White House Releases ‘First-Ever’ Framework for Digital Asset Development — Crypto Industry Leader Says Recommendations Are Unclear – Regulation Bitcoin News

The White House has now released what it called its “first-ever” comprehensive framework for the responsible development of digital assets just over six months after U.S. President Joe Biden signed an executive order on the same matter. However, one crypto industry leader has lamented the lack of clarity and understanding of the technology in the White House’s fact sheet.

United States Leadership in Global Financial System

Just over six months after U.S President Joe Biden signed an Executive Order (EO) outlining the government’s multi-pronged approach toward digital assets, the White House, on September 16, unveiled what it termed the “first-ever comprehensive framework for digital asset development.”

Explaining the Biden administration’s decision to release the framework, the White House said while digital currencies may have the potential to “reinforce the U.S. leadership in the global financial system,” they still pose risks to investors and consumers as evidenced by the crypto market’s crash in May.

The U.S. government has developed six priority frameworks in order to safeguard millions of citizens, as well as residents from the United States, who have obtained digital assets. The six key priorities identified in the March 9 EO are consumer and investor protection, financial stability, countering illicit finance, the United States’ leadership in the global financial system, financial inclusion, and responsible innovation.

According to the White House fact sheet, nine reports articulating a “clear framework for responsible digital asset development and [paving the] way for further action at home and abroad” have since been submitted to President Biden. The nine reports, which advocate for an orderly development of digital assets, also identify the roles that government agencies should play in aiding American businesses.

“The reports call on agencies to promote innovation by kickstarting private-sector research and development and helping cutting-edge U.S. firms find footholds in global markets. At the same time, they call for measures to mitigate the downside risks, like increased enforcement of existing laws and the creation of commonsense efficiency standards for cryptocurrency mining,” the White House’s fact sheet reads.

Besides focusing on privately created or issued digital currencies, the nine reports, according to the White House, also encourage the U.S. Federal Reserve “to continue its ongoing CBDC [central bank digital currency] research, experimentation and evaluation.” They also call for the “creation of a Treasury-led interagency working group to support the Federal Reserve’s efforts.”

Clarity is perceived as lacking

Meanwhile, in her reaction to the White House’s publishing of the fact sheet, Sheila Warren, the CEO of the Crypto Council for Innovation, lamented the lack of clarity and understanding of the technology in some of the recommendations made. She observed:

This is surprising considering the clear directions from the EO, and the efforts of Congress Members to make things move forward. Enforcement isn’t regulation. Regulation by enforcement gives countries other than the U.S. a chance to evaluate the technology’s effectiveness for their own purposes.

Warren also referred to the September 15 U.S. Senate Committee hearing, which was held to examine Digital Commodities Consumer Protection Act. According to the CEO, leaders at the hearing “seemed worried about other countries overtaking the U.S.”

In concluding her remarks, Warren said her organization stands ready to help U.S. lawmakers understand the digital asset industry which she called “a complex and nuanced space.”

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Terence Zimwara

Terence Zimwara was a Zimbabwe-award winning journalist, author, and writer. He is a prolific writer on the economic woes of African countries, as well as digital currencies that can be used to provide an escape path for Africans.