AFT Urges Senate to Withdraw Cryptocurrency Market Structure Bill

According to BlockBeats, the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) has submitted a petition to the U.S. Senate, urging the withdrawal of the Cryptocurrency Market Structure Bill. The union warns that the proposal poses significant risks to pensions and the broader U.S. economy. The letter, initially obtained by CNBC, highlights that the Responsible Financial Innovation Act fails to establish adequate regulatory protections for cryptocurrency assets and stablecoins. AFT President Randi Weingarten expressed concerns that the bill lacks necessary regulatory measures and common-sense safeguards, potentially exposing working families, who currently have no ties to cryptocurrency, to economic risks and threatening the stability of their retirement security. Representing 1.8 million members, the union emphasized its fundamental mission to maintain a stable and reliable pension system for retired workers. The primary opposition to the bill stems from fears that it could pave the way for digital assets to enter retirement investment portfolios, including AFT pensions. Weingarten pointed out a critical concern that the bill might allow non-crypto companies to tokenize equity through blockchain, circumventing existing securities law regulations. She noted that this could bypass requirements for registration, disclosure, and intermediary regulation, weakening investor protection channels and regulatory accountability. Weingarten warned that this loophole and the erosion of traditional securities law could have catastrophic consequences, as even if pensions and 401(k) plans invest in traditional securities, they might ultimately hold unsafe assets. Beyond retirement pensions, the letter also highlighted the bill's insufficient regulation of illegal activities in the crypto market, cautioning that its vulnerabilities could lay the groundwork for the next financial crisis.