Coinbase Chief Coverage Officer Faryar Shirzad straight denied allegations that the corporate is lobbying in opposition to a proposed de minimis tax exemption for Bitcoin.
Responding on X to a submit by Bitcoin podcaster Marty Bent, Shirzad wrote: “It is a whole lie @MartyBent. Now we have by no means and can by no means foyer in opposition to Bitcoin. Ever.” Although a number of persons are asking for a public assertion from Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong on the matter. Jack Dorsey of Block particularly referred to as Armstrong out for clarification, saying “hope that is true for de minimis as properly. @brian_armstrong?”.
UPDATE 2: Bent claims to have three completely different sources on the rumor.
UPDATE: Armstrong responded with a denial of the rumor as properly. calling it “completely false”.
The denial comes after Bent reported on March 11 that Coinbase is allegedly telling lawmakers the exemption is pointless as a result of “Nobody is utilizing bitcoin as cash. A de-minimis exemption for bitcoin is a hand out that will probably be DOA.” Bent claimed the corporate is pushing for stablecoins-only therapy to advance its personal enterprise.
Bitcoin Coverage Institute Managing Director Conner Brown confirmed a associated growth the identical day. “I can verify that over the previous three months there’s been a powerful shift on the Hill to limiting the de minimis exemption to stablecoins solely,” Brown stated. “BPI continues to satisfy with lawmakers to elucidate what a strategic blunder this might be for the U.S.”
The de minimis tax exemption would remove capital-gains taxes and IRS reporting necessities on small Bitcoin transactions, fixing an extended standing friction for the adoption of bitcoin as foreign money. Beneath present regulation, Bitcoin is handled as property, so each spend — even shopping for espresso or paying a freelancer — creates a taxable occasion that requires monitoring price foundation and submitting paperwork. Laws backed by Sen. Cynthia Lummis (R-WY) would set a $300-per-transaction threshold with a $5,000 annual cap, aligning routine Bitcoin funds extra carefully with minor foreign-currency exchanges.
Supporters argue the change is important to take away tax friction that at the moment discourages on a regular basis use. With out it, compliance burdens make Bitcoin impractical for routine purchases and restrict its perform as a medium of trade.
Block Inc. has been essentially the most vocal company supporter. In November 2025 the corporate behind Money App and Sq. launched its “Bitcoin is On a regular basis Cash” marketing campaign, explicitly calling for the exemption whereas rolling out Lightning Community instruments that allow Sq. retailers settle for Bitcoin funds with zero charges by way of 2027.
Lightning Community information revealed by Bitcoin Journal straight undercuts claims that Bitcoin sees no use as cash. A February 19, 2026 article reported $1.17 billion in month-to-month quantity throughout 5.22 million transactions in November 2025, based on aggregated figures from River Monetary overlaying greater than 50% of community capability. Common transaction measurement rose to $223.
A June 18, 2025 Bitcoin Journal report confirmed the community had reached roughly 1.5 million customers and $1.5 billion in buying and selling quantity. Block’s personal Lightning node produced a 9.7% yield routing precise funds, whereas Money App dealt with one in 4 outbound Lightning transactions after 7x utilization development.
Block Bitcoin product lead Miles Suter summed up the corporate’s stance: “If Bitcoin simply turns into digital gold, we failed the mission. Bitcoin funds validate Bitcoin. They make it actual. Bitcoin is cash.”
The trade of claims highlights ongoing tensions between crypto centered platforms and firms constructing cost infrastructure for Bitcoin. With Lightning quantity persevering with to climb, advocates keep the exemption would speed up business adoption somewhat than present unearned reduction. Congress continues to be weighing the proposal inside broader digital-asset tax reform discussions.
