Sweeping Crypto Legislation Targets Stablecoins, Mining

The lawmakers have been drafting the plan for months, and it was widely anticipated to be favorable to crypto firms because of Lummis’s reputation as an industry ally. Both senators said in statements that it’s important to create guardrails for the industry and ensure consumers are protected, while also allowing room for innovation to flourish.

Here are some highlights of what’s in the Lummis-Gillibrand bill:

A requirement that stablecoin issuers maintain 100% reserves and publicly disclose the assets backing their token. Stablecoins have been in focus following the implosion of popular coin TerraUSD.
Tasking US Treasury with developing guidance to clarify the responsibility of stablecoin issuers to comply with sanctions.
A requirement that the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission — in consultation with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission and the Securities and Exchange Commission — analyze and report on energy consumption in the digital-asset market, including the amount used for activities such as mining. Environmental groups have been calling for both federal and state policymakers to crack down on Bitcoin mining.
A directive that a government watchdog study the opportunities and risks of investing retirement savings in digital assets.
Tasking the CFTC with more authority to regulate coins categorized as commodities directly, which is something crypto exchanges and other firms have supported.
The creation of an advisory committee — comprised of private and public sector members — to help the government keep pace with changes and provide recommendations.

The legislation — which could be broken into smaller bills — would likely have to clear at least three different Senate committees before being brought up for a full chamber vote.