SEC Chairman, Gary Gensler, has recently expressed his strong opposition to the Financial Innovation and Technology for the 21st Century (FIT21) Act, which has been praised for its potential to bring regulatory clarity to the crypto industry. Gensler argues that the bill, if passed, would actually weaken the current consumer protections in the crypto market. He warns that the bill would create significant regulatory gaps, putting investors and capital markets at risk by allowing blockchain-based investment contracts to be classified as commodities rather than securities. This, in turn, would remove them from SEC oversight, leading to potential exploitation of investors.
Gensler also criticizes the bill for doing away with the Howey Test, a crucial method for determining if an investment qualifies as a security. By abandoning this test, the bill would decrease protections for investments that are considered securities, leaving investors vulnerable to potential fraud and scams. Additionally, Gensler highlights the risks of excluding crypto asset trading platforms from being classified as exchanges, which could further increase the likelihood of nefarious activities in the crypto market.
Congress and Crypto Community Support
Despite Gensler’s strong opposition to the FIT21 Act, the bill has garnered significant support from the US Congress and the crypto community. Congressman French Hill, the Chairman of the Subcommittee on Digital Assets, Financial Technology, and Inclusion, has stated that the bill would give the SEC authority over digital assets not certified under the legislation, providing necessary security measures to prevent situations similar to the FTX incident.
Several prominent crypto companies, including Coinbase, Circle, Kraken, and Gemini, along with advocacy group Stand With Crypto, have urged US lawmakers to support the legislation. The Crypto Council for Innovation (CCI) has also voiced its support for the bill, citing the need for regulatory clarity in the crypto industry to protect consumers and promote responsible business practices.
Implications of the FIT21 Act
Gensler emphasizes that the FIT21 Act poses a significant threat to the American capital market and its investors by allowing companies to evade enforcement actions more easily. The bill’s passage could undermine decades of precedent in overseeing investment contracts, potentially leading to a surge in fraudulent schemes and scams targeting unsuspecting investors in the crypto market.
As the US House of Representatives is set to vote on the FIT21 Act today, it remains to be seen whether Gensler’s concerns will sway lawmakers. The White House has clarified that while it opposes the bill, it will not attempt to veto it if it passes. The outcome of today’s vote will undoubtedly be crucial in shaping the future regulatory landscape of the crypto industry and determining the level of protection afforded to crypto investors in the United States.
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