Senate Finance Committee Hearing May Influence Bitcoin and Digital Asset Tax Treatment, Coinbase Tax VP to Testify

The Senate Finance Committee will hold a crypto tax hearing next Wednesday to examine digital asset tax treatment, with Coinbase tax VP Lawrence Zlatkin, Coin Center policy director Jason Somensatto and three tax and policy experts testifying on stablecoins, airdrops, mining and staking.

• Senate hearing to clarify digital asset tax rules
• Witnesses include Coinbase tax leadership, Coin Center and AICPA digital tax experts.
• Focus areas include stablecoin payments, taxation of airdrops, mining and staking and potential IRS guidance.

What is the Senate Finance Committee hearing on digital asset tax？

Digital asset taxis the focus of a Senate Finance Committee hearing scheduled for next Wednesday, where lawmakers will question industry and tax experts about how crypto transactions should be taxed. The panel aims to reconcile current IRS property-based rules with recommendations from the White House Digital Asset Working Group.

Who will testify at the crypto tax hearing？

The hearing will be led by Chair Mike Crapo and will feature Lawrence Zlatkin, vice president of tax at Coinbase, and Jason Somensatto, policy director at Coin Center. Additional witnesses include Annette Nellen, chair of the Digital Assets Tax Task Force at the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, and Andrea S. Kramer of ASKramer Law.

Source: Eleanor Terrett

The hearing aligns with the White House Digital Asset Working Groups July recommendations. That report urged lawmakers to recognize crypto as a new asset class and to adapt existing tax frameworks for securities and commodities to digital assets.

How does current IRS guidance treat crypto transactions？

The IRS currently treats crypto and nonfungible tokens as property, not currency. This classification means most transactions can trigger capital gains tax events when assets are sold or transferred at a profit.

If Congress does not act, the White House report called for the Treasury Department and the IRS to issue guidance clarifying taxation of stablecoin payments and small amounts of crypto received from airdrops, mining and staking. Such guidance would affect everyday participants and tax reporting requirements.

Frequently Asked QuestionsWill miners and stakers be taxed twice？

Senator Cynthia Lummis argues miners and stakers face “unfair tax treatment” by being taxed when rewards are received and again when sold. The hearing will examine whether legislative or administrative changes are needed to prevent double taxation.

What outcomes could the hearing produce for taxpayers？

The hearing could prompt clearer IRS guidance or legislative proposals to define taxable events for stablecoins, airdrops, mining and staking, reducing uncertainty for taxpayers and industry participants.

Key Takeaways

• Senate hearing scheduled: Lawmakers will question crypto tax experts to clarify digital asset taxation.
• IRS classification matters: Crypto treated as property, which can create capital gains events on transactions.
• Next steps for participants: Track receipts, monitor guidance, and consult tax professionals ahead of any changes.

Conclusion

The upcoming Senate Finance Committee hearing will put digital asset tax issues at the forefront, addressing gaps highlighted in the White House Digital Asset Working Group report. COINOTAG will monitor testimony and published guidance; taxpayers and industry participants should prepare by documenting transactions and seeking professional tax advice.