2017 was a banner year for cryptocurrency--an expansive bull market, exciting new coins, and an explosion of crypto-related services.
As cryptocurrencies finally reached the mainstream, regulators and governments have stepped up their oversight. While some nations banned (and rapidly un-banned) cryptocurrency marketplaces and services, the United States moved towards more stringent IRS enforcement by establishing a dedicated cryptocurrency team and forcing major exchanges like Coinbase to turn over user information on trades.
https://www.coindesk.com/irs-treat-crypto-new-asset-class/
