Weekly Crypto Regulation Roundup: Oversight Pressure, Tax Shockwaves and Legal Resets

Group 1: Regulatory Environment - U.S. crypto regulation is facing increased political scrutiny, with lawmakers and regulators shaping a volatile landscape for digital asset firms and investors [1] - Representative Maxine Waters is pressuring the SEC to hold an oversight hearing regarding its decision to drop several major crypto enforcement cases, which she describes as unprecedented [2][3] - The perceived rollback of crypto enforcement is becoming a significant issue in Washington, indicating that congressional oversight is back on the agenda [3] Group 2: State-Level Tax Implications - A proposed California ballot initiative, the 2026 Billionaire Tax Act, could impose a one-time 5% tax on net wealth exceeding $1 billion, including unrealized gains, raising concerns among crypto and tech leaders [4] - Industry leaders warn that this tax could lead to an exodus of high-net-worth individuals from California, disrupting startups and investment flows [5] - Critics argue that taxing unrealized gains could undermine the financial structure of private companies, potentially reshaping the geographic distribution of crypto capital in the U.S. [5] Group 3: Company-Specific Issues - Nasdaq-listed crypto firm ALT5 Sigma is under regulatory scrutiny due to its newly appointed auditor being barred from performing audits because of an expired license [6] - The firm replaced its previous auditor after failing to file third-quarter results on time, raising concerns about its financial reporting practices [6]