Trump signs bill revoking controversial IRS DeFi broker rule into law

President Donald Trump has officially signed into law a resolution repealing the IRS DeFi Broker Rule established by the Biden administration. 

According to an Apr. 10 press release statement from Rep. Mike Carey (R-Ohio), who introduced the bill alongside Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), the president’s signing of the bill marks a major legislative win for the crypto industry and its advocates in Congress. 

The bill repeals an IRS DeFi broker rule finalized at the end of 2024 that expanded the definition of “broker” to include decentralized finance platforms and other non-custodial digital asset services. The rule would have required DeFi platforms, wallet providers, and front-end protocol interfaces to collect user information and report crypto transaction data using Form 1099.

“This is the first cryptocurrency bill ever signed into law and the first tax-related Congressional Review Act of Disapproval signed into law,” Rep. Carey said in a statement. He added that the rule “needlessly hindered American innovation” and would have overwhelmed the IRS with compliance demands it is unequipped to handle.

“By repealing this misguided rule, President Trump and Congress have given the IRS an opportunity to return its focus to the duties and obligations it already owes to American taxpayers instead of creating a new series of bureaucratic hurdles.”

— Mike Carey, Ohio Congressman

Sen. Cruz reiterated Rep. Carey’s position on the IRS DeFi rule repeal, calling it a win for crypto innovation and privacy. He added that the U.S. must not surrender digital leadership to China, praising Trump for signing the repeal into law.

“This rule would have undermined American leadership on cryptocurrency and I am grateful to President Trump for signing my resolution into law. The resolution is a victory for innovation, privacy, and economic freedom. We are protecting the developers who are building the future of cryptocurrency, making clear that the United States will not cede digital leadership to China, and preserving the ability of Americans to conduct transactions without government interference.”

— Ted Cruz, Texas Senator

The resolution, known as H.J.Res.25, passed the Senate on Mar. 4, 2025, and the House on Mar. 11. Due to its budget-related implications, the bill required a final Senate vote, which occurred on Mar. 26, before being sent to the president’s desk. Trump’s signature ensures the rule “shall have no force or effect,” and prevents the IRS from issuing a similar rule without explicit Congressional approval under the CRA. 

The White House had already voiced support for the resolution, calling the rule a “midnight regulation” introduced during the final days of the Biden administration. The signing comes amid a wider regulatory shift in Washington. In recent months, the Securities and Exchange Commission under acting chair Mark Uyeda dropped lawsuits against firms like Coinbase, Gemini, and Kraken. 

On Apr. 8, the Department of Justice also disbanded its National Cryptocurrency Enforcement Team, citing strategic missteps. In another major development, Paul Atkins, a long-time SEC commissioner and crypto advocate, is set to officially take office as the new SEC chair after Senate confirmation.

With Atkins in office, industry insiders expect the agency to shift focus away from enforcement towards a more supportive environment for crypto innovation.