Three members of Congress positioned digital asset regulation as a matter of nationwide safety and financial competitors throughout a panel dialogue at The Bitcoin 2026 Convention in Las Vegas on Monday.
Reps. Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-Iowa), Zach Nunn (R-Iowa), and Mike Lawler (R-N.Y.) spoke on “The Bitcoin Bloc: A New Drive in American Politics,” moderated by Faryar Shirzad, Chief Coverage Officer at Coinbase.
Miller-Meeks described Bitcoin as “monetary democracy” and linked cryptocurrency adoption to America’s 250th anniversary, framing assist for digital belongings as patriotic. She cited the Chinese language Communist Social gathering as a menace and characterised crypto coverage as a nationwide safety problem.
The Iowa congresswoman shared her background working by medical faculty and highlighted Bitcoin’s potential to guard ladies experiencing home abuse or violence.
She mentioned digital belongings can present ladies with sources past authorities attain, citing Canada’s trucker protest for example of presidency intervention in monetary accounts. Miller-Meeks acknowledged that older People categorical issues about digital asset security.
Chinese language is driving bitcoin coverage urgency
Each Miller-Meeks and Nunn emphasised competitors with China as a driver for U.S. crypto coverage. Miller-Meeks acknowledged that China continues to pursue management within the digital asset sector however mentioned america stays the very best atmosphere for innovation.
Nunn warned that failing to advance American management in Bitcoin and digital belongings creates nationwide safety dangers. He known as for holding China accountable and mentioned dropping the November midterm elections may reverse 18 months of legislative progress, permitting adversaries to realize floor whereas the U.S. falls behind.
“Selections and elections have penalties,” Nunn mentioned, pointing to particular anti-crypto Democrats as he mentioned the stakes of the upcoming midterm elections.
Nunn highlighted progress in Congress and the crypto sector, noting that the SEC beneath former Chair Gary Gensler imposed fines within the tens of millions of {dollars} for violations involving ideas Gensler didn’t perceive. Gensler was fired earlier within the Trump administration.
Lawler referenced the GENIUS Act as a constructive step however mentioned Congress should set up a complete federal regulatory framework.
He cited Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent’s op-ed in The Wall Avenue Journal and acknowledged that passing regulatory readability will place America on the forefront of the digital asset house. Lawler mentioned SEC rules ought to serve the crypto trade’s finest pursuits.
As a New Yorker, Lawler mentioned he desires the crypto trade to stay in New York and really feel safe working within the state.
The ‘double taxation’ of bitcoin mining
Nunn criticized double taxation on Bitcoin mining operations, questioning why the U.S. taxes Bitcoin mining in another way than different types of asset extraction. He mentioned extreme taxation drives innovation to different international locations and emphasised the necessity to keep away from making it tough to conduct enterprise in america.
The panel dialogue mirrored a broader shift in congressional Republican attitudes towards digital belongings, with lawmakers framing crypto coverage by the lens of geopolitical competitors and particular person monetary freedom somewhat than shopper safety or monetary stability issues that dominated earlier regulatory debates.
