Blockchain Association CEO unpacks market structure bill that could bring clarity for digital assets
Aug 29, 2023
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Kristin Smith, CEO of Blockchain Association, unpacks the potential impact of a market structure bill on digital assets. Topics covered include current state of crypto in DC, stablecoin legislation, XRP ruling, and anti-crypto congressional sentiment. The podcast also delves into the implications of a bill passing, regulatory framework, and the views of 2024 presidential candidates on cryptocurrency.
The pending market structure bill in Congress could bring clarity and a regulatory framework for institutional investors and companies entering the crypto space.
Stablecoin legislation is a key priority in Congress, aiming to provide federal regulation and address the role of state regulators.
Deep dives
Legislative Proposals and Dialogues on Capitol Hill
There has been a shift in focus on Capitol Hill away from the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) enforcement case against FTX. The attention has turned towards addressing regulatory concerns in the crypto space and enhancing the US's competitiveness. Legislative proposals have been introduced, including comprehensive legislation by the chairs of the House Financial Services and House Agriculture Committees. The industry has been working closely with Congress to suggest improvements to the legislation, and a vote on the bill is anticipated in the coming months.
Stablecoin Regulation and Legislation
Stablecoin regulation has emerged as a key priority for Congress. There is bipartisan agreement on most aspects of stablecoin regulation, focusing on issues such as reserves, disclosures, and uniform consumer protections. The legislation aims to provide a federal framework for stablecoin regulation, while addressing the role of state regulators. The recent influx of stablecoin initiatives, such as PayPal's, has added pressure on Congress and the White House to reach a consensus. While some details and discussions remain, it is expected that stablecoin legislation will be passed this Congress.
Market Structure and Regulatory Framework
A comprehensive market structure legislation is being developed to determine SEC and CFTC jurisdiction over digital assets and create compliance standards for exchanges. The legislation seeks to define digital assets as either restricted digital assets regulated by the SEC or digital commodities falling under the CFTC's jurisdiction. It also addresses insider trading concerns and clarifies the role of decentralized networks. The legislation is complex and subject to refinement, but its enactment could provide regulatory clarity and boost confidence for institutional investors and companies.
Policy Dynamics and Potential Impact from Treasury Department
The views of different agencies, such as the Treasury Department, the White House, and the SEC, play a role in shaping crypto policy. While Treasury's role is more focused on anti-money laundering and sanctions, there are concerns regarding potential expansion of its authority, especially related to self-hosted wallets. Legislative proposals from Congress suggest involvement of Treasury in monitoring crypto transactions. Industry efforts are focused on educating policymakers about the benefits of blockchains and their ability to assist in fighting illicit activities. The maturing industry and collaboration among professionals in the field are contributing to progress in policy discussions.
Kristin Smith is the CEO of Blockchain Association — one of the top crypto policy advocacy groups in the U.S.
In this episode, Smith unpacks the intricacies of the pending market structure bill set to make its way through Congress this fall, highlighting its potential to bring crypto regulatory clarity in the U.S. once and for all.
According to Smith, the bill could be what's needed to bring in greater institutional participation and mainstream adoption:
"It's something that we think that if it were to move forward, would give a lot of confidence to institutional investors, to traditional tech companies and other players to enter this space because they know there is a clear and workable regulatory framework in place."