The anonymity provided by cryptocurrencies enables the funding of illegal activities, posing national security risks that must be addressed, warned Christy Goldsmith Romero, commissioner at the US Commodity Futures Trading Commission.
Romero said cryptocurrencies are being used to fund cybercrime targeting individuals, companies, hospitals and critical infrastructure.
“Fraud is a hallmark of digital asset markets,” she stressed at a conference in London, adding that the lack of visibility in cryptocurrency markets must be addressed.
“It is important for governments and particularly the industry to address what makes cryptocurrencies so attractive for illicit finance, and that is the allure of anonymity,” she noted, according to Reuters.
“Congress is already considering new laws to address anonymity and digital identity,” Romero said.
However, it’s important to note that fiat money, which has been the standard currency for decades, has also been used for fraudulent activities in various aspects of finance.
From money laundering to Ponzi schemes, the misuse of fiat money has led to financial crises, loss of trust in financial institutions, and economic instability.
While the anonymity provided by cryptocurrencies certainly poses a national security risk that needs to be addressed, it’s crucial not to overlook the longstanding issues with fiat money and the need for better regulation and oversight in the financial industry as a whole.
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