elizabethwarren

Senator Elizabeth Warren is urging the SEC to take immediate action, warning that Donald Trump’s new executive order allowing cryptocurrencies in 401(k) retirement plans threatens the financial future of millions of Americans.
In a public letter addressed to SEC Chair Paul Atkins, Warren fiercely criticized the White House’s move to greenlight crypto investments in the most common U.S. retirement plans. According to her, it’s an “incredibly dangerous step” that could wipe out lifetime savings for ordinary citizens.
“A retirement account is not a casino,” Warren warned. “Cryptocurrencies are extremely volatile and unregulated — they have no place in long-term retirement portfolios.”

Trump’s Turnaround: From “Fraud” to Billions
Warren reminded the public that Trump himself called Bitcoin a fraud back in 2021. Yet after returning to office, he reversed his position — and according to the Center for American Progress, his family has made over $1.2 billion from crypto investments.
In August, Trump signed an executive order that allows providers to offer crypto investment options within 401(k) plans. Warren claims this creates a “regulatory loophole” that could bypass SEC oversight.

Warren: “People Could Lose Everything”
The senator stressed that most Americans are not prepared to handle this level of risk. She called it a “green light for financial disaster,” and questioned whether the SEC is doing enough to protect investors.
🔹 She wants to know if crypto firms are being honest about risks and liquidity

🔹 She asks whether the SEC investigates market manipulation and fraud

🔹 She demands investor education efforts to help people understand crypto risks

SEC Under Pressure, Atkins Follows Trump’s Line
SEC Chair Paul Atkins has previously expressed support for the president’s direction. In an interview with CNBC, he stated the agency would create rules “aligned with the vision of making the U.S. the world’s crypto capital.”
He emphasized that fostering innovation does not mean eliminating oversight:
“Fraud is still fraud. If someone raises money with big promises and vanishes — they’ll hear from us.”
Atkins also distanced himself from former Chair Gary Gensler’s aggressive regulatory stance. Under his leadership, the SEC claims it now wants to embrace innovation — while still prioritizing investor protection.

Labor Unions Join the Fight
Warren is not alone. The American Federation of Teachers and AFL-CIO have both criticized the administration’s move. They fear that weakening oversight could jeopardize the financial future of retirees. If crypto continues to grow unchecked, millions of retirement accounts could face unprecedented risk.

#TRUMP , #ElizabethWarren , #SEC , #CryptoRegulation , #USPolitics

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Notice:
,,The information and views presented in this article are intended solely for educational purposes and should not be taken as investment advice in any situation. The content of these pages should not be regarded as financial, investment, or any other form of advice. We caution that investing in cryptocurrencies can be risky and may lead to financial losses.“

Senator Elizabeth Warren, along with other lawmakers, recently sent a letter to the SEC raising concerns that adding cryptocurrency to 401(k) retirement plans would be dangerous and could lead to significant financial harm for millions of Americans.
Key Arguments and Concerns
The letter, also sent to the Department of Labor, emphasizes that cryptocurrencies are a highly volatile and speculative asset class that lacks the necessary guardrails and transparency for secure retirement saving.
Extreme Volatility: Citing a Government Accountability Office (GAO) study, the senators noted that the volatility of cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin can be several times higher than that of the S&P 500, posing a major risk to stable, long-term retirement planning.
Lack of Regulation and Scams: The unregulated nature of the crypto market makes it more susceptible to fraud, theft, market manipulation, and scams, which accounted for billions in reported losses in recent years.
No Inherent Value or Cash Flow: The GAO study mentioned that because crypto tokens do not produce cash flow or generate returns like traditional assets (stocks and bonds), profit can only be made by selling them at a higher price, making the investment more akin to gambling.
Illiquidity Concerns: The illiquid nature of some crypto assets can raise serious concerns during economic downturns when retirees might need to access their savings quickly.
Recent Developments
The letter to the SEC follows a recent executive order by President Trump that directed federal agencies to review their positions on alternative assets in retirement plans, aiming to provide broader access to investments like private equity and cryptocurrencies.
The Department of Labor (DOL) has since rescinded its prior 2022 guidance that had advised plan fiduciaries to exercise "extreme care" before offering crypto options, now taking a more neutral stance.
The senators also raised concerns about potential conflicts of interest, referencing reports that the Trump family's financial interests might influence the administration's push for crypto accessibility in retirement plans.
SEC Chair Paul Atkins has indicated a different approach from the previous administration, aiming to "embrace this new area of innovation," but maintains that "fraud is fraud" and will be pursued to the full extent of the law.

