U.S. Senators Introduce Legislation to Combat Cryptocurrency Fraud

According to Cointelegraph, two U.S. Senators have proposed new legislation aimed at addressing cryptocurrency fraud and scams by enhancing law enforcement capabilities. The Strengthening Agency Frameworks for Enforcement of Cryptocurrency (SAFE) Act, introduced by Democrat Elissa Slotkin and Republican Jerry Moran, seeks to foster collaboration between the U.S. Treasury, law enforcement agencies, regulators, and private sector entities to effectively tackle crypto-related fraud. Slotkin emphasized the importance of the task force established by the SAFE Act, stating that it would leverage all available resources to combat fraud in digital assets. Moran highlighted the growing use of cryptocurrency and the need for legislation to protect Americans from scams. The Federal Bureau of Investigation reported that Americans lost $9.3 billion to crypto-related investment scams in 2024, a significant increase from the previous year. Individuals over 60 were particularly affected, with losses totaling $2.84 billion. It is important to note that these figures include any investment scam that mentions cryptocurrency, even if it does not involve blockchain or digital currencies. Despite efforts to raise public awareness, crypto fraudsters have developed more sophisticated methods to deceive investors. Gabriel Shapiro, general counsel of crypto investment firm Delphi Labs, expressed optimism about the SAFE Act's potential impact, suggesting that its successful implementation could cause panic among scammers. Shapiro noted that high-ranking officials, including the attorney general and directors of the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network and the United States Secret Service, would be involved in pursuing crypto criminals. TRM Labs, a blockchain forensic firm, is among the private sector players ready to assist U.S. officials. Ari Redbord, vice president and global head of policy at TRM Labs, stated that collaboration between industry and law enforcement could significantly reduce criminals' ability to exploit transformative technologies for harm. By working together, they aim to track and disrupt illicit networks in real-time, enhancing the overall effectiveness of efforts to combat cryptocurrency fraud.