FINANCIAL CRIME MATTERS AND BEYOND
ARE WE READY FOR THE
?
GOLDEN ERA OF crypto
2025 looks increasingly likely to inaugurate a global golden era for digital assets , with the U . S . leading the way . This is less of a prediction and more of a fait accompli if you read mainstream news sources , let alone if you tune into the cryptocurrency trade press .
Much of the optimism is fueled by President Donald Trump ’ s cabinet nominees and potential advisors , not to mention Trump himself . Eric , his oldest son , promised attendees of a conference in Dubai in December that his father will be “ the most pro-crypto president in history ”― a pledge the market seemed to believe as Bitcoin soared past $ 100,000 after Trump ’ s electoral victory . 1
The president ’ s embrace of crypto extends to the launch of $ TRUMP and $ MELANIA meme coins days before his inauguration , which at the time of writing have a combined market cap north of $ 8 billion . 2
While the likelihood of a shift in U . S . policy toward crypto has raised concerns among anti-financial crime ( AFC ) professionals , there is reason for hope . Some of crypto ’ s largest boosters believe the new age can only arrive with comprehensive digital asset legislation and regulation in place .
Despite crypto ’ s increasing role in the economy ― it is estimated that 70 publicly traded companies now invest in Bitcoin ― and growing use by transnational criminals , scam artists , money launderers and terrorists , the U . S . still lacks a consistent framework for regulating it .
Some players in the powerful cryptocurrency lobby say they can live with either the EU ’ s MiCA ( markets in crypto assets ) regulation that came into force in June 2023 , or FIT21 ( Financial Innovation in Technology for the 21st Century ), which passed the U . S . House of Representatives last May , as starting points for a unified regulatory framework . But along with hope comes cause for alarm .
14 acamstoday . org