WASHINGTON—Congresswoman Maxine Waters (D-CA), chairwoman of the House Financial Services Committee, has announced a Digital Assets Working Group of Democratic Members.
The announcement came during a hearing held by the Task Force on Financial Technology.
“As cryptocurrencies, central bank digital currencies and other digital assets enter the mainstream, the committee will look at how digital assets have begun to enter many aspects of our lives – from payments to investments to remittances – and consider how to devise legislation to support responsible innovation that protects consumers and investors while promoting greater financial inclusion,” Waters said in a statement. “So, I am pleased to announce that I have organized a Digital Assets Working Group of Democratic Members that will examine the issues at hand in the digital assets space.”
The Members
Digital Asset Working Group Members (by order of committee seniority) include:
- Representative Brad Sherman (D-CA), chair of the Subcommittee on Investor Protection, Entrepreneurship and Capital Markets
- Representative Al Green (D-TX), chair of the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations
- Representative Jim Himes (D-CT), chair of the Subcommittee on National Security, International Development and Monetary Policy
- Representative Bill Foster (D-IL), chair of the Task Force on Artificial Intelligence
- Representative Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ)
- Representative Michael San Nicolas (D-GU)
- Representative Sean Casten (D-IL)
- Representative Ritchie Torres (D-NY)
- Representative Stephen Lynch (D-MA), chair of the Task Force on Financial Technology
- Representative Jesus “Chuy” Garcia (D-IL)
- Representative Sylvia Garcia (D-TX)
- Representative Nikema Williams (D-GA)
The Focus
Waters said the Digital Assets Working Group will focus on ensuring there is responsible innovation in the cryptocurrency and digital asset space. Members are meeting regularly with experts and government officials to learn about the challenges and promise of digital assets.
Members plan to work together on legislation and policy solutions on such matters as cryptocurrency regulation, the use of blockchain and distributed ledger technology, and the possible development of a U.S. Central Bank digital currency, Waters added.