Survey Reveals Crypto Tax Confusion Among U.S. Investors

A new survey reveals widespread confusion among U.S. cryptocurrency investors about basic tax rules, with fewer than half correctly identifying when transactions become taxable events. The 2026 Crypto Tax Readiness Report, published by Coinbase and CoinTracker, polled 3,000 American crypto users in September and October 2025, ahead of the 2025 tax filing season.

The findings show that only 49 percent of respondents understand that selling cryptocurrency triggers a tax liability, while 22 percent mistakenly believe simple transfers between personal wallets do so. Additionally, 61 percent were unaware of specific IRS rules finalized for the 2025 tax year. Under current guidelines, the IRS treats digital assets as property, meaning taxable events include sales for fiat currency, trades between cryptocurrencies, swaps, payments using crypto such as stablecoins or gas fees, and even certain decentralized finance activities like staking rewards or airdrops. Transfers between an investor's own wallets, however, do not qualify as taxable.

Despite the knowledge gaps, the survey indicates strong compliance intentions. Seventy-four percent of users know their crypto activity is taxable,...