Money & Economics
The US Strategic Bitcoin Reserve: What the Order Says and What It Doesn't
A March 2025 US executive order created a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve from forfeited coins. See what it says about selling and buying, and what it leaves out.
Topic
Regulation
How Bitcoin is treated by US regulators and tax authorities, including ETFs, exchanges and retirement accounts, in plain language.
Bitcoin regulation in the US has no single law behind it. Owning and trading bitcoin is legal for individuals, the IRS treats it as property for federal tax purposes, and agencies such as the SEC, the CFTC and FinCEN each cover a different part. Is Bitcoin Regulated in the US? gives a plain overview of who does what, including why exchanges verify your identity and where state rules add to federal ones.
Bitcoin ETFs: What They Are and What They Mean for Investors covers the regulated funds that began trading in January 2024, and Can You Buy Bitcoin in an IRA? looks at how retirement accounts fit in. Rules in this area change often, so these pages offer orientation rather than advice, and a qualified tax professional or attorney can apply them to your situation. How Is Bitcoin Taxed in the US? covers the tax side, Is Bitcoin Mining Legal? covers the rules for miners, and Bitcoin ATMs shows how identity rules reach kiosks. The Investing category has more. Best Crypto Tax Software covers tools that help with the reporting side.
Articles in Regulation
Investing
Koinly Review: What It Does, How It Charges and Who It Suits
A balanced Koinly review for US readers: what the crypto tax software does, how its plans are priced, where it struggles and who it suits.
Investing
Best Crypto Tax Software: What to Look For and the Main Options
How crypto tax software works, how it is priced, what to check before you pick one, and a balanced look at CoinLedger, CoinTracker and Koinly for US readers.
Technology
Is Bitcoin Mining Legal? What the Rules Cover
Is bitcoin mining legal in the US? No federal ban exists, but utility, zoning, tax and business rules apply. Here is what each covers and where to check.
Investing
How Is Bitcoin Taxed in the US? A General Guide
The IRS treats bitcoin as property. Learn what counts as a taxable event, what does not, how cost basis and holding period work, and which records to keep.
Investing
Can You Hold Bitcoin in a 401(k)?
Whether a 401(k) can hold bitcoin depends on your employer's plan. Learn the possible routes, how a rollover differs, the fees and risks, and what to ask.
Security
Bitcoin ATMs: How They Work, What They Cost and the Scams to Avoid
How a bitcoin ATM works, why the fees are usually higher than at an exchange, and the scam where a caller tells you to deposit cash. What to do if it happens.
Investing
Bitcoin ETFs: What They Are and What They Mean for Investors
What a spot Bitcoin ETF is, how it differs from owning Bitcoin, and how to compare funds by fees, custody and structure without ranking any.
Investing
Is Bitcoin Regulated in the US? A Plain-English Overview
Bitcoin is legal to own in the US, treated as property for tax, and touched by several agencies. Here is a plain overview of who does what.
Frequently asked questions about Regulation
Is Bitcoin legal in the US?
Yes, for ordinary individuals: you can buy, hold, sell and, where a merchant accepts it, spend bitcoin. It is not legal tender or backed by the government, and there is no single Bitcoin law, since agencies apply existing rules on tax, securities, commodities and financial crime. Rules change, so check current guidance. See Is Bitcoin Regulated in the US?.
How is Bitcoin taxed in the US?
The IRS treats bitcoin as property for federal tax purposes, so selling, trading or spending it can be a taxable event with a gain or loss. Buying with dollars and simply holding is not generally a taxable disposal. Keep records and check the IRS website or a tax professional for your situation. See Is Bitcoin Regulated in the US?.
Does the SEC or the CFTC regulate Bitcoin?
Both play a role, with different remits. The SEC regulates securities and oversees the spot Bitcoin ETFs, which are securities, while the bitcoin they hold has generally been treated as a commodity. The CFTC regulates derivatives such as futures and has treated bitcoin as a commodity. The boundaries are not fully settled and can shift. See the US regulation overview.
Is a Bitcoin ETF the same as owning bitcoin?
No. A spot Bitcoin ETF is a fund whose shares trade on a stock exchange and track the price of the bitcoin it holds, but you own shares, not coins. You cannot withdraw or spend them, and you depend on the fund's custodian. US spot funds began trading in January 2024. See Bitcoin ETFs: What They Are and What They Mean for Investors.
Why do crypto exchanges ask for identity verification?
Businesses that exchange or transmit crypto for customers are generally treated as money services businesses, which must register with FinCEN and follow anti-money-laundering rules, so they verify identity through know-your-customer checks. States often add licensing. Rules change, so confirm current requirements. See Is Bitcoin Regulated in the US?.