US FSC Chairman eyes regulatory clarity for crypto, stablecoin ecosystems
The Chairman of the House Financial Services Committee (FSC), Patrick McHenry, announced a markup of a few legislations, three aimed at providing regulatory clarity for the digital asset ecosystem — cryptocurrencies, blockchain development and stablecoin payments.
The Committee on Financial Services will meet on July 26 to markup H.R. 4763, the Financial Innovation and Technology for the 21st Century Act, H.R. 4766, the Clarity for Payment Stablecoins Act of 2023 and H.R. 1747, the Blockchain Regulatory Certainty Act among others.
Out of the lot, the markup on clarity for stablecoin payments was introduced by McHenry, which aims to bring regulatory clarity for the issuance stablecoins that are designed to be used as a means of payment.
As stated in the memorandum issued on July 21, H.R. 4763 establishes a digital asset market structure framework appropriate for the unique characteristics of digital assets. H.R. 1747 prevents the need for blockchain developers to acquire licenses as long as they don’t deal in cryptocurrencies.
#NEW: Chairman @PatrickMcHenry announces a markup of legislation to provide clarity for the digital asset ecosystem and address national security concerns.
Read more https://t.co/kb2smj24Io
— Financial Services GOP (@FinancialCmte) July 22, 2023
The date for the markup were announced a day after the introduction of the Financial Innovation and Technology for the 21st Century Act. U.S. Representative French Hill, who serves as the Chairman of the Subcommittee on Digital Assets, said that establishing a functional regulatory framework protects investors from financial fraud.
“This legislation would not only have prevented FTX from stealing billions of customer funds, but also establishes robust consumer protections and clear rules of the road for market participants,” he added.
Related: UK FCA shuts down 26 crypto ATMs following coordinated investigation
The United States Department of Justice (DoJ) decided to double the headcount of its crypto crime team.
Two DoJ teams — the Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section (CCIPS) and the National Cryptocurrency Enforcement Team (NCET) — will merge to create a larger structure with new additional resources.
The number of criminal division attorneys available to work on criminal cryptocurrency matters will “more than double,” as any CCIPS attorney could potentially be assigned to work an NCET case.
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Politics
Labour will eliminate unauthorised sewage spillages in a decade, environment secretary says
Labour will eliminate unauthorised sewage spillages in 10 years, the environment secretary has told Sky News.
Steve Reed also pledged to halve sewage pollution from water companies by 2030 as he announced £104 billion of private investment to help the government do that.
But he told Sunday Morning with Trevor Phillips this “isn’t the end of our ambition”.
“Over a decade of national renewal, we’ll be able to eliminate unauthorised sewage spillages,” he said.
“But you have to have staging posts along the way, cutting it in half in five years is a dramatic improvement to the problem getting worse and worse and worse every single year.”
He said the water sector is “absolutely broken” and promised to rebuild it and reform it from “top to bottom”.
His earlier pledge to halve sewage pollution from water companies by 2030 is linked to 2024 levels.
The government said it is the first time ministers have set a clear target to reduce sewage pollution and is part of its efforts to respond to record sewage spills and rising water bills.
Ministers are also aiming to cut phosphorus – which causes harmful algae blooms – in half by 2028.
Environment Secretary Steve Reed. File pic: PA
Mr Reed said families had watched rivers, coastlines and lakes “suffer from record levels of pollution”.
“My pledge to you: the government will halve sewage pollution from water companies by the end of the decade,” he added.
Addressing suggestions wealthier families would be charged more for their water, Mr Reed said there are already “social tariffs” and he does not think more needs to be done, as he pointed out there is help for those struggling to pay water bills.
Read more:
Why aquatic life is facing a double whammy as sewage overflows spill into rivers
Thames Water hit with largest-ever fine issued by regulator Ofwat
The announcement comes ahead of the publication of the Independent Water Commission’s landmark review into the sector on Monday morning.
The commission was established by the UK and Welsh governments as part of their joint response to failures in the industry, but ministers have already said they’ll stop short of nationalising water companies.
Mr Reed said he is eagerly awaiting the report’s publication and said he would wait to see what author Sir John Cunliffe says about Ofwat, the water regulator, following suggestions the government is considering scrapping it.
On Friday, the Environment Agency published data which showed serious pollution incidents caused by water firms increased by 60% in England last year, compared with 2023.
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Why sewage outflows are discharging into rivers
Meanwhile, the watchdog has received a record £189m to support hundreds of enforcement officers for inspections and prosecutions.
“One of the largest infrastructure projects in England’s history will clean up our rivers, lakes and seas for good,” Mr Reed said.
But the Conservatives have accused the Labour government of having so far “simply copied previous Conservative government policy”.
“Labour’s water plans must also include credible proposals to improve the water system’s resilience to droughts, without placing an additional burden on bill payers and taxpayers,” shadow environment secretary Victoria Atkins added.
The Rivers Trust says sewage and wastewater discharges have taken place over the weekend, amid thunderstorms in parts of the UK.
Discharges take place to prevent the system from becoming overwhelmed, with storm overflows used to release extra wastewater and rainwater into rivers and seas.
Water company Southern Water said storm releases are part of the way sewage and drainage systems across the world protect homes, schools and hospitals from flooding.
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