Yellen’s Double Standard: Calls for Clear Crypto Rules while Addressing Crypto as Risk? 

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With the economy looming large in the 2024 election, U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen will appear before the House Financial Services Committee Today to explain the latest work of the Financial Stability Oversight Committee (FSOC).

According to a brief excerpt of Yellen’s testimony released on Monday, she will tell Congress that the crypto industry poses several potential dangers to the financial system, including the dangers of stablecoins, runs on crypto platforms, and price volatility. 

With the government set to bring clear rules if Congress fails to address them, Yellen has issued a dire warning of what could happen if action is not taken.

Key Topics to Discuss

In today’s testimony, Yellen will highlight the financial sector’s increasing adoption of AI, acknowledging its potential to cut costs and boost efficiency but stressing the importance of stronger oversight by financial bodies and regulators.

Next on her list is crypto; Yellen will underscore the FSOC’s concern about potential market instabilities. Specific risks include runs on crypto-asset platforms, vulnerabilities due to price fluctuations, and the rise of platforms operating outside legal and regulatory authority. 

However, she will also voice clear rules. Yellen added that Congress should pass legislation, and applicable rules should be enforced. Lawmakers are working on legislation, including one focused on stablecoins and another more broadly on market structure. Bills to combat anti-money laundering have also been introduced. Yet, uncertainty persists in the U.S. regarding rule-making for these sectors, unlike in Europe and Hong Kong, where clearer regulatory frameworks emerge.

Recently, the European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) has issued consultation papers seeking public feedback on setting standards under the Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) regulation. At the same time, the EU proposes stricter rules for foreign crypto firms. Hong Kong has mandated unlicensed crypto firms to cease operations by May 2024, signaling a proactive regulatory stance.

While other nations are progressing US is lagging in clear rules; without rules, they only talk about risk. 

Wendy O, a YouTuber, and a crypto expert, said in her X post that the chair of the Federal Reserve, Powell, predicts a potential collapse of crypto in about 30 years. Similarly, Yellen will follow Warren’s lead in blaming crypto assets for the banking collapse, but Wendy thinks the real threat is the US officials, not crypto.