Treasury Department


Policy

Trump's Treasury Secretary Bessent Approved, Likely Tackling Taxes Before Crypto

The new Treasury Department chief didn't bring up crypto policy at his nomination hearing, but he'll have enormous reach into topics vital to the industry.

Trump Treasury pick Scott Bessent

Policy

Trump Treasury Pick Bessent Opposes Idea of U.S. Central Bank Digital Currency

Scott Bessent, who is immersed in the Senate confirmation process as President-elect Donald Trump's Treasury secretary nominee, only addressed crypto briefly.

Billionaire hedge fund manager Scott Bessent

Policy

Brian Nelson: Leading the Charge Against Tornado Cash

As a U.S. Treasury official, Nelson went after the asset mixing service in a consequential case for the crypto sector that came to a head in 2024.

(Pudgy Penguins)

Policy

Tornado Cash Sanctions Overturned by U.S. Appeals Court; TORN Soars Over 500%

The decision answers the controversial debate over whether the crypto-mixing service, which anonymizes transactions, can be banned for its use by criminals.

A 2022 protest demonstrates the long fight over Tornado Cash, including the arrest of developer Alexey Pertsev. (Jack Schickler/CoinDesk)

Policy

Crypto Gains Let Poor People Buy Houses, U.S. Research Finds, But Risks May Lurk

The Treasury Department's research arm was looking for dangers in crypto households amping up their debt, but they found people buying houses with few problems.

Rooftops of homes

Policy

Plan a Crypto Mine Near a U.S. Military Base? Expect a Bigger Hassle Now.

The U.S. Treasury Department issued a rule promising extra scrutiny for businesses near military sites, having already targeted a Chinese-backed crypto operation by a Wyoming missile base.

Chinese-owned MineOne is said to have built a crypto mining operation within a mile of a U.S. missile base. (Warren Air Force Base)

Policy

U.S. Treasury Advisory Panel Says Tokenization Could Be Big, But May Need Central Control

The outside group of Wall Street leaders that guides the Treasury's debt management, the Treasury Borrowing Advisory Committee, shared views on tokenized debt and warned about Tether.

The U.S. is weighing crypto tax rules, and a hearing today will hear from industry representatives worried about the government going too far. (Jesse Hamilton/CoinDesk.)

Policy

Crypto Ghosted in U.S. Treasury Department's New Strategy on Financial Inclusion

The report touts strategies to connect people with financial tools, but the only mention of crypto refers to its risks – a contrast to Kamala Harris' positive tone on the campaign trail.

The U.S. Treasury Department's financial crimes arm reported on the use of bitcoin in human trafficking and other global crimes. (Jesse Hamilton/CoinDesk)

Policy

U.S. Senators Question Justice Department's Pursuit of Crypto Mixers

Senators from both parties, Cynthia Lummis and Ron Wyden, questioned the use of money-transmitter laws in cases such as those against Samouri Wallet and Tornado Cash.

Two U.S. senators wrote to Attorney General Merrick Garland to complain about the prosecution of crypto mixers. (Jesse Hamilton/CoinDesk)

Policy

U.S. SEC Asking for More Millions, Dozens of Lawyers to Beef Up Crypto Oversight

The securities regulator, Treasury Department and U.S. derivatives watchdog are all hoping to get more funding to deal with new duties policing the digital assets sector.

SEC Chair Gary Gensler in Washington on Oct. 25, 2023 (Jesse Hamilton/CoinDesk)