In a landmark move for the cryptocurrency industry, President Donald J. Trump signed a resolution into law on Thursday, repealing the Internal Revenue Service’s (IRS) controversial “DeFi Crypto Broker Rule.”
This action marks the first time a U.S. president has signed a crypto-related bill, signaling a pivotal shift in the nation’s approach to digital assets. With strong bipartisan support in Congress, the repeal eliminates a Biden-era regulation that threatened decentralized finance (DeFi) platforms, paving the way for balanced crypto policy.
Finalized in the last days of President Joe Biden’s administration, the IRS’s DeFi Broker Rule was set to take effect in 2026. It mandated that DeFi platforms—automated, blockchain-based systems without traditional intermediaries—report user transaction data, mirroring requirements for conventional brokers.
Critics, including industry leaders, argued that DeFi’s decentralized nature made compliance unfeasible, risking innovation and user privacy.
The DeFi Broker Rule needlessly hindered American innovation, infringed on the privacy of everyday Americans, and was set to overwhelm the IRS with an overflow of new filings that it doesn’t have the infrastructure to handle during tax season.Mike Carey (R-Ohio)
The Congressional Budget Office estimates the repeal could lead to $4 billion in uncollected taxes over a decade, underscoring the balance between regulation and growth.
The resolution to overturn the rule passed both the House and Senate in March with significant bipartisan backing, a rare rebuke of Biden’s policies by some Democrats.
Leveraging the Congressional Review Act, which allows Congress to challenge recent regulations, lawmakers highlighted the crypto sector’s growing influence.
President Trump’s signature is a critical signal change for the crypto industry: the U.S. has embraced a sensible, forward-thinking approach to digital assets.Amanda Tuminelli, Executive Director of the DeFi Education Fund
The repeal also prevents the IRS from reissuing similar rules, securing a major win for the industry.
Once skeptical of digital assets, President Trump has embraced crypto, vowing to foster U.S. leadership in the sector. His administration, including crypto advisor David Sacks, criticized the IRS rule as an overreach that threatened progress.
Industry advocates celebrated the signing as a milestone, with Tuminelli’s comments reflecting optimism for a pro-crypto regulatory shift. With Congress exploring stablecoin regulations and a strategic Bitcoin reserve, Trump’s action sets the stage for a crypto-friendly framework, positioning the U.S. as a global leader in digital finance.