US Democrats Challenge Crypto Bill, Signal Potential Consensus On Stablecoin Rules

In a significant development in the US crypto landscape, senior Democrats in the House of Representatives have voiced their opposition to a comprehensive overhaul of financial laws pertaining to crypto assets. However, they have also indicated that a deal on the regulation of stablecoins could be within reach.

The Proposed Bill Failed To Meet Expectations 

The crypto industry has been waiting with bated breath for a clear regulatory framework, especially as digital currencies continue to gain traction among mainstream investors and businesses. 

However, the proposed bill, which aims to redefine how crypto assets are treated under financial laws, has met with resistance today from several Democrats on the committee considering the legislation. They argue that the bill is too lenient towards the crypto industry, potentially opening the door for financial instability and fraud.

Rep. Maxine Waters, the leading Democrat on the House Financial Services Committee, participated in the bill’s discussion on Wednesday. She said:

“I am disappointed that Republicans have made the decision to move forward with a massive market structure bill to rewrite our nation’s investor protection acts.”

Rep. Maxine Waters and Committee Chair Patrick McHenry are hopeful for a stablecoin legislation agreement. However, Democratic opposition and President Biden’s potential reluctance to sign a bill his party opposes complicates the market bill’s path to law. 

Waters advocates for more input from SEC Chair Gary Gensler, while House Republicans seek more engagement from him. The bill also faces resistance due to concerns related to Sam Bankman-Fried’s push for more CFTC crypto regulation and the FTX collapse.

A Crucial Week For The US Crypto Law 

House Republicans proposed an additional $120 million for the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) in a bid to secure more Democratic support for the crypto market bill. This funding, aimed at enhancing oversight of digital asset spot markets like Bitcoin, is redirected from the SEC, a move some Democrats oppose. 

McHenry suggested increasing the funding to $150 million over three years to facilitate the bill’s passage. The bill could shift more digital asset market responsibility to the CFTC, providing clearer guidelines for when a network token transitions from being treated as a security to a commodity.

McHenry said, “As other jurisdictions like the UK, the [European Union], Singapore and Australia have moved forward with clear regulatory frameworks for digital assets, the United States is at risk of falling behind. We intend to change that today.”

As the debate continues, the crypto industry, investors, and observers will be watching closely this week. The decisions made now will shape the future of crypto laws and its market in the US, influencing not only the domestic market but also the global crypto landscape.