The IRS treats bitcoin and other cryptocurrency transactions as property and not as currency. As such, you must figure gain on the transaction in the same way as with any other type of property. The IRS posted guidance (https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-drop/n-14-21.pdf) on this matter several years ago, but may revisit the topic, so stay alert.
The length of time that an asset is owned and that generally determines long- or short-term capital gain treatment.