House Gears Up for Crucial Vote on Biden’s Veto of SAB 121 Crypto Rule

The U.S. House will vote next week to overturn President Joe Biden’s veto of Staff Accounting Bulletin 121, also known as SAB 121. The bulletin has stirred controversy in the crypto industry. It mandates that firms custodying crypto record customer holdings as liabilities.

House Majority Leader Steve Scalise indicated the vote might occur on Tuesday or Wednesday. Following the veto, the vote is a constitutional obligation. The measure previously passed the House with a 228-182 vote.

Bipartisan Push to Overturn SAB 121 Veto

SAB 121 requires firms holding crypto assets for customers to list these as liabilities. This rule has raised concerns among banks and the crypto industry. They argue it could hinder their ability to safeguard digital assets.

The resolution to overturn SAB 121 has seen bipartisan support. In May, the Senate passed it with a 60-38 vote, including support from Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer. However, overturning a veto requires a two-thirds majority in the House and Senate.

From venture capital firm Paradigm, Alexander Grieve noted the challenge but saw potential. “Remember when Biden vetoed the SAB121 rollback? It’s back on the House floor next week.” He pointed out the previous bipartisan support for the FIT21 crypto market structure bill.

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Challenges Mount in Overturning Crypto Rule Veto

Despite bipartisan support, overturning the veto remains challenging. The House needs 290 votes, 60 more than the initial 228 votes in favor. Cody Carbone from the Chamber of Digital Commerce expressed doubts about reaching this threshold.

Carbone emphasized the difficulty of changing 60 members’ minds in a week. He acknowledged the efforts for consumer protection and good governance. However, he believes the attempt to override the veto will ultimately fail.

The crypto industry remains hopeful but realistic about the upcoming vote. They recognize the steep hill to climb to overturn the veto. The focus now is on rallying additional support in the House.

The outcome of the vote has significant implications for the crypto industry. If the veto is overturned, it could ease concerns about banks’ ability to safeguard digital assets. Conversely, if it stands, firms may need help complying with SAB 121.

The crypto industry has been vocal about its concerns. They argue that the rule could stifle innovation and hinder the growth of digital assets. The upcoming vote is crucial for determining the regulatory landscape for crypto.

Supporters of overturning the veto emphasize the importance of flexibility for financial institutions. They argue that SAB 121 imposes undue burdens on firms holding crypto assets. The vote will be a crucial indicator of congressional support for the crypto industry.

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