Democratic Senator Chuck Schumer, the majority leader of the United States Senate, announced his intention to pass pro-crypto legislation by the end of the year if Kamala Harris is elected president.
Chuck Schumer's Statement
Speaking at the Crypto4Harris Town Hall, aimed at advocating for crypto initiatives within Harris’s campaign, Schumer emphasized the importance of innovation. He stated that lawmakers must support crypto innovation in the U.S., otherwise, this industry might move abroad, where there is minimal regulation. “We cannot afford to continue to sit on the sidelines because then we risk crypto going overseas to lowest common denominator countries where there will be no regulation at all,” Schumer said. He also expressed his willingness to work with both parties in the Senate to create and pass sensible legislation.
Politicians' Stances on Cryptocurrencies
Schumer noted the importance of innovation in areas like AI and crypto, while highlighting the need for safeguards to protect users and prevent the misuse of cryptocurrencies. Vice President Harris has yet to clearly define her position on crypto policy, causing concerns within the crypto community about the potential continuation of the Biden administration's hard stance on digital assets. Meanwhile, Republican candidate Donald Trump has vowed to end “Joe Biden's war on crypto” if elected. Speaking at the Bitcoin 2024 conference, Trump promised to make the U.S. the “crypto capital of the planet” and proposed creating a national Bitcoin stockpile. During the event, Mark Cuban criticized the Republicans for seeking to enrich themselves and the industry’s elites, stating: “Republicans couldn’t care less. They just want to see the Bitcoin maxis get richer.”
Experts' Opinions and Next Steps
Democratic Congressman Wiley Nickel also voiced support for the crypto industry, criticizing Trump for his previous remarks labeling crypto as a scam. Senator Debbie Stabenow, chair of the Senate Agriculture Committee, reaffirmed her commitment to protecting consumers while allowing innovation to flourish. She has been working with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), advocating for crypto assets to be regulated as commodities rather than securities. The CFTC is viewed as a more crypto-friendly regulator compared to the SEC under Gensler, who has faced criticism for his regulatory approach. At the Crypto4Harris event, other Democratic politicians, including Colorado Governor Jared Polis and Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, also expressed support for the crypto industry. Anthony Scaramucci, founder of SkyBridge Capital, called on the crypto community to become “less tribal” and support bipartisan efforts. Crypto4Harris organizers announced plans to start raising funds in September to further support pro-crypto initiatives within Harris’s campaign.
Chuck Schumer’s speech at the Crypto4Harris event underscores the significance of cryptocurrency policy in the current political landscape. Democrats and Republicans have diverged in their approaches, and the future of cryptocurrencies in the U.S. will hinge on the outcome of the upcoming elections.
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