#CryptoRisk

#crypto

#ElizabethWarren

#SEC

#401K

Senator Elizabeth Warren has long been a prominent advocate for banning members of Congress from owning or trading individual stocks, arguing it is crucial for restoring public trust and preventing conflicts of interest. She has repeatedly introduced and supported bipartisan legislation aimed at achieving this goal.
Legislative Efforts and Current Status
Senator Warren has championed the "Bipartisan Ban on Congressional Stock Ownership Act" (and similar iterations over the years), which would prohibit members of Congress and their spouses from owning or trading individual stocks, bonds, commodities, or futures. Instead, they would be permitted to invest in widely held, diversified investment funds, such as mutual funds and ETFs.
Key aspects of the proposed legislation include:
Prohibition: A ban on owning or trading individual securities and complex investment vehicles.
Divestment Period: A transition period for current members to divest their holdings, with a penalty of up to $50,000 for each violation.
Enforcement: Enforcement would fall to the Department of Justice and the U.S. Office of Special Counsel.
Despite Warren's sustained efforts and broad public support for the measure—with polls consistently showing over 80% of Americans in favor of a ban—the legislation has faced significant resistance and has yet to be passed into law. While similar proposals have cleared committees in recent years, they have failed to advance to a full vote in the Senate.
Arguments For and Against
Arguments in favor of a ban center on eliminating the appearance of corruption and potential for insider trading. Lawmakers have access to non-public, market-moving information (e.g., upcoming legislation, national security briefings, economic data) that could create an unfair advantage for personal financial gain. A ban ensures that representatives are working solely for the public's interest, not their own bank accounts.
Arguments against the ban primarily focus on personal financial freedom, with some suggesting that the current STOCK Act (Stop Trading on Congressional Knowledge Act), which requires timely disclosure of trades, is sufficient if enforced properly. Opponents also argue that a comprehensive ban might discourage qualified individuals with business backgrounds from seeking public office if forced to divest from their personal investments.
Senator Warren continues to push for the ban, emphasizing the need for genuine reforms to restore trust in government institutions.
#ElizabethWarren #stockmarket #CongressInquiry #EthicsReform #FinancialTransparency

Changpeng Zhao (CZ), the former CEO of Binance, one of the largest cryptocurrency exchanges in the world, has publicly threatened to sue U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren for defamation. This confrontation marks a new phase in the ongoing conflict between the crypto industry and American regulators, highlighting the growing tension and differing views on the future of digital assets.

Senator #ElizabethWarren and Representative Jake Auchincloss recently sent a letter requesting federal regulators to investigate meme coins named Trump and Melania, which were launched on the Solana platform before Donald Trump's second inauguration. Both officials expressed concerns about potential conflicts of interest, risks to consumers, and potential impacts on national security from these cryptocurrencies.

📌 Once a strong critic of crypto, Senator Elizabeth Warren now wants to collaborate with Trump to protect cryptocurrency companies from being denied service by banks.
🏦 "Debanking" – A Real Issue?
In a hearing in the U.S. Senate on Wednesday, #ElizabethWarren , one of the longest-standing crypto opponents, surprised many by speaking out against banks denying services to cryptocurrency companies – also known as "debanking."

President Donald Trump has begun taking steps to sharply reduce funding for the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), the agency created to shield everyday Americans from abusive practices by Wall Street and other lenders. The move effectively dismantles rules that for more than a decade were designed to prevent fraud and predatory behavior on “Main Street.”
During Trump’s second term, the pressure has intensified. Budget director Russell Vought, who is also overseeing the agency, has openly signaled his intention to shut the CFPB down entirely. Some investigative responsibilities are expected to be shifted to the Department of Justice—an institution not designed to focus on credit card fraud or payday lending schemes.
Trump defended the decision at the White House, saying it was “very important to get rid of this agency,” and accused Senator Elizabeth Warren of using the CFPB as her “personal agency to destroy people.”

Mass Layoffs and a Crippled Watchdog
The administration is reportedly seeking to lay off up to 90% of CFPB staff and block the agency from accessing additional funding. An argument that the CFPB must be “profitable” before receiving more money from the Federal Reserve was rejected this week by a federal judge as legally unsound, but the broader dismantling effort continues.
Republicans in Congress already lowered the CFPB’s statutory funding cap in July. Since then, long-standing consumer finance rules have been rolled back, including protections related to student loans, credit card fees, mortgages, and overdraft charges. Many pending enforcement actions have been paused or canceled outright.
Insiders say experienced staff are leaving, oversight is collapsing, and the agency has largely stopped monitoring the very industries it was created to police.

Growing Fear Among Consumers and Advisors
The consequences are being felt on the ground. Reuters spoke with lawyers, financial counselors, and financially distressed Americans who said they are increasingly worried. For many, the CFPB was the only effective defense against lenders engaging in unfair or deceptive practices. With the agency weakened, people facing medical debt, job losses, or other financial shocks fear being left alone with predatory actors.

Warren Warns No Other Agency Puts Consumers First
Elizabeth Warren, who helped establish the CFPB in 2010, warns that no other federal agency places consumer protection at the top of its priorities. Reflecting on her years as a bankruptcy law professor, she recalled seeing countless people who lost jobs or fell ill only to be further exploited by lenders. Other agencies, she argues, treat consumer protection as a secondary concern at best.
Without the CFPB, critics say there is no guarantee that fraudulent lenders will be held accountable. Shifting responsibility “elsewhere” could, in practice, mean that it is enforced nowhere.

A Stark Contrast With China
While the United States weakens consumer safeguards, China is moving in the opposite direction. State media report that Beijing is allocating 62.5 billion yuan through long-term bonds to support consumer subsidy programs through 2026. The initiative, launched in 2024 to counter weak demand, is now being expanded.
Under the program, citizens receive partial refunds when replacing old appliances, electronics, or vehicles. According to the National Development and Reform Commission, consumers get 15% back on purchases such as washing machines or smartphones, capped at 500 yuan per item. Those trading in old cars for electric vehicles can receive up to 20,000 yuan, while buyers switching to cleaner vehicles can still receive up to 15,000 yuan.
The contrast is striking: while Beijing is investing in consumer protection and demand support, Washington under Trump’s leadership is dismantling a key watchdog designed to protect American households.

#TRUMP , #USPolitics , #WallStreet , #economy , #ElizabethWarren

Stay one step ahead – follow our profile and stay informed about everything important in the world of cryptocurrencies!
Notice:
,,The information and views presented in this article are intended solely for educational purposes and should not be taken as investment advice in any situation. The content of these pages should not be regarded as financial, investment, or any other form of advice. We caution that investing in cryptocurrencies can be risky and may lead to financial losses.“