
Miles Jennings has strongly criticized Illinois’ newly passed Digital Asset Privilege Tax Act, describing it as one of the most restrictive crypto laws in the United States.
The legislation introduces a 0.2 percent tax on activities involving digital assets, including exchanges, transfers, and custody. Critics argue that it provides no meaningful exemptions for routine actions such as self custody movements, effectively placing additional costs on everyday crypto users.
Growing Industry Opposition
Jennings noted that no other US state currently imposes a transaction based tax specifically on cryptocurrency, and comparable taxes do not exist for traditional financial instruments such as stocks, bonds, or derivatives. He argued that this effectively singles out digital assets, potentially conflicting with federal law.
His comments align with concerns raised by the Crypto Council for Innovation in a letter sent on June 16 to Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, urging him to veto the bill.
The group warned that the law could place disproportionate burdens on individuals simply for holding or using digital assets, potentially driving both users and businesses out of Illinois. It also criticized the legislative process, stating that key stakeholders were not given sufficient opportunity to provide input.
Jennings also argued that the timing of the bill was inconsistent with Illinois’ recent adoption of the Digital Asset and Consumer Protection Act, which he described as a more balanced and innovation friendly approach to blockchain technology.
He added that instead of supporting technological innovation and cost efficient blockchain solutions, the state risks discouraging entrepreneurs and crypto users through punitive taxation.
Tax Policy Becomes a Key National Debate
The Illinois legislation arrives as US lawmakers continue working toward a broader federal framework for digital asset taxation. The Crypto Council for Innovation argued that the state should have waited for national standards to be established, warning that early state level action could lead to a fragmented “patchwork” of inconsistent regulations across the country.
This concern echoes broader discussions in Washington. Earlier in the month, Lawrence Zlatkin testified before the House Ways and Means Committee, advocating for simplified federal rules. His proposals included treating regulated stablecoins as cash equivalents and introducing small transaction exemptions.
The committee hearing examined several proposed bills aimed at modernizing US tax rules for digital assets.
Jennings summarized the broader concern in a post on X, stating that when jurisdictions impose discriminatory, asset specific taxes that push builders and users elsewhere, the entire ecosystem ultimately suffers.#crypto#cryptonews https://coinsignals.net https://t.me/coinsignalpublic








