---
type: country
domain: web3-compliance
status: compiled
tags: [Legal, Crypto Tax, Crypto Regulation, Country]
aliases: [United States]
created: 2026-04-24
compile_into: ""
slug: country--united-states
sources: "[./crypto-map/data.json#/US, \"https://soken.io/crypto-map/countries/united-states.html\"]"
source_url: "https://soken.io/crypto-map/countries/united-states.html"
title: "United States (US)  Crypto Regulation | Soken"
description: The United States maintains a clear regulatory framework for cryptocurrencies primarily under Federal Securities Laws, with active SEC involvement in rulemaking and enforcement to protect investors and ensure market fairness.
scraped_at: "2026-04-24T09:10:02.170365+00:00"
entry_type_raw: country
region: north_america
---

# United States (US)  Crypto Regulation | Soken

# 🇺🇸 United States (US) — Crypto Regulation

> The United States maintains a clear regulatory framework for cryptocurrencies primarily under Federal Securities Laws, with active SEC involvement in rulemaking and enforcement to protect investors and ensure market fairness.

## Overview

| Field | Value |
|-------|-------|
| Status | Legal |
| Risk Score | 45/100 (Moderate Risk) |
| Region | north america |
| Currency | USD |
| Adoption Rank | #4 |

## Tax

| Type | Rate |
|------|------|
| Capital Gains (Personal) | Varies by income bracket, up to 37% federal capital gains tax |
| Capital Gains (Corporate) | 21% federal corporate tax rate applies to crypto gains |
| VAT on Crypto | No |
| Mining Tax | Mining income taxed as ordinary income |
| Staking Tax | Taxed as ordinary income upon receipt |
| Airdrop Tax | Taxed as ordinary income upon receipt |

Crypto is taxed under existing income and capital gains tax rules, with no VAT applied to crypto transactions.

## Licensing

| Field | Value |
|-------|-------|
| Required | Yes |
| Regulator | SEC / CFTC / FinCEN / State Regulators |
| Framework | Federal Securities Laws |
| Ease | hard |
| Cost | $100,000 - $10,000,000+ |
| Timeline | 6-36 months |

Licensing is complex and involves multiple federal and state regulators, including SEC and FinCEN.

## AML / KYC

| Field | Value |
|-------|-------|
| KYC Required | Yes |
| Travel Rule | Yes |
| FATF Member | Yes |
| FATF Status | compliant |

## DeFi

**Status:** regulated

DeFi platforms are subject to existing securities and money transmission laws; regulatory scrutiny is increasing.

## Stablecoins

**Status:** regulated

Stablecoins are regulated under existing securities and money transmission laws, with ongoing SEC and Treasury oversight.

## NFTs

**Status:** Unclear

The SEC has indicated that some NFTs, particularly fractionalized NFTs and NFTs sold with expectations of profit, may be securities. No NFT-specific regulation exists. Enforcement has been case-by-case.

## Mining

| Field | Value |
|-------|-------|
| Legal | Yes |
| Electricity Cost | $0.084/kWh |
| Renewable Energy | 23% |
| Climate | mixed |
| Infrastructure | excellent |

Mining is legal and supported by robust infrastructure, though energy costs vary regionally.

## Geopolitics

| Field | Value |
|-------|-------|
| Stability | stable |
| Sanctions | No |
| Corruption Index | 67/100 |
| Ease of Business | easy |
| Internet Freedom | free |
| Banking Access | open |
| Sanctions Programs Active | Yes |

### Recent Political Events

- 2026-04-21: SEC Chairman Paul Atkins keynote remarks at The Economic Club of Washington — Reinforces SEC's commitment to investor protection and regulatory clarity in crypto markets

## Enforcement

The SEC and CFTC have brought numerous enforcement actions against crypto exchanges, DeFi protocols, and token issuers. Major cases in 2024-2025 included actions against several top-10 exchanges. DOJ has pursued criminal cases for fraud and sanctions evasion.

## CBDC Status: exploring

---

*Data source: [Soken Crypto Legal Map](https://soken.io/crypto-map/). Last reviewed: 2026-04-24.*

**Sources:**
- [Securities and Exchange Commission](https://www.sec.gov)
- [CFTC](https://www.cftc.gov)
- [FinCEN](https://www.fincen.gov)
- [US Congress Legislation Tracker](https://www.congress.gov)


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