Pennsylvania Proposes Crypto Ban for Lawmakers with Divestment, Transaction Caps and Penalties

Pennsylvania Democratic Rep. Ben Waxman has introduced House Bill 1812, a crypto ban targeting public officials and their families. The bill requires divestment of all cryptocurrency holdings within 90 days and bars ownership, trading or promotion of crypto assets exceeding $1,000 during tenure and for one year after. Violators face fines up to $50,000 and prison terms up to five years. Waxman cites President Trump’s memecoin ’Official Trump (TRUMP)’ profits and alleged regulatory rollbacks as examples of conflicts of interest. HB1812 mirrors federal proposals like the Stop TRUMP in Crypto Act and underscores a broader trend of tightening crypto regulation. As the bill moves to committee review, traders should watch state-level crypto ban developments for potential effects on market sentiment and compliance costs.
Neutral
This state-level crypto ban specifically targets public officials and does not restrict general market activity, so its direct impact on token prices is limited. However, it signals mounting regulatory scrutiny that could weigh on broader market sentiment and compliance costs. In the short term, traders may see minimal price movement, but long-term uncertainty over regulatory trends may introduce cautious positioning.