IRS changes leadership of cryptocurrency unit amid Trump administration’s pro-Bitcoin policy

• IRS changes leadership in cryptocurrency unit
• Trump administration revokes cryptocurrency tax rule
• Trish Turner takes the helm with a balanced regulatory focus

The Digital Assets Unit of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), the agency responsible for overseeing the taxation of cryptocurrencies in the United States, passed on recently underwent a major restructuring. Trish Turner, a veteran of the agency with more than 20 years of experience, took over the leadership of the division after the departure of two executives from the private sector.

Turner had been serving as a senior advisor to the unit prior to her appointment. She replaces Sulolit “Raj” Mukherjee and Seth Wilks, who jointly led the Office of Digital Assets. Mukherjee had been serving as executive director of compliance and implementation, while Wilks was responsible for strategy and policy development related to cryptocurrencies. Both served in the role for just over a year and have publicly confirmed their respective departures through separate channels.

The change in leadership comes as the U.S. government moves toward a more open policy toward cryptocurrencies. The current administration, under Donald Trump’s second term, has signaled more direct support for the sector. In January, the president signed an executive order to form a working group focused exclusively on the cryptocurrency market, with the mission of suggesting new regulatory guidelines and evaluating the creation of a national reserve of digital assets.

Furthermore, in April, Trump repealed a tax rule applied to cryptocurrencies that had been approved at the end of the Biden administration. These actions signal a possible relaxation of tax policies related to the sector, which could have direct impacts on the IRS's performance and its oversight criteria.

With Turner’s arrival and recent policy moves, the IRS is likely to adopt a stance that balances tax compliance with encouraging innovation in the cryptocurrency ecosystem. The agency is expected to refine its approach to ensure legal certainty without stifling the industry’s growth.