3 ms·

I would assume it would be treated like a company spin-off. https://www.investopedia.com/ask/answers/052115/why-are-some-spinoffs-taxable-and-some-are-taxfree.

• modeless 9y ago
  That assumption is reasonable but unfortunately wrong. The laws around spinoffs are specifically written to apply only to securities (stock in a company) and cryptocurrencies are not securities.
  • gwillen 9y ago
    I don't know who's downvoting this, but this is exactly what my high-paid CPAs told me. I'm hoping the IRS gives guidance, and I'm extra-hoping that they give sane guidance, but the law simply doesn't appear to allow for treating coin splits like stock splits.