Everyone Hates Elizabeth Warren’s Crypto Regulation Bill – Futurism

In an attempt to kill two birds with one stone, Massachusetts U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren is trying to sanction Russia and regulate cryptocurrency at the same time. In doing so shes pissed off the cryptosphere at-large but also, surprisingly, non-crypto evangelists, too.

On its face, Sen. Warrens new Russia/cryptocurrency regulation bill represents an attempt to squeeze blockchain businesses that do business with both Russia and the US, essentially forcing them to choose between the two countries, and exerting economic pressure on Russia as it continues its invasion of Ukraine.

But as many, many critics have noted, theres some major issues with the proposed legislation.

Analysts at the DC-based Coin Center think tank wrote in a blog post that the bills key conceit suggesting Russian oligarchs could use crypto wallets to launder tons of money is implausible, given the public nature of blockchains, which record every transaction on open digital ledgers. Additionally, its broad language would criminalize a host of activities that are not, to the minds of the posts writers, criminal.

The bill would place sweeping restrictions on persons who build, operate, and use cryptocurrency networks even if they haveno knowledge or intent to help anyone evade sanctions, the blog posts authors, Jerry Brito and Peter Van Valkenburgh wrote, adding that the bill itself is unnecessary, overbroad, and unconstitutional.

On the other side of Capitol Hill, some Democrats have also taken issue with Warrens attempts to regulate the burgeoning industry as well.

The future of finance and the internet should not be left to a gerontocracy of regulators who appear to be on a personal crusade against crypto, Rep. Ritchie Torres, a freshman congressman representing New York City, told Politico in an interview about the bill. Congress, which has a new generation of legislators, should have the final word.

You should never define any technology by its worst uses, he added. Theres more to crypto than ransomware, just like theres more to money than money laundering.

Even some of Warrens own constituents, like Evan Greer of the Fight for the Future digital advocacy group, believe that the language of the bill makes its main message that crypto needs regulation an afterthought.

This is really disappointing, Greer wrote. She is right that the crypto industry deserves more scrutiny, but this bill is terribly written, blatantly opportunistic, & attacks a problem that doesnt exist.

Backlash to the bill has resulted in a campaign against it from crypto enthusiasts as well, resulting in calls for concerted political action from a crowd that generally doesnt do that type of thing. Some have even gone so far as to suggest that Americans who own crypto should consider leaving the country, which iscomically on-brand for reverent crypto obsessives.

Its rare that people from this many walks of life agree on anything, much less agree on the same points. It remains unclear whether Warrens bill will be passed, but if it does, crypto may look a lot different.

READ MORE: Crypto Advocates Say Elizabeth Warrens Sanctions Bill Is Unconstitutional [Vice]

More on the Russian crypto issue:Major Crypto Exchanges Say They Wont Shut Down Russian Transactions Unless Theyre Forced

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Everyone Hates Elizabeth Warren's Crypto Regulation Bill - Futurism