Yes, Coinbase Earn rewards are considered taxable income by many tax authorities, including the IRS in the U.S. Even though your spouse hasn’t sold the crypto yet, the value of the tokens received at the time they were earned is typically treated as ordinary income and should be reported as such on your tax return.
The key point is: earning crypto—even if it's through educational activities—is treated like receiving payment in crypto. So it should be declared for the year it was received, based on the fair market value at that time.
Later on, if your spouse sells the crypto, there may also be capital gains or losses, depending on the price change since the time it was earned.
It's always a good idea to consult a tax advisor, especially since crypto tax rules can vary by country and get updated frequently.
