Crypto regulation in the U.S. is undergoing major changes as the IRS names longtime insider Trish Turner to lead its digital assets unit. The move comes after the surprise departure of two private-sector executives who were instrumental in shaping the agency’s crypto enforcement strategies.
Trish Turner, a seasoned IRS official with over two decades of experience, has been chosen to guide the agency’s crypto oversight efforts. Her appointment follows the exits of Sulolit “Raj” Mukherjee and Seth Wilks, both of whom played key roles in setting up the Office of Digital Assets. While the reasons for their exits weren’t made public, this shake-up signals a pivotal moment for U.S. crypto policy.
Turner’s leadership arrives at a time when the IRS is ramping up its cryptocurrency audits and pursuing more criminal cases involving digital assets. This increased scrutiny is underpinned by new crypto broker rules—recently introduced by the IRS—that have triggered criticism from industry advocates, who argue the regulations are overly broad and could stifle blockchain innovation.
Notably, Turner most recently served as a senior adviser within the IRS’s digital assets division, giving her rare insight into both traditional tax policy and emerging fields like DeFi and crypto staking. Her deep institutional knowledge could help the agency navigate turbulent regulatory waters, especially as digital asset investments become more mainstream.
Meanwhile, the broader context for crypto regulation is also shifting. Industry experts predict that a second Trump administration could bring a notably more crypto-friendly outlook. Policies may pivot to support blockchain startups and alternative coins, potentially softening the regulatory climate that has led to more than 23,000 IRS employees signaling their intent to depart following another offer of deferred resignation from leadership.
Trish Turner’s appointment is likely to have significant implications for crypto investors and tax professionals alike. As the IRS doubles down on transparency and tax compliance for digital currencies, stakeholders should keep a close eye on further policy evolutions.
For a deeper look at how government actions affect crypto traders, check out our guide to managing digital asset portfolios during regulatory uncertainty. To learn about potential legal challenges to IRS crypto actions, explore our article on “crypto taxation lawsuits and compliance strategies.”