Coin Center urges Senate not to axe crypto developer protection bill
Crypto industry lobby Coin Center has sent a letter to the US Senate Banking Committee urging it to follow through with a bill that seeks to prevent well-intended crypto developers from being prosecuted.
The Blockchain Regulatory Certainty Act (BRCA) was first introduced by House Representative Tom Emmer in September 2018, with a new version of the bill written last month by Senators Cynthia Lummis and Ron Wyden to clarify that software developers and infrastructure providers who do not control user funds are not money transmitters under federal law.
Coin Center policy director Jason Somensatto’s letter to the Senate Banking Committee, which he shared on Tuesday, further stated that blockchain innovation cannot thrive in the US when developers face constant threats of prosecution and that they deserve the same legal protections as ordinary internet developers.
Source:
Coin Center
“This is the same type of activity conducted every day by internet service providers, cloud hosting services, router manufacturers, browser developers, and email providers,” he said, adding that “we do not threaten those actors with prison when a criminal uses the internet, sends an email, routes traffic, or uploads files.”
“The same principle must apply to blockchain developers.”
Somensatto added that the “BRCA ensures that the next Satoshi Nakamoto, Vitalik Buterin, or Hayden Adams is able to develop the very systems that a market structure bill is designed to promote and protect.”
Coin Center is a Washington, DC-based non-profit think tank and advocacy center that focuses on public policy issues related to crypto and decentralized technologies.
Several crypto developers convicted in the US last year
Its push for crypto developer protections to coincide with the CLARITY Act comes amid several high-profile convictions of crypto developers last year.
Those convictions include Tornado Cash developer Roman Storm and Samourai Wallet founders Keonne Rodriguez and Will Lonergan Hill.
Related: When will crypto’s CLARITY Act framework pass in the US Senate?
All three were convicted of conspiracy to operate an unlicensed money-transmitting business in 2025. Rodriguez and Lonergan Hill were sentenced to five years and four years in prison, respectively, in November, while Storm is awaiting his sentencing date.
Weakening BRCA provisions could deter developers
The Senate Banking Committee is still reviewing the latest BRCA draft. It has not been marked up or voted on yet.
Somensatto said removing or even weakening provisions of the BRCA would lead to legal uncertainty for crypto developers, potentially deterring well-intended developers from operating in the US and pushing them offshore.
Magazine: How crypto laws changed in 2025 — and how they’ll change in 2026
Disclaimer: The content of this article solely reflects the author's opinion and does not represent the platform in any capacity. This article is not intended to serve as a reference for making investment decisions.
You may also like
Risks to Middle Eastern energy facilities escalate as Saudi Aramco headquarters reportedly hit and set on fire by Houthi forces
According to reports, during a missile attack launched by Yemen's Houthi forces against Saudi Arabia on Tuesday, the headquarters of Saudi Aramco in Dhahran was hit, causing a fire in part of the complex, which was later extinguished. It could not be confirmed whether the fire was caused by a direct missile hit. The Saudi government and Saudi Aramco have not confirmed reports of an attack on the headquarters.
Metals weaken as front-end yields, Hormuz risk offset softer dollar - Kitco PM Report
Siri AI integration: Apple bets on new smart home entry! First display “brain” HomeView debuts, complete smart home accessory set unveiled
The HomeView is priced at $299, featuring a 7-inch square screen and powered by the A18 chip. It comes in both desktop and wall-mounted versions, supports facial recognition linked to Siri AI, and can recognize up to six users. It will not be released in the EU for now, as Siri AI is not available locally. Apple has teamed up with LG and Schneider to launch an Apple Home Collection smart home accessory series, including indoor and outdoor floodlight cameras, video doorbells, thermostats, and door locks. The new generation Apple TV 4K is equipped with the A19 chip, supports Siri AI voice interaction, and is priced at $299. The second-generation HomePod mini is priced at $149, featuring new interactive lighting effects, with both products seeing price increases from previous models. Analysts are optimistic about Apple’s opportunities in expanding its home business, while the foldable iPhone set to begin pre-sale on Friday remains the recent highlight.
Crypto prices
More
