The Wyoming lawmaker is preparing legislation that would exempt small Bitcoin payments from taxation – a move that could redefine how Americans interact with cryptocurrency.
For years, the IRS has treated digital assets as property rather than currency. This classification means that even trivial Bitcoin purchases, like buying lunch or tipping a barista, create taxable events subject to capital gains reporting. Lummis wants to change that by creating a threshold where minor transactions would no longer trigger paperwork or taxes.
The proposal reflects her long-term ambition to normalize Bitcoin as a functioning currency instead of just a speculative store of value. Sources close to her office say she views this step as essential for expanding crypto adoption across the United States and removing one of the key barriers to its everyday use.
A Divided Response in the Crypto Industry
Reaction to the plan has been mixed. Bitcoin advocates have welcomed the effort, describing it as a “freedom bill” that would allow people to actually spend their coins. They argue that simplifying tax rules could make small‑scale Bitcoin use viable for the first time, especially as digital payments gain mainstream traction.
Others, however, have questioned why the measure centers solely on Bitcoin. Critics say a single‑asset approach risks alienating communities built around other payment‑focused cryptocurrencies like Litecoin, Dogecoin, and Dash. They insist that tax relief should apply broadly to all digital currencies used for small transactions, not just Bitcoin.
Despite those concerns, Lummis remains one of Washington’s most vocal crypto advocates. She has previously introduced the BITCOIN Act, which outlines the creation of a U.S. Strategic Bitcoin Reserve – a proposed national holding designed to strengthen the country’s position in the digital economy.
Strategic Bitcoin Reserve Funding May Start Early
In a recent statement, Lummis hinted that funding for the Strategic Bitcoin Reserve could begin sooner than expected. While Congress is still negotiating several bills related to digital asset regulation, she said the Treasury Department may already have the green light to start laying groundwork for the initiative.
Her comments ignited debate in Washington, with some lawmakers questioning whether such actions could proceed without formal approval. Nevertheless, Lummis suggested that support from President Donald Trump could accelerate the process even before legislation is finalized.
“The legal process is slow,” she admitted in an X post, “but with cooperation from the administration, we can begin preparing infrastructure and funding whenever needed.”
What It Could Mean for Bitcoin
Market observers believe that exempting small Bitcoin transactions from taxation could spark greater liquidity and encourage more organic use. Reduced tax friction might also attract retail investors who have avoided crypto payments due to complicated IRS rules.
Still, uncertainty remains. Regulatory agencies may resist loosening tax treatment without clear guidelines, and political debate around the Strategic Bitcoin Reserve could delay broader adoption. Yet for Lummis, the push to make Bitcoin spendable – and to embed it within national policy – seems more determined than ever.
If her plan succeeds, buying a coffee with Bitcoin could finally become as effortless as paying with a debit card – a shift that could mark a new chapter for U.S. crypto adoption.