Strive CEO Backs Ending Bitcoin Capital Gains Tax to Boost Adoption

Published: 2026-06-08 10:34:03 |

Strive Asset Management CEO Matt Cole backed efforts to end Bitcoin capital gains tax in the U.S., arguing it could encourage real-world payments instead of treating BTC only as an investment asset. Cole said Strive is actively engaging policymakers in Washington and is funding the work via the Bitcoin Policy Institute. The call comes as U.S. lawmakers prepare for a House Ways and Means Committee hearing on June 9 to review crypto tax rules. The committee’s seven discussion drafts cover stablecoins, staking rewards, mining income, and transaction reporting requirements, including possible simplification measures such as a potential de minimis exemption for smaller transactions. Strive’s policy push is also backed by its recent balance-sheet activity. The firm increased its Bitcoin treasury to 19,000 BTC after buying 2,500 BTC for about $185.2 million (average price ~$74,092 per BTC including fees/expenses). For traders, the key takeaway is that “Bitcoin capital gains tax” remains a political lever that could reduce friction for payments and widen long-term demand narratives—but any change is likely slow given the scale of the proposed fiscal and compliance overhaul.

Neutral

This is primarily a policy-support signal, not an implemented rule change. Even though Strive CEO Matt Cole explicitly backed ending Bitcoin capital gains tax, Cole also acknowledged timelines could be long. Similar episodes in crypto regulation show that markets often react to headlines (policy optionality) but then fade without concrete legislative text or enactment. Short-term: traders may see mild optimism around Bitcoin adoption narratives, especially ahead of the June 9 U.S. House Ways and Means Committee hearing. However, uncertainty remains high because the drafts cover multiple areas (stablecoins, staking, mining, reporting) and do not guarantee that Bitcoin capital gains tax will be removed. Long-term: if “Bitcoin capital gains tax” reform gains traction and results in clearer, lower-friction treatment for payments, it could support broader BTC utility demand and improve risk sentiment for payment-focused adoption themes. Until there is legislative progress, the likely market effect is limited to sentiment shifts rather than a durable repricing.