Organizations Rejoin Fight Against Illinois Crypto Tax After 6-Month Hiatus

Illinois Officials Had Agreed to Delay Implementation of the 0.2% Tax on Crypto Assets, but Industry-Aligned Organizations Are Pressing for Summary Judgment on the Merits.

Illinois officials previously agreed to delay implementation of a 0.2 percent tax on crypto assets, but industry-aligned organizations are pushing for summary judgment on the merits.

The Crypto Council for Innovation (CCI) and the Blockchain Association (BA) have announced that they are joining the Digital Chamber and others in pressing a court to consider the merits of a lawsuit over Illinois' digital asset tax set to take effect in 2027.

In a filing Tuesday in Sangamon County District Court, cryptocurrency advocacy organizations asked the court to approve an expedited summary judgment program "to decide the legality of the tax as quickly as possible." The filing refers to a lawsuit filed by CCI and BA against Illinois state officials, as well as a lawsuit filed separately by the Digital Chamber and the Illinois Blockchain Association.

"While the moratorium on enforcement of the digital asset tax law protects Illinois consumers and businesses from this burdensome and flawed tax until July 1, it is still imperative that the merits be determined as soon as possible," said CCI CEO Jay Kim.

Earlier this month, Illinois officials agreed to delay implementation of the 0.2 percent crypto tax law for six months, from January 1 to July 1, 2027. The decision, part of a lawsuit filed by the Digital Chamber, was made in response to allegations that the digital asset tax was "crammed into the state budget" without public debate or feedback. Digital Chamber CEO Cody Carbone said at the time that the organization would continue to pursue legal action "until this tax is permanently eliminated."

The accelerated schedule, subject to court approval, could allow a decision on the substance of the law by March.

On Friday, Samer Mersinger is set to step down as CEO of the Blockchain Association as part of a leadership transition. Mersinger joined the advocacy group last year after resigning from the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission.

The organization's former CEO, Christian Smith, will step in as interim chief, although Mersinger is expected to stay on until the end of 2026.