What if you never convert them to dollars? I’ve heard they’re looked at like stocks.
That's fine... if I hold a stock for years and it triples in value nothing is owed by me (taxes) until I actually sell it and realize my gain. Bitcoins are no different than any other asset... stocks, art, real estate, etc... sell for a gain and you owe the taxes.
Just because people might be getting away with it for now doesn't mean it's some magical tax-free gift from the cyber-gods... the IRS will surly catch up and demand their pound of flesh.