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Bill

Bill

AB 892

Relating to: digital asset staking and the state’s securities laws.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Gus Gustafson and 5 co-sponsors

Wisconsin bill exempts cryptocurrency staking from securities regulation, allowing participation without compliance requirements but removing investor protections typically applied to similar investments.

Failed to concur in pursuant to Senate Joint Resolution 1
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Bill Summary · AB 892

Legislative bill overview

AB 892 exempts digital asset staking activities from Wisconsin's securities laws, allowing individuals and entities to participate in cryptocurrency staking without triggering securities regulation. The bill carves out staking from the definition of investment contracts under state law, creating a regulatory safe harbor for this blockchain activity.

Why is this important

As cryptocurrency and blockchain technology become more prevalent, states are determining how existing financial regulations apply to new digital activities. This bill directly impacts whether Wisconsin residents can stake digital assets without compliance burdens, affecting both individual crypto participants and blockchain companies considering Wisconsin operations. It signals Wisconsin's position on crypto-friendly regulation relative to other states.

Potential points of contention

  • Investor protection concerns: Exempting staking from securities laws removes disclosure requirements and fraud protections that typically apply to investment activities, potentially leaving retail investors vulnerable to scams or poorly-managed staking platforms
  • Definitional ambiguity: "Digital asset staking" may be difficult to distinguish from other investment activities in practice, creating regulatory gaps and compliance uncertainty for platforms and regulators
  • Competitive regulatory arbitrage: The exemption could attract crypto operations to Wisconsin while other states maintain stricter oversight, raising questions about whether Wisconsin is creating a regulatory haven that undermines investor safeguards

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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