Trump’s working group releases landmark crypto regulation report, aiming to establish U.S. dominance in digital assets. Tax, DeFi, stablecoins & banking included.

In a sweeping and unprecedented move, President Donald Trump’s Working Group on Digital Asset Markets has unveiled a landmark 160-page report that outlines a comprehensive strategy to regulate, support, and dominate the global cryptocurrency landscape.

The release of this long-anticipated crypto regulation framework marks a critical pivot from skepticism to full-scale adoption by the U.S. federal government.

It provides a roadmap to position the United States as the undisputed global leader in digital assets, through regulatory clarity, stablecoin legislation, banking modernization, and pro-innovation tax reform.

A New Taxonomy for Crypto Assets

At the heart of the report is a call to define the “taxonomy” of digital assets, differentiating between securities and commodities, a foundational step in streamlining crypto regulation.

1. The CFTC will have jurisdiction over non-security (commodity) tokens and spot markets.

2. The SEC will continue overseeing security tokens and enforce related compliance.

The report encourages joint action between the SEC and CFTC, urging them to provide immediate clarity to market participants on key issues including registration, custody, and trading.

“A rational regulatory framework for digital assets is the best way to catalyze American innovation,” wrote SEC Chair Paul Atkins in response to the report.

Banking Gets a Crypto-Friendly Makeover

The Trump administration signals the end of Operation Choke Point 2.0, advocating for a pro-crypto banking environment. The working group recommends:

1. Allowing banks to offer crypto custody services.

2. Simplifying the bank charter process for digital asset institutions.

3. Adjusting capital requirements based on actual blockchain-related risk, not perception.

This regulatory clarity could unlock a wave of institutional adoption, enabling depository institutions to meet growing consumer demand for crypto services.

Stablecoins as a Tool for U.S. Dollar Dominance

Stablecoins received significant attention in the report as tools to modernize payments infrastructure and preserve the dollar’s global dominance.

Following the July 18 signing of the GENIUS Act, the U.S. now has a first-ever federal regulatory framework for stablecoins. Key highlights:

1. Stablecoin issuers can coordinate with law enforcement to freeze illicit transactions.

2. The Treasury must implement the GENIUS Act swiftly.

3. The report calls for the passage of the Anti-CBDC Surveillance State Act, formally banning the development of a Central Bank Digital Currency in the U.S.

By embracing stablecoins and rejecting CBDCs, the Trump administration aims to protect privacy, enhance liberty, and sideline surveillance finance.

Reforming Digital Asset Taxation

Crypto taxation remains one of the most complex barriers for investors. The report proposes a new tax classification for digital assets:

1. Legislation should treat crypto as a distinct asset class, subject to tailored tax rules.

2. Recommend changes for staking, mining, CAMT, and de minimis digital receipts.

3. Expand wash sale rules to include digital assets.

These changes aim to reduce compliance burdens and streamline tax reporting, a long-standing headache for both retail and institutional crypto participants.

Combating Illicit Finance in DeFi

Recognizing concerns about criminal activity in decentralized networks, the working group suggests:

1. Clarifying Bank Secrecy Act (BSA) obligations for DeFi actors.

2. Encouraging regulators to protect self-custody rights.

3. Ensuring that AML enforcement does not infringe on privacy or legitimate use cases.

This balanced approach attempts to safeguard innovation while addressing security threats, positioning the U.S. as both a safe and open market.

Criticism and Controversy

While the report has been widely praised within the crypto industry, CoinShares’ James Butterfill called it “an unusually strong endorsement of digital assets”, critics argue it could open doors to conflicts of interest.

President Trump and his family are deeply involved in crypto ventures, from meme coins and stablecoins to mining operations and BTC reserves. Watchdogs claim this crossover between personal gain and public policy could damage trust.

“Today’s self-aggrandizing report is little more than an industry wishlist masked as government policy,” said Tony Carrk of Accountable.US.

The White House, however, asserts that Trump’s crypto assets are held in a trust, inaccessible to the president directly.

America’s Golden Age of Crypto?

The release of this report aligns with Executive Order 14178, signed earlier this year, which mandates American leadership in digital financial technology.

From DeFi integration to anti-CBDC legislation and stablecoin standardization, the working group believes these recommendations, if implemented, could “usher in the Golden Age of Crypto.”

The stakes are high. With countries like China and the EU moving aggressively toward state-backed CBDCs, America’s decision to take a private-sector-first approach could prove to be a defining moment in the future of global finance.

Conclusion

President Trump’s bold crypto strategy marks a turning point for the industry, offering the kind of regulatory clarity that has long eluded innovators and investors alike. 

Whether this plan will be successfully enacted depends on bipartisan legislative support, effective regulatory coordination, and the delicate balancing of privacy, freedom, and financial integrity.