Throughout a March 5 listening to of the Home Monetary Companies Committee, US Consultant Sean Casten, an Illinois Congressperson, argued that “crypto-friendly guidelines” threaten US nationwide safety.
The lawmaker made the remarks whereas debating H.R. 1716, the “Taiwan Battle Deterrence Act of 2025,” accusing President Donald Trump and Elon Musk of dismantling Anti-Cash Laundering and monetary surveillance legal guidelines. Casten added:
“They’re pushing crypto-friendly guidelines that may make it basically unimaginable to find out the supply of funds which are being was once transferred. I need to level out that 100% of the ransomware assaults in the US are funded by crypto.”
“And but my colleagues would make it simpler to make use of crypto, cut back the oversight, and make it simpler to site visitors cash,” the lawmaker continued.
Consultant Sean Casten criticizes pro-crypto insurance policies. Supply: US House Financial Services Committee
Professional-crypto Congressperson Warren Davidson responded to Casten, stating, “[…] After we hear Mr. Casten throw out all types of issues, we get it — he desires a surveillance state.”
Davidson added that the US shouldn’t turn out to be like China to discourage the South Pacific nation and urged lawmakers to abide by the precepts outlined within the US Structure.
Congressperson Warren Davidson responds to feedback made by Casten. Supply: US House Financial Services Committee
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The creeping risk of the surveillance state
Former Nationwide Safety Company (NSA) contractor-turned-whistleblower Edward Snowden warned that the NSA was days away from taking over the internet in April 2024.
The whistleblower cited expansions to part 702 of the Overseas Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) and the imprecise language used to explain an “digital communications surveillance supplier.”
In response to Snowden, this might probably compel almost each particular person, together with workplace employees or contractors related to service suppliers, to behave as surveillance brokers for the US authorities.
In November 2024, Snowden sounded the alarm on centralized blockchains and synthetic intelligence, calling for decentralization as a bulwark towards the threats posed by concentrations of digital energy.
These warnings have been echoed by David Holtzman, a former army intelligence skilled and chief technique officer of the Naoris decentralized safety protocol, in December 2024.
Holtzman argued that the surveillance threats posed by AI are unparalleled in human historical past and stated that decentralization was key to stopping a rising authoritarian risk.
Journal: Cypherpunk AI: Guide to uncensored, unbiased, anonymous AI in 2025
