Crypto Bill Could Harm Retirement Security, American Federation of Teachers Warns Senate

TLDR

• The American Federation of Teachers (AFT) calls for the withdrawal of the Responsible Financial Innovation Act.
• AFT warns the bill could jeopardize retirement security by introducing unsafe assets into pension portfolios.
• The bill may allow non-crypto companies to tokenize stocks, bypassing key securities laws and limiting investor protections.
• AFT highlights concerns about inadequate regulation, leaving families vulnerable to economic risks and illegal crypto market activities.
• Despite bipartisan support, the bill’s lack of regulatory clarity remains a contentious issue ahead of Senate voting.

The American Federation of Teachers (AFT) has urged the U.S. Senate to withdraw the Responsible Financial Innovation Act. The union believes the bill poses risks to retirement security and exposes families to financial instability. AFT President Randi Weingarten criticized the proposal for failing to provide sufficient regulatory safeguards for digital assets.

AFT Concerns Over Potential Impact on Retirement Plans

The AFT’s letter to the Senate highlights concerns over the bill’s impact on pensions and retirement plans. Weingarten stated that the bill could introduce unsafe assets into workers’ retirement portfolios, including pensions. “This loophole and the erosion of traditional securities law will have disastrous consequences,” she wrote.

The bill could allow non-crypto companies to tokenize stocks, bypassing existing securities laws. This would limit investor protections and reduce regulator accountability, AFT warns. The union expressed fear that this lack of oversight could destabilize retirement security for millions of workers.

Crypto Market Structure Bill’s Gaps Could Lead to Financial Instability

Beyond retirement security, the AFT raised alarms over the bill’s failure to address illegal activities in crypto markets. The union warned that the bill could help pave the way for the next financial crisis. “The lack of adequate regulation leaves working families vulnerable to economic risk,” Weingarten stated in the letter.

The Responsible Financial Innovation Act, which aims to regulate digital assets, has received bipartisan support. However, its lack of regulatory clarity and safeguards remains a major point of contention. The updated bill, which was introduced in September, defines key terms related to digital assets and stablecoins.

Senators Cynthia Lummis and Kirsten Gillibrand are the primary sponsors of the bill. They plan to share a draft by the end of this week and hold a vote next week. Despite AFT’s opposition, the Senate aims to advance the legislation in the coming days.

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