Crypto community divided as Biden vetoes repeal of SEC’s SAB 121

  • Biden’s veto of SAB 121 repeal reflects caution amid bipartisan support.
  • Bitwise CEO sees Biden’s decision as aligned with sensible crypto development.

As a researcher with a background in finance and experience following regulatory developments in the cryptocurrency space, I find President Biden’s decision to veto the repeal of SAB 121 an intriguing move. Despite bipartisan support for repealing these controversial accounting guidelines seen as unfavorable to cryptocurrency, Biden has chosen to exercise caution.


In an unexpected decision, President Joe Biden used his veto power to prevent the revocation of Staff Accounting Bulletin 121, or SAB 121, despite bipartisan backing for its repeal.

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has issued guidelines in SAB 121, which some find controversial due to its perceived unfavorableness towards cryptocurrencies. Detractors claim that this regulation may dissuade investment banks from offering comprehensive custodial services for cryptocurrencies.

The story so far

On the 16th of May, an unusual show of unity amongst Democrats and Republicans occurred as they came together to approve the repeal of SAB 121. This resolution was duly passed with a clear majority, securing 60 affirmative votes against 38 dissenting ones.

Previously, the White House issued a caution that rescinding this regulation might weaken the Securities and Exchange Commission’s capacity to safeguard investors in the cryptocurrency market.

The administration made it clear that President Joe Biden would block the repeal if it came to a vote, and true to his word, he used his veto power on June 1st to do so.

Biden’s veto met with disappointment

As a researcher examining this issue, I’ve encountered significant disagreement among those who believe these guidelines are detrimental to their interests. Their disappointment stems from the fact that this decision goes against the prevailing sentiment in both legislative bodies.

As a researcher examining the SEC’s regulatory reach and Congress’s advancements in blockchain legislation, I’d like to add some depth to the discussion. The Blockchain Association has commented on this issue, shedding light on the SEC’s expansive regulatory scope and Congress’s ongoing efforts to shape regulations for this technology.

Crypto community divided as Biden vetoes repeal of SEC’s SAB 121

Biden’s reason behind his bold move 

On May 31st, in response to Congress’ decision to revoke the cryptocurrency accounting regulations, Biden issued an official letter. In his own words, he stated:

Reversing the SEC staff’s decision in this manner could potentially weaken the SEC’s overall control over accounting regulations.

He further added, 

As a responsible crypto investor, I would never advocate for actions that could potentially harm consumers or put their investments at risk.

As a researcher studying the cryptocurrency world, I would take Charles Hoskinson’s remarks with a degree of caution. He recently expressed his thoughts on platform X through a post.

“The War on Crypto Continues.” 

Sharing the same line of thought was the CEO of Galaxy Digital, Mike Novogratz who said, 

Crypto community divided as Biden vetoes repeal of SEC’s SAB 121

Not everyone is on the same page!

As a neutral analyst, I’d like to point out that while some expressed disappointment with President Biden’s position on this issue, it is essential to acknowledge that not everyone shared this sentiment. For example, Hunter Horsley, the CEO of Bitwise, had previously expressed support for Biden’s stance.

As a seasoned analyst, I can tell you that a significant number of American lawmakers are actively advocating for the prudent growth of cryptocurrencies within the United States. This isn’t just a few voices; it’s a substantial majority. Looking ahead, we anticipate that 2024 will mark the beginning of this digital asset class entering the mainstream era.

Despite Congress exhibiting growing curiosity towards cryptocurrencies, the White House maintains a careful stance on their potential consequences.

As a researcher studying the political landscape, I find it intriguing to observe the repercussions of President Biden’s decision to veto the repeal of SAB121 despite opposition from Congress. The impact on his campaign leading up to the next presidential election remains to be seen.

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2024-06-01 14:15