And the government really does not levy the tax because "they are evil them", but because the governed society has certain needs that can only be fulfilled by common effort and it would be good to minimize freeridership. Of course one can discuss whether certain governmental activities are needed or not, but to abandon all government wouldn't do any good.
It would be fine that the government shoots all US dollar holders in the foot by inflating their currency, the value of bitcoin relative to dollars would always increase, because the US Dollars would asymptotically approach zero value over time, as it has been. The bitcoin I worked hard to earn would retain their value. And the burglars would use their old fashioned tools to pilfer trillions from all Dollar holders, and will be forced to yet again shout: "darn" when they figure out they are only stealing from their left pocket to put into their right pocket. A waste of time.
Also known as taxable capital gains.
However, if he sells bitcoins in the future, he will be forced to pay capital gains taxes on the difference in price between when he received the bitcoins (and paid income tax then) and when he sells. If he sells at a loss, he can use his losses to offset his income tax.
This planet is in desperate need of a currency that can't be inflated by a select group of people not loyal to the interests of American Citizens. If a bitcoin ATM shows up nearby me, I would probably pay money just to help fund the cause.
Friction or error term + commons fee.
> Will the US dollar be allowed to be exposed as the always-inflating Monopoly Money
Probably more accurate to call it monetarist monopoly money vs crypto-anarchist monopoly money, though the monopoly is arguably redundant.
Does that mean when this takes off I can earn, exchange and sell units of future human labor without the friction of governments taking 25% to 35% of it?
We can assume the government will spare no expense in destroying bitcoin by fiat by making laws against it, and if that doesn't work, using economic hit-men, supporting jackals, or the old trusty domestic military action with soldiers from Georgia and Virginia to break down the door of anyone caught using it under the table.
The question is, how is this war going to unfold? Will the US dollar be allowed to be exposed as the always-inflating Monopoly Money it is, and slowly fade out over the next 20 years? So many possibilities.
If bitcoin can survive laws that make it illegal, taxes on it that make it less useful than USD, assassinations of key figures, the destruction of companies promoting it, and domestic military action, then bitcoin might have a shot at becoming the next world currency.
Otherwise, a combination of these things will erase it to a footnote in the history books. But you can be darn certain that the government is going to levy their tax on the income of bitcoins. In the interests of the sovreign, to promote "fairness".