Recently, US lawmakers have proposed a new bill that could have a significant impact on the world of cryptocurrency transactions. The bill, known as the Blockchain Integrity Act, aims to temporarily prevent financial institutions from engaging in transactions involving funds that have been through crypto mixers.
The proposed legislation seeks to impose a two-year moratorium on financial institutions, such as crypto exchanges, virtual asset service providers (VASPs), and other registered money service businesses (MSBs), from accepting incoming funds routed through a mixer. It also aims to bar outgoing funds from being withdrawn directly to a known mixer address.
During this two-year period, the bill mandates the Treasury Department, SEC, CFTC, and DOJ to conduct a comprehensive study on digital asset mixers, privacy coins, and anonymity-enhancing technologies. This study includes analyzing statistics on their illicit uses, insights into legitimate applications, and crafting tailored legislative suggestions to counter illegal activities by specific perpetrators.
A crypto mixer is a service used to “mix” diverse crypto funds with others to obscure their origin. Congressman Casten expressed the opinion that digital asset mixers should be treated as potential tools for money laundering unless subjected to rigorous audits. He claimed that digital assets have been used to finance terrorist activities globally in recent years.
The bill has received support from some lawmakers, such as Congressman Foster and Congressman Cleaver, who believe that mixers enable malicious actors to perpetrate financial crimes undermining US security. However, there has also been criticism, with some arguing that the temporary ban on financial institutions engaging in mixer transactions could hinder innovation and growth in the cryptocurrency space.
The Blockchain Integrity Act has sparked a debate within the cryptocurrency community and among lawmakers. While there are valid concerns about the potential misuse of digital asset mixers for illicit activities, it is essential to strike a balance between regulatory oversight and fostering innovation in the rapidly evolving world of cryptocurrencies. As the bill moves through the legislative process, it will be interesting to see how it evolves and whether it ultimately becomes law.
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