FIT21 Bill Clears U.S. House, Paving Way for Digital Asset Rules

The recent approval of the Financial Innovation and Technology for the 21st Century Act (FIT21) by the U.S. House of Representatives marks a pivotal moment for the cryptocurrency market. This legislation aims to establish a clear regulatory framework for digital assets, potentially boosting market confidence and innovation.

Understanding the FIT21 Act

The FIT21 Act, crafted by the House Agriculture Committee and the House Financial Services Committee, seeks to define the regulatory boundaries of digital assets. It introduces the term “digital commodity” to help the SEC classify cryptocurrencies, enhancing consumer protection and creating a stable environment for innovation.

The bill’s primary objectives are to:

• Clarify the SEC’s regulatory roles.
• Strengthen consumer protections.
• Foster a robust environment for digital asset innovation.
• Prevent scams and regulate crypto exchanges.

Scott Mason, senior policy advisor at Holland & Knight, stated to crypto.news that FIT21 “is definitely an opportunity to give the crypto/blockchain industry confidence that the US is a friendly market… The industry is here to stay, and the US needs to lead, not follow EUR and other countries that are aggressively courting industry investment.”

The House proceedings faced a slow start due to a standoff involving comments by Rep. Jim McGovern about former President Donald Trump. This incident led to a delay as Republicans demanded that McGovern’s remarks be retracted. The debate continued after an hour-long delay, and McGovern later tweeted about being banned from speaking on the House Floor.

Despite these initial disruptions, the bill progressed through committee votes, eventually clearing with a narrow margin of 204 to 203. During final debates, Congressman Patrick McHenry emphasized the importance of the legislation, stating it “will cement the United States’ global leadership in technological innovation, invention, and adoption.”

The final vote saw a broader consensus, concluding with 279 in favor and 136 against, including support from 71 Democrats.

Sheila Warren, CEO of the Crypto Council for Innovation, highlighted the significance of the vote, saying, “This vote represents years of tireless effort from policymakers, their staff, and the industry to safeguard consumers and keep the US at the forefront of digital innovation. It’s proof that innovation and consumer protection can coexist in the digital assets space. 71 Democrats voted in favor of keeping tech a nonpartisan issue.”

Next Steps and Future Implications

Despite the House’s approval, the White House has expressed reservations about the bill, pointing to the absence of a comprehensive regulatory framework for digital assets. Nonetheless, the Biden administration has shown willingness to collaborate with lawmakers to refine crypto legislation and has indicated it will not veto the bill.

The FIT21 Act now moves to the U.S. Senate for further deliberation. Additionally, the House passed a separate bill prohibiting the U.S. Federal Reserve from issuing a central bank digital currency (CBDC).