Resource Search

Cryptocurrency has revolutionized the financial markets but also created tax traps for the unwary investor. Building on proposed regulations issued in 2023, the IRS has increased its oversight of cryptocurrency transactions by requiring brokers, beginning in 2025, to report investor sales and exchanges in connection with such transactions. Taxpayers not complying with these requirements may face penalties based on accuracy of reporting. For federal tax purposes and regulatory compliance, any form of virtual currency is treated as property and not cash.

For charitably minded individuals, cryptocurrency investments—such as Bitcoin and Ethereum—held more than one year may provide a unique opportunity to leverage highly appreciated assets to achieve maximum impact with charitable giving. By donating cryptocurrency to charity, it can also unlock additional funds in two tax-smart ways. For more insights on contributing non-cash assets to charity, listen to the accompanying Giving with Impact podcast.

Without proper planning, digital assets could be lost. For executors, a challenge is often just determining whether digital assets are in the decedent's estate, and then determining the powers and terms for accessing and administering them on the beneficiaries' behalf. An inventory checklist of the broad-based digital footprint is provided as a beginning step in protecting and planning for these assets.

The polarizing and often misunderstood cryptoasset landscape has grown exponentially in recent years. While there are substantial risks associated with these young assets, they continue to grow in importance along with its blockchain technology. This paper reviews some of the space’s pressing issues, considers cryptoassets in a portfolio setting, and offers some considerations of different implementation options.

The blockchain/crypto space continues to evolve at a blistering pace, with bitcoin reaching an all-time high of $65k in mid-April up from its $29k price at the beginning of 2021. The growth was fueled by a number of converging factors and game-changing developments in the crypto space. In addition to a crypto market update, this year-in-review report highlights the most common audit, tax, and advisory themes that are top-of-mind.