House to revisit crypto regulation bill vetoed by Biden

As an analyst with a background in financial regulation and experience following the crypto industry, I believe that the reconsideration of the bill aimed at overturning SAB 121 is a crucial step towards promoting clarity and certainty for banks and crypto companies collaborating within the U.S. market. The SEC’s guidance has been a source of controversy since its issuance in March 2022, as it forces financial institutions to treat crypto assets differently from other types of assets, creating unnecessary complexity and uncertainty.


The US House of Representatives intends to debate anew a legislative proposal intended to reverse a controversial SEC rule, which detractors believe impedes partnerships between cryptocurrency firms and banks.

As a crypto investor following the latest news, I’m excited to share that House Majority Leader Steve Scalise has announced plans to bring back the cryptocurrency regulation bill that was previously vetoed by President Joe Biden in May. The reconsideration is scheduled for July 9 or later.

.@SECGov SAB 121 resolution returns to House Floor next week says Majority Leader …“Legislation that may be considered:
Veto message to accompany H. J. Res. 109 – Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the…

— blockchain tipsheet (@blockchaintpsht) July 5, 2024

Despite having gained bipartisan approval in the House and Senate prior to this, securing the required two-thirds vote to overturn Biden’s veto could prove difficult.

In March 2022, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) released Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 121 (SAB 121). This bulletin applies to financial institutions that custody digital assets for their clients. The instruction is for these institutions to reflect those crypto holdings on their balance sheets as if they personally own the assets.

The criticism levied against the guidelines implied that they deterred major financial institutions, including investment banks, from offering extensive crypto custodial services.

I, Tom Emmer, have strongly criticized SAB 121, labeling it as an “illegal action” and a “violation” of the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (SEC) statutory mission.

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is mandated by law to shield investors, foster capital growth, and oversee markets that operate in a fair, orderly, and efficient manner. However, Chairman Gensler’s actions regarding the SAB 121 rule are seen as defying these objectives by breaking the law.— Tom Emmer (@GOPMajorityWhip) May 7, 2024

The Senate held a vote on rescinding this accounting rule, a move that drew criticism from many who believed it was unwarranted and discouraged financial investments.

As a crypto investor, I’ve noticed the debatable aspect of SAB 121. However, the bill garnered enough backing from both political parties to make it past Congress.

As a researcher studying the regulatory landscape of cryptocurrencies, I’ve noticed a growing consensus among lawmakers, investment institutions, and crypto investors (as well as some crypto skeptics) regarding their desire to repeal SAB 121. The rationale behind this unanimous call for change stems from the belief that this guidance unduly complicates and adds uncertainty to the way banks handle crypto assets compared to other types of assets.

Although there’s no definitive regulation in place, the uncertainty surrounding the required reserves for crypto assets and the unclear enforcement mechanisms from the SEC have kept many large financial institutions from venturing into the crypto custody sector.

When President Biden rejected the legislation, he penned a note published on the White House website detailing his reasoning. He underlined his opposition to provisions that could potentially harm consumers or investors.

He additionally pointed out that SAB 121 represents thoughtful perspectives from a technical standpoint regarding the reporting requirements for companies managing cryptocurrencies.

Biden added that the GOP’s resolution to reject SAB 121 inappropriately hinders the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) from creating suitable regulatory structures and dealing with upcoming concerns.

As an analyst, I would rephrase it as follows: The U.S. President emphasized that rescinding the SEC’s accounting guidance could weaken its control over financial reporting practices. Furthermore, he underscored the importance of implementing safeguards to shield consumers and investors in light of the burgeoning crypto market, which is crucial for realizing the full potential of this innovative field.

The administration is open to working with Congress to create a comprehensive regulatory framework for digital assets. This framework will encourage responsible growth in this area while leveraging current laws to preserve America’s dominance in the international financial sector.

As a crypto investor, I’m keeping a close eye on the upcoming House session regarding the bill that aims to regulate crypto assets. Should this measure manage to garner sufficient backing to override a potential presidential veto, SAB 121 could be repealed. The repercussions of such an outcome would be substantial; banks’ handling of crypto assets and the future development of crypto custody services within the United States could be dramatically affected.

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2024-07-07 14:50