The IRS has finalized new regulations for taxing cryptocurrencies

The US Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has finalized new regulations for taxing cryptocurrencies, requiring cryptocurrency exchanges to report transactions to the IRS starting in 2026. However, decentralized platforms that do not hold assets will be exempt. These are the main provisions of the new regulations finalized by the IRS and the US Department of the Treasury on Friday, essentially implementing a provision of the Biden administration's Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act passed in 2021. Even without these new regulations, cryptocurrency holders are still required to pay taxes; however, there is no true standardization on how to report these holdings to the government and individual investors. Starting in 2026 (covering transactions in 2025), cryptocurrency platforms must provide standard 1099 forms, similar to the forms sent by banks and traditional brokerage firms. In addition to streamlining the taxation process for cryptocurrencies, the IRS also stated that it is actively working to combat tax evasion.