Maxine Waters Queries Meta on New Crypto Trademark Filings

Meta Platforms, previously known as Facebook, is under scrutiny from Congresswoman Maxine Waters, Chair of the House Financial Services Committee. Despite previous setbacks and assurances of halted progress in digital currency, Meta appears to be quietly advancing its involvement in the digital assets industry. This follows Waters’ inquiry into Meta’s recent actions concerning cryptocurrency and blockchain technology.

Trademark Applications Raise Questions

Central to Waters’ concerns are five trademark applications filed by Meta with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). These applications encompass a range of services, from social networking to cryptocurrency trading, hinting at Meta’s continued interest in integrating digital currencies into their platforms. This move is a surprise, given Meta’s previous communication with the Financial Services Committee, which indicated a cessation of all digital asset-related endeavors.

Meta’s journey into digital currency has been fraught with regulatory hurdles. Their initial attempt with the Libra (later renamed Diem) project in 2019 was met with significant pushback from regulators and lawmakers, including Waters. 

The project, which aimed to introduce a stablecoin tied to the company, raised concerns over privacy, security, and the potential for widespread financial disruption. Despite its eventual dissolution and sale to Silvergate Bank, Meta’s current activities suggest a renewed, albeit discreet, interest in the digital currency landscape.

Maxine Waters Demands Clarification

In her letter to Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg and COO Javier Olivan, Waters seeks clarity on the company’s intentions and plans concerning digital currencies. Her inquiry addresses explicitly the apparent contradiction between Meta’s previous communications and their ongoing trademark applications. Waters’ focus is not just on the nature of these projects but also on their broader implications in the absence of a comprehensive federal framework for digital asset regulation.

Waters’ scrutiny of Meta is part of a larger narrative concerning Big Tech’s foray into the digital currency sector. Her previous inquiries into companies like PayPal demonstrate a growing concern among legislators over the unchecked expansion of major technology firms into the financial domain. The lack of a solid regulatory framework further complicates these ventures, posing questions about consumer protection, privacy, and the overall stability of the financial system.

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