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The future of Bitcoin and cryptocurrencies in the United States could be threatened by a controversial regulatory decision. Influential senators have expressed their deep concern regarding a new interpretation of the laws by the Department of Justice. It could criminalize the development of non-custodial Bitcoin software, thus threatening innovation in this booming area.
The DOJ’s Crusade Against Bitcoin Privacy
The dispute originates from the DOJ’s radical interpretation of Money Services Business (MSB) laws. Indeed, the department now considers that developers of non-custodial Bitcoin wallets are operating illegally as unregistered MSBs. This stance calls into question the fundamental principles of decentralization and self-custody of cryptocurrencies. The Samourai Wallet case, where the DOJ arrested the founders for money laundering, illustrates this new line of conduct.
For many Bitcoin advocates, this legal offensive is a frontal attack against the privacy and financial freedom promised by crypto. Some fear that the DOJ is looking to stifle innovation in this field by criminalizing essential tools for respecting users’ privacy.
The Senate’s Uprising!
In response to this threat, influential voices in the U.S. Senate have risen to strongly condemn the DOJ’s approach. In a scathing letter to Attorney General Merrick Garland, Senators Cynthia Lummis and Ron Wyden denounced the “unprecedented interpretation” by the department.
According to them, this stance directly contradicts the guidelines of the Department of the Treasury and the intent of Congress. By significantly broadening the definition of an MSB, the DOJ would be threatening to “criminalize Americans offering non-depository Bitcoin services and software.”
For the senators, such a decision would have devastating consequences. It would stifle innovation in the field of decentralized financial technologies and shake public trust in the rule of law in the United States. A significant warning that could foreshadow a legal showdown between the government and the Bitcoin industry.
This controversy highlights the growing tensions between American regulators and the thriving Bitcoin ecosystem. Although consumer protection is a legitimate priority, an overly strict approach risks stifling innovation and pushing developers to relocate their operations.
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Le monde évolue et l’adaptation est la meilleure arme pour survivre dans cet univers ondoyant. Community manager crypto à la base, je m’intéresse à tout ce qui touche de près ou de loin à la blockchain et ses dérivés. Dans l’optique de partager mon expérience et de faire connaître un domaine qui me passionne, rien de mieux que de rédiger des articles informatifs et décontractés à la fois.
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