WSJ-debacle gav næring til amerikanske lovgiveres dårligt informerede korstog mod krypto

WSJ-debacle gav næring til amerikanske lovgiveres dårligt informerede korstog mod krypto

Tidsstempel: 30. oktober 2023 kl. 1
WSJ debacle fueled US lawmakers’ ill-informed crusade against crypto PlatoBlockchain Data Intelligence. Vertical Search. Ai.

Following October’s tragic events in Israel, a narrative linking Hamas funding to cryptocurrencies emerged from The Wall Street Journal in an Oct. 10 story authored by the paper’s Angus Berwick and Ian Talley. It fueled Sen. Elizabeth Warren’s crusade against the crypto sector. Subsequent insights from Chainalysis and Elliptic cast serious doubt on the claims, demanding a more judicious examination of the accusations levied against the crypto industry.

At the heart of this discourse is an underlying issue — the United States’ precarious position on crypto regulations. The narrative surrounding Hamas’s crypto funding is emblematic of the U.S. government’s broader inability to grasp the nuanced dynamics of cryptocurrencies. The hasty generalizations and lack of thorough analysis in the WSJ reporting echo a disturbing trend of misinformation that can foster misguided regulations, a concern gravely shared.

Contrastingly, other regions like the European Union and Asia have taken a more balanced and informed approach towards crypto regulation. Their endeavors to understand and integrate this new financial frontier stand in stark contrast to the reactionary stance by some U.S. regulators. The recent acknowledgment by a member of the Securities & Exchange Commission on the missteps regarding the LBRY lawsuit epitomizes this disconnect.

Relateret: Elizabeth Warren bruger Hamas som sin nyeste syndebuk i krig mod krypto

The assertions made by the WSJ and amplified by Warren exemplify premature judgements of the crypto sector made without a comprehensive understanding of the facts at hand. Both Elliptic and BitOK clarified their methodologies, essentially discrediting the inflated figures flaunted by WSJ. This not only questions the integrity of the reporting but also the subsequent political maneuvering by Sen. Warren, which dangerously hinges on dubious data.

Den 27. oktober WSJ issued a correction related to its initial story, a positive step in rolling back the misinformation. However, the damage from the misreporting was already amplified in a Senate hearing on Oct. 26, when members cited the inflated figure of “more than $130 million” in crypto donations to terrorist organizations. The episode highlights the ripple effects misinformation can have, especially in a sensitive domain like crypto regulation, and the essential role of precise, evidence-based reporting in fostering informed discussions and policies.

The scenario unveils a perilous pathway where misinformation can catalyze a cascade of ill-informed policy decisions. The unfounded aggression towards the crypto sector, spurred by misleading narratives, threatens to stifle innovation and alienate a burgeoning industry that holds immense potential for economic growth and financial inclusivity.

The WSJ correction was a positive step towards transparency. Yet, the delay in issuing that correction — even as the misinformation was being used in political circles — arguably shows a woeful disregard for truth. This scenario is not only detrimental to the crypto industry but also erodes trust in media and political institutions, which is foundational to a functioning democracy.

Relateret: IRS foreslår hidtil uset dataindsamling om kryptobrugere

The U.S. is at a crossroads. Policymakers can either delve deeper into a dark abyss of ignorance and reactionary regulation, or they can foster an environment conducive to discourse and understanding. Their choice will significantly impact the crypto industry and the country’s position as a frontrunner in the global financial ecosystem.

Det er bydende nødvendigt, at medierne gør et bedre stykke arbejde med at afgive misinformation og omfavner en mere nuanceret, evidensbaseret tilgang til kryptoindustrien. At give tiltro til ubegrundede anklager vil kun tjene til at underminere USA's status på den globale arena og hindre det enorme potentiale, der ligger i kryptovalutaer. Tiden er moden til, at informeret diskurs kan erstatte vildfarne fortællinger.

Daniele Servadei er den 20-årige grundlægger og administrerende direktør for Sellix, en italiensk e-handelsplatform, der har behandlet mere end $75 millioner i transaktioner for mere end 2.3 millioner kunder verden over. Han går også på University of Parma for en grad i datalogi.

Denne artikel er til generel informationsformål og er ikke beregnet til at være og bør ikke opfattes som juridisk rådgivning eller investeringsrådgivning. De synspunkter, tanker og meninger, der udtrykkes her, er forfatterens alene og afspejler eller repræsenterer ikke nødvendigvis Cointelegraphs synspunkter og meninger.

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