I'd contend that BTC remains quite private, but at least two of the exchanges that are big enough to deal in BTC are US based and the EXCHANGES were required to give up the information.
One of the beauties of the 'smaller' coins is that an exchange with a very limited assets can trade them, and in a more anonymous manner.
The thing that really irked me about the Coinbase deal was there was no warning. The IRS has a really ferocious hold on companies that are chartered in the US and Coinbase really had no choice in the matter.
One thing it did do was standardize the way Crypto profits are reported and taxed in the US. Now we know the rules of engagement.
Thanks for a great article, I have a lot to think about.
BTC is still very private but people with the right connections can track you mate. Don't think you've got complete anon freedom. Privacy is going to be a key point going forward and there are sure to be opportunities to invest if you follow the tech! I'm going to put my money where my mouth is and back some the best and brightest projects working on this.