House Committee Advances Digital-Asset Tax Framework Amid Industry Push for Broader Relief

The US House Ways and Means Committee has advanced a digital-asset tax framework, marking a significant step forward for the crypto industry. The committee approved H.R. 10357, the Digital Asset Tax Certainty Act, by a vote of 38-5 on September 16.

Crypto groups have been pressing Congress to broaden tax relief after this historic win. However, lawmakers still need to address several priorities before final passage, including broader relief for everyday crypto transactions and changes to when staking and mining rewards become taxable.

The legislation would eliminate gain-or-loss recognition for digital assets used to pay qualifying network and transaction fees of no more than $10, beginning with dispositions after December 31, 2027. This addresses a narrow consequence of the Internal Revenue Service treating digital assets as property: spending crypto to cover a blockchain fee can itself create a taxable disposition.

Industry groups welcomed the vote but signaled that the legislation remains short of their priorities. Alison Mangiero, chief strategy officer and head of US policy at the Crypto Council for Innovation, called the committee vote a historic step but said lawmakers still have room to refine the timing of income recognition for staking and mining rewards.