IRS Appoints Turner as New Digital Assets Head Amid Crypto Focus

The US Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has appointed Trish Turner as the new head of its digital assets division. This move comes after the recent departures of Sulolit “Raj” Mukherjee and Seth Wilks, who both left their positions in May. Turner, a 20-year veteran of the IRS, previously served as a senior adviser at the agency’s Digital Assets Office. Her appointment is timely as the IRS intensifies its focus on cryptocurrency compliance and adapts to the shifting political landscape in Washington.

Mukherjee and Wilks, who were hired from the private sector to enhance the IRS’s crypto enforcement capabilities, resigned after approximately a year in their roles. Wilks, who was responsible for strategy and development, cited a challenging work environment and personal reasons for his departure. Mukherjee also resigned, but the specific reasons for his departure were not disclosed. Both individuals had been instrumental in the IRS’s efforts to increase oversight and enforcement in the cryptocurrency space.

The IRS has been ramping up its enforcement efforts in the crypto sector, conducting more audits and criminal investigations into crypto asset transactions. Previous attempts to expand broker reporting requirements to include crypto and decentralized finance (DeFi) exchanges were met with resistance and ultimately repealed under the Trump administration. One such rule, aimed at broadening reporting requirements to DeFi platforms by 2027, faced significant criticism for its potential impact on the sector.

Turner’s leadership comes at a time when the federal government is adopting a more lenient stance on digital asset regulation. The Trump administration has rolled back several initiatives that were seen as restrictive, including suspending SEC enforcement activities and disbanding the DOJ’s crypto unit. This shift in regulatory approach is expected to influence the IRS’s strategies and operations in the crypto space.

However, the IRS is also grappling with internal challenges. The delayed resignation policy implemented by the Trump administration has led to over 23,000 IRS employees expressing interest in leaving the agency. This mass exodus raises concerns about morale and operational continuity within the IRS. Turner’s appointment is seen as a stabilizing force for the agency’s crypto unit, which must navigate both regulatory changes and internal conflicts.