Mnuchin Tells Congress Tougher Laws Will Be Introduced On Cryptocurrency Payments Soon

During a recent Senate Finance Committee hearing, Steve Mnuchin the U.S. Treasury Secretary called on the FinCEN, a U.S financial regulatory authority, to put in place new cryptocurrencies regulations and guidelines in a bid to reduce the money laundering, illicit trades and activities that cryptocurrencies purportedly enhance.

Mnuchin was in Congress answering Senator Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.), on how the budget increases Treasury plans to bolster monitoring and prosecution of terrorists and criminal rings that funnel funds using crypto. He didn’t give much details but he stated that they had zeroed in on cryptocurrencies, a topic they had given much thought after lengthy discussions with other agencies and watchdogs.

They would want technology to progress with caution by ensuring that digital assets aren’t simply being stashed for criminal enterprises. This would be made possible only if the authorities would be able to follow a trail ensuring that the funds weren’t for money laundering purposes.

“We want to make sure that cryptocurrencies aren't used for the equivalent of old Swiss secret number bank accounts.”

In a previous White House briefing Mnuchin has argued that the cryptocurrencies in place have been breached by criminal fronts to facilitate illegal dealings such as ransomware, extortion and even in extreme cases Human and Narco trafficking. He added that the regulators wouldn’t stand by as crypto firms facilitate such with mentions of BTC and Libra.

“To be clear: FinCEN will hold any entity that transacts in Bitcoin, Libra, or any other cryptocurrency to its highest standards.”

FinCEN Tough Stance

FinCEN’s top brass has constantly reiterated their position on Crypto regulations. Previously Kenneth Blanco, director FinCEN has offered stern warning to crypto firms and start-ups that don’t follow BSA and AML regulations of dire consequences. The Securities and Exchange Commission(SEC), Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CTFC) and FinCEN recently released a joint press statement where they reminded actors in the crypto space to follow BSA and AML regulations set aside by regulatory authorities.