WASHINGTON—President Donald Trump on Wednesday urged
Congress to expedite the passage of a bill aimed at establishing clearer rules
for the growing cryptocurrency sector, a key demand of the digital finance
industry.
The request came during a meeting at the White House with
executives and representatives of companies linked to the digital asset sector,
who have for years called for a regulatory framework that would more precisely
determine which agencies should oversee the various activities related to
cryptocurrencies.
Trump endorsed the need for Congress to establish
regulations that provide greater legal certainty for companies, investors, and
users. The initiative is part of his administration's agenda to make the United
States one of the world's leading centers for innovation and development of
digital assets.
For the industry, one of the main difficulties has been the
lack of clarity regarding the classification of certain crypto assets and the
scope of authority of agencies such as the Securities and Exchange Commission
(SEC) and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC).
Industry representatives believe that specific legislation
could reduce regulatory uncertainty and facilitate new investments in the United
States. Critics, however, warn that overly favorable regulations could create
risks for consumers and hinder the oversight of potentially speculative
financial activities.