Stablecoins are being used by entities like Hamas and Russian smugglers as a means to evade sanctions by transacting on decentralized blockchains without going through traditional banking channels. The issue lies in the off-ramp conversion where perpetrators can avoid detection if transactions are not converted back to fiat currency through compliant platforms or banks. The growing crypto universe poses a risk as not all jurisdictions enforce anti-money laundering laws effectively. Establishing a regulatory framework is crucial to prevent illicit activities and ensure compliance within the stablecoin ecosystem.
Are stablecoins a threat to national security? How should the US government step in?
We brought Timothy Massad, the perfect guest to help us answer these hard questions. He was the Obama appointed chair for the CFTC, the guy who helped designate Bitcoin as a commodity over 10 years ago.
We touch on:
- The importance of stablecoins.
- How stablecoins compare to eurodollars.
- Weather crypto and sanctions can co-exist.
- A sensible policy for stablecoins.
- And finally, his thoughts on what happens next.
Timothy brings a whole different perspective from what we’re used to in our crypto bubble. That’s exactly why you should tune into this episode.