amounts, transaction IDs and addresses, then keep accurate fee and basis records.3 min read · Updated Oct 6, 2026

Questions

Short answers to what people ask most.

Yes. The IRS treats crypto as property, so selling, swapping or spending it can create a capital gain or loss, and crypto received as pay or rewards counts as income.

List each sale, swap or payment on Form 8949 and carry the totals to Schedule D. Exchange statements or crypto tax software can build the list for you.

The IRS can assess the missing tax plus interest and penalties. Form 1040 asks every filer a yes-or-no question about digital assets.

Yes. Owning and trading crypto is legal, but exchanges must register with regulators, follow anti-money-laundering rules and verify their customers.

Know your customer: the identity check a regulated exchange runs before you trade, usually a photo ID and personal details, required under anti-money-laundering rules.