Pierre Rochard Points to Tax Rules as Bitcoin’s Biggest Payment Hurdle

TLDR

Bitcoin is taxed as property, triggering capital gains tax on each transaction.
The U.S. lacks a de minimis exemption for small Bitcoin purchases.
Bitcoin payments grow faster in low-tax countries, says Strive’s Rochard.
Lawmakers proposed a $300 exemption cap for Bitcoin transactions in 2025.

A top executive at Bitcoin financial firm Strive says that tax policy, not technology, is the main reason Bitcoin hasn’t become a daily payment method. Pierre Rochard, a board member at Strive, explained that tax burdens discourage people from using Bitcoin for regular transactions.

Bitcoin Usage Blocked by Tax Classification

Pierre Rochard, a board member of Strive, stated that Bitcoin’s main barrier to everyday use is not technical. He said that while technologies such as the Lightning Network help with transaction speed and cost, tax rules are the real issue.

In the United States, Bitcoin is considered property. This means every time someone uses BTC to pay for goods or services, it may trigger capital gains tax. Consumers must report the transaction and calculate whether they made a profit, which adds complexity.

Rochard used a sports analogy to explain his point. “The best athlete can win against the worst athlete 100% of the time, if the best athlete plays,” he wrote. “It drops to 0% if he doesn’t play and lets the weak athlete win. You have to play to win. Get in the arena.”

Growth Stronger in Low-Tax Regions

Bitcoin usage as a form of payment is growing faster in countries with lower tax pressure, according to Rochard. He responded to a user on X who argued that even in tax-free countries, Bitcoin adoption is slow. Rochard disagreed and pointed to data showing higher payment volumes in low-tax regions.

Other users on social media agreed with his stance. Some said they would use Bitcoin more often if there were no tax consequences. A commenter said, “Tax-free nations don’t fear Bitcoin,” in support of Rochard’s claim. Many others thanked him for shifting the conversation away from scaling and toward tax reform.

Lawmakers Explore Tax Exemptions for Small Transactions

In July 2025, Senator Cynthia Lummis of Wyoming proposed a bill to allow a de minimis tax exemption for small digital payments. It would allow up to $300 per transaction to be tax-free, with a $5,000 annual cap.

The bill also included provisions to delay taxation on crypto earnings from mining and staking until they are sold. It also proposed exempting crypto donations to charity. Supporters say this approach would remove the biggest hurdle for daily Bitcoin use.

Meanwhile, Rhode Island introduced a bill that would allow up to $20,000 per year in Bitcoin transactions without state tax. The law would cover both consumers and businesses. If passed, it would be reviewed after one year to measure the economic effect.

Industry Voices Push Back on Stablecoin Tax Exemptions

Bitcoin supporters have criticized recent proposals that would limit tax exemptions to stablecoins. The U.S. Treasury is considering allowing only overcollateralized dollar-backed stablecoins to benefit from such rules. This approach has met resistance.

Jack Dorsey, founder of payments firm Square, has also called for tax exemptions for small BTC payments. He said, “We want BTC to be everyday money ASAP.” Marty Bent, co-founder of Truth for the Commoner, dismissed stablecoin-focused tax breaks as “nonsensical.” He and others argue Bitcoin should be part of the exemption conversation.

In December 2025, the Bitcoin Policy Institute said that taxing small BTC payments makes it harder for Bitcoin to function as a currency. The group has urged Congress to reconsider its current tax structure.

The post Pierre Rochard Points to Tax Rules as Bitcoin’s Biggest Payment Hurdle appeared first on CoinCentral.

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