Coinbase and Armstrong deny opposing Bitcoin de minimis tax break as lawmakers favor stablecoin-only relief

Coinbase and CEO Brian Armstrong have publicly denied allegations that the company lobbied against a proposed de minimis tax exemption for Bitcoin, calling the claims “totally false” and rejecting suggestions their lobbyists sought to block the measure. Coinbase executives reiterated the denial to reporters as the dispute drew attention from Bitcoin advocates and tax policy observers ^{[1] [2] [3]}.

The matter arises amid congressional attention on tax relief for USD-pegged stablecoins, with some lawmakers focusing on stablecoins rather than other cryptocurrencies; policy groups such as the Bitcoin Policy Institute are urging Congress to broaden the proposed de minimis relief to include Bitcoin and other digital assets. Reporting shows the debate has involved advocacy groups, tax lawyers and crypto lobbyists as stakeholders press competing views on which tokens should qualify for simpler tax treatment ^{[3] [4] [2]}.

At present, Coinbase’s denials stand and policy discussions continue in Washington; stakeholders including industry players and policy groups are pressing divergent positions on whether the proposed tax exemption should extend beyond stablecoins to include Bitcoin ^{[1] [4]}.