New US bill aims to eliminate double taxation on crypto staking rewards

As an experienced tax analyst, I believe that the Providing Tax Clarity for Digital Assets Act is a positive step towards providing much-needed clarity in the taxation of cryptocurrency staking rewards. The current lack of clear guidance on this matter has left many investors confused and uncertain about their tax obligations.


Two American legislators have introduced a bill aiming to provide clarity on the taxation rules concerning rewards earned through cryptocurrency staking.

Reps. Wiley Nickel (D-N.C.) and Drew Ferguson (R-Ga) presented the Providing Tax Clarity for Digital Assets Act on May 1st to bring clarity to the taxation of staking rewards. Their proposed legislation aims to prevent double taxation by taxing these rewards solely upon their sale.

The bill would define staking rewards as created property under the U.S. tax code. 

“Rep. Ferguson stated that the Providing Tax Clarity for Digital Assets Act would bring long-awaited tax clarification to the industry, positioning the US as a trailblazer in digital asset taxation, and fostering innovation and entrepreneurship within the country.”

As a researcher studying the intricacies of cryptocurrency investments, I’ve discovered that staking rewards are earned by actively engaging in the security and validation processes of various blockchain networks. These rewards come in the form of additional tokens as incentives for our involvement. However, the tax implications of these rewards remain unclear, leaving many investors perplexed about whether they should be taxed upon receipt or sale.

In reaction to a previous decision by the Internal Revenue Service, the new legislation mandates that crypto investors report and pay taxes on the earnings from their staking activities as part of their total income during tax filings. The IRS considers these rewards as taxable income.

As an analyst, I’ve noticed that the proposed law has generated a great deal of support from various sectors of the community. Specifically, the suggestion to tax block rewards from proof-of-work and proof-of-stake networks exclusively upon sale has been warmly received. In a conversation with crypto.news, Taha Abbasi, CTO at Ferrum Network – a leading staking technology infrastructure provider – shared his positive perspective:

As an analyst, I’m thrilled about the proactive steps taken by Congressmen Drew Ferguson (R-GA) and Wiley Nickel (D-NC) in the U.S. Congress to bring clarity to Tax Legislation concerning digital assets, particularly focusing on staking technologies. By doing so, I am confident that this bill will position the United States as a trailblazer, not only in technological advancements but also in legal and regulatory frameworks that foster growth in our dynamic technological landscape.

During this time, Sheila Warren, the CEO of Crypto Council for Innovation, expressed her approval towards the law, referring to it as “accurately targeted.” She further stated that the legislation would bring about essential “clarity” in the field.

Rep. Nickel and Rep. Ferguson have championed the need for well-defined regulatory structures for digital assets. Last year, Rep. Nickel spearheaded efforts to pass the Financial Innovation and Technology Act. This legislation aims to establish a regulatory framework for digital assets, providing consumer protection while fostering innovation in the sector.

The bill was passed in close proximity to the Bitcoin halving that occurred on April 19, resulting in a decrease in mining rewards for each block from 6.25 Bitcoins to 3.125 Bitcoins.

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2024-05-02 12:25