Key Takeaways
- A brand new invoice would require members of the U.S. Congress to report their crypto holdings.
- Congress members would face penalties of $500 or extra for failing to reveal on time, and $66,000 or extra for purposefully falsifying their report.
- The bipartisan invoice was submitted to the Home of Representatives solely three days previous to the Ethics Committee launching an investigation into Rep. Madison Cawthorn’s crypto actions.
Share this text
A brand new invoice working its manner via the Home of Representatives would require members of Congress to report the worth of any buy, sale, or alternate of cryptocurrencies over $1,000.
The Cryptocurrency Accountability Act
A invoice was launched on Might 20 in america Home of Representatives that will oblige U.S. lawmakers to reveal their cryptocurrency holdings together with their different monetary pursuits.
The “Cryptocurrency Accountability Act”, launched by Consultant Elissa Slotkin (D-MI) alongside Consultant Dusty Johnson (R-SD), is an modification of the Ethics in Authorities Act of 1978 that requires public officers to reveal their monetary and employment historical past.
Beneath the legislation, members of Congress could be required to explain the date and worth of any buy, sale, or alternate of cryptocurrencies exceeding $1,000, in addition to disclose the scale and nature of their long-term holdings. The invoice additionally applies to their spouses and dependent kids.
Failing to report crypto holdings in a well timed vogue would lead to a high quality of both $500 or an quantity equal to five% of the worth of the asset (whichever is highest). Within the case of a Consultant purposefully falsifying their report, the high quality could also be introduced as much as $66,000 or an quantity equal to five% of the worth of the asset (once more, whichever is highest).
Rep. Slotkin said in a Twitter put up that “People should know their elected leaders have the general public’s greatest pursuits at coronary heart and aren’t attempting to make a fast buck off their place. My Cryptocurrency Accountability Act will enhance transparency [and] assist cease the corruption that erodes confidence in our authorities.”
The invoice was launched solely three days previous to the Home Committee on Ethics launching an investigation into Rep. Madison Cawthorn (R-NC), who’s suspected of selling a cryptocurrency by which he might have had a monetary curiosity. The token, named “Let’s Go Brandon” after the mantra mocking U.S. President Joe Biden, crashed to zero in January and has not recovered since.
Disclosure: On the time of writing, the creator of this piece owned ETH and a number of other different cryptocurrencies.