“Advances in digital and distributed ledger technology for financial services have...profound implications for the protection of consumers, investors, and businesses, including data privacy and security; financial stability and systemic risk; crime; national security; the ability to exercise human rights; financial inclusion and equity; energy demand and climate change,” read the executive order (EO) signed by the US President Joe Biden on March 9. With this order, the US has now made its intentions clear in how it seeks to deal with cryptocurrencies and their attendant pros and cons; the order revealed that the US is going to choose a path of regulation rather than a ban. Senior White House officials informed the press that the order is not a reaction to the developments witnessed during Russia's invasion of Ukraine and had been in the works for many months before being signed on March 9. The global crypto community can collectively breathe a sigh of relief as the US’s positive outlook will go a long way in reinforcing the role of crypto as a crucial element of the global financial system. The market capitalisation of non-state digital assets touched $3 trillion in November 2021 from $14 billion in early November 2016, as per the order. https://twitter.com/finallrounder/status/1501748636572659712 Why it matters: It is one of the most significant policy directives to have come out of the US concerning the regulation of cryptocurrencies and other digital assets. The country’s lucid position will compel a lot of countries to rethink their strategy on digital assets…
