Crypto’s Dirty Secret: It’s Not the Tech, It’s the Tax Code with Janna Scott

That Tech Pod

This week on the pod, Laura and Kevin sit down with Janna Scott, founder of DeFi Tax, to unpack one of crypto’s most confusing and controversial topics: taxes. Janna shares how she went from frustrated accountant to tech founder after realizing how broken the crypto tax ecosystem was. She explains why the IRS treats digital assets differently than stocks, how compliance rules can border on entrapment, and what it will take for fairer regulation to emerge.
We talk about the darker side of crypto: market manipulation, whales, and whether regulation is actually working or just pushing bad behavior further underground. Through it all, Janna brings a mix of technical insight and practical insight, reminding us that the hardest part of crypto isn’t the technology, it’s the system built around it. Between murky IRS rules and hidden market forces, it’s easy to understand why so many investors feel lost or opt out. But as Janna makes clear, accountability isn't out of reach. You just have to do the math.

Janna Scott is the founder of DeFi Tax, a platform bringing clarity and compliance to cryptocurrency tax reporting. Her journey began in 2021 after her accounting clients raised concerns about unreliable crypto tax tools. Over the next two years, Janna collaborated with the SEC, IRS, and top universities to identify and fix major compliance gaps. Her work set new standards in the field and earned recognition from regulators and academics. Today, DeFi Tax is known for its audit-ready reports, direct blockchain integration, and user-focused design. Janna’s mission is to help individuals and businesses navigate crypto taxes with confidence and transparency.