WATCH: Rep. Jake Auchincloss Joins PPI Event on Cryptocurrency, and the Challenges of Regulating an Unprecedented Technology
This week, the Progressive Policy Institute hosted an event with Rep. Jake Auchincloss (MA-04) and an esteemed panel of experts on the potential regulatory options for cryptocurrency, and the merits and drawbacks of several proposed approaches.
“My job…is to uphold market integrity, to protect consumers from fraud and abuse, and to create a regulatory sandbox in which industry can thrive. In which participants in a marketplace can transact with confidence. And in which the United States can lead the world in innovation,” said Rep. Jake Auchincloss during the event.
“I’d also like to keep this pre-partisan. Right now we haven’t yet put on the jerseys about what side is what for crypto regulation. And I think that’s healthy, because there’s no need for this to become a political football. This is something that thoughtful Members on both sides of the aisle should be able to roll up their sleeves and work together on. I’m certainly working in that fashion, and would like to see that we can get Democrats and Republicans on board with a long term regulatory architecture…” Rep. Auchincloss continued.
Cryptocurrency has taken the world by storm. Depending on the day, digital currencies are now cumulatively valued at several trillion dollars. Financial and nonfinancial corporate executives, once dismissive, increasingly understand the importance of cryptocurrency and related technologies for the future. However, the federal government is only in the early stages of deciding how to regulate cryptocurrency, which could have enormous implications going forward. PPI explored these challenges and heard from thought leaders on how to navigate this new and challenging technology.
Representative Jake Auchincloss serves as Vice Chair on the House Committee on Financial Services and the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. He has a deep background in technology and cybersecurity work.
In addition to Rep. Auchincloss, this event’s esteemed panelists included Dante Disparte, Circle’s Chief Strategy Officer and Head of Global Policy; Kirsten Wegner, CEO of the Modern Markets Initiative and a PPI Mosaic Project cohort member; and Michael Katz, Director of Legal for the Digital Currency Group. The event was moderated by Dr. Michael Mandel, Vice President and Chief Economist of PPI and featured Colin Mortimer, Director of PPI’s Center for New Liberalism.