02 August 2021
It's finally "Infrastructure Week" and Congress is hammering out the details of a $1 trillion bill inching closer to the finish line. But one area that could face unpleasant consequences from the bill is cryptocurrencies.
Why it matters: Nearly $30 billion in taxes from cryptocurrency transactions, as part of the bill's "pay-fors," is at stake.
Driving the news: In an updated text of the bill, senators have narrowed the definition of "brokers" that would fall under the new transaction reporting requirements, but it's still not specific enough, according to industry insiders.
- The new version defines a broker as "Any person who (for consideration) is responsible for regularly providing any service effectuating transfers of digital assets on behalf of another person."
- The worry is that even the new definition still doesn't explicitly (or more clearly) exclude parties like miners, node operators, and software developers.
- "Such a requirement is essentially forcing miners, lightning nodes, etc., to identify others on the network," Coin Center executive director Jerry Brito tweeted. "Not only is this nonsensical from a technical perspective, such a mandate would very likely be unconstitutional surveillance."
Between the lines: This is yet another example of the cryptocurrencies only getting attention from lawmakers when they want something. The industry has been clamoring for clearer regulations and laws, and a slew of bills have emerged over the years, but things today are far from a neat and comprehensive set of rules.
- Moreover: While many a hearing on the topic has included dramatic accusations by lawmakers that cryptocurrencies are only used by criminals or "a crock," the current situation shows that more members of Congress should have a solid understanding of how things work.
- The industry's got a few champions in Congress, but it can't be comfortable knowing that most don't understand its fundamentals, or don't even want to.
What's next: Senators will now begin a dayslong amendment process—so there's still an opportunity for the cryptocurrency industry to get the tweaks it wants.
Transcripts show George Floyd told police "I can't breathe" over 20 times
Section2Newly released transcripts of bodycam footage from the Minneapolis Police Department show that George Floyd told officers he could not breathe more than 20 times in the moments leading up to his death.
Why it matters: Floyd's killing sparked a national wave of Black Lives Matter protests and an ongoing reckoning over systemic racism in the United States. The transcripts "offer one the most thorough and dramatic accounts" before Floyd's death, The New York Times writes.
The state of play: The transcripts were released as former officer Thomas Lane seeks to have the charges that he aided in Floyd's death thrown out in court, per the Times. He is one of four officers who have been charged.
- The filings also include a 60-page transcript of an interview with Lane. He said he "felt maybe that something was going on" when asked if he believed that Floyd was having a medical emergency at the time.
What the transcripts say:
- Floyd told the officers he was claustrophobic as they tried to get him into the squad car.
- The transcripts also show Floyd saying, "Momma, I love you. Tell my kids I love them. I'm dead."
- Former officer Derek Chauvin, who had his knee on Floyd's neck for over eight minutes, told Floyd, "Then stop talking, stop yelling, it takes a heck of a lot of oxygen to talk."
Read the transcripts via DocumentCloud.