Bipartisan SAFE Crypto Act Unveiled: New Task Force To Combat Digital Asset Scams

In a new bipartisan initiative to regulate the cryptocurrency sector, Senators Elissa Slotkin and Jerry Moran have unveiled the “SAFE Crypto Act,” which aims to establish a federal task force designed to address the increasing risks associated with digital asset scams.

New Task Force Proposed

The SAFE Crypto Act seeks to create a comprehensive task force that will bring together the Treasury Department, law enforcement agencies, regulators, and private-sector experts. 

As outlined in the Senators’ announcement, the task force will enhance local law enforcement capabilities, improving their tools for combating crypto-related scams. 

“It’s critical we protect Americans against scams in all industries, but especially cryptocurrency as it becomes more popular,” Senator Slotkin emphasized. She believes empowering local law enforcement with the necessary resources to tackle these scams is essential. 

Slotkin added, “This task force, established by the SAFE Cryptocurrency Act, will allow us to draw upon every resource we have to combat fraud in digital assets.”

Senator Moran echoed her sentiments, stating, “With fraud and other payment scams continuing to grow, protecting the financial security and well-being of Kansans is critical.” 

He noted that their legislation would strengthen coordination among governmental agencies, law enforcement, and the financial services sector as they work together to identify and combat cryptocurrency fraud. 

Highlights Of The SAFE Crypto Act

The text of the SAFE Crypto Act outlines several key purposes for the task force. It will examine current trends in financial grooming scams involving digital assets, identify effective prevention methods, and issue recommendations to enhance efforts against these fraudulent activities. 

A cross-sector approach will ensure that the task force’s recommendations encompass the entire spectrum of the issue, given that scams affect individuals across multiple jurisdictions and industries, including financial services, telecommunications, and technology.

The task force will also include insights from stakeholders with direct experience supporting scam victims as well as industry participants who can provide valuable information about organized crime networks involved in these scams. 

Their work will involve evaluating best practices for countering various methods used by scammers, including Ponzi schemes, money laundering activities, and fraudulent Initial Coin Offerings (ICOs).

Additionally, the task force will be responsible for assessing international efforts to prevent scams involving digital assets and reviewing current scamming methods that target individuals through digital asset intermediaries. 

Furthermore, the task force will coordinate efforts to ensure that law enforcement can identify and pursue perpetrators of scams involving digital assets. It will consult with other relevant stakeholders, including state, local, and tribal agencies, as well as financial services providers. 

The task force will also determine whether additional federal legislation or resources would be beneficial in combating scams in the digital asset space.

Within one year of its establishment, the task force will submit a comprehensive report to various Senate and House committees, detailing its findings and recommendations. After the initial report, annual updates will also be provided to keep Congress informed of ongoing progress and emerging threats.

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