2024

United

Bank AI

DeFi

Polygon

Neutral, decentralized finance (DeFi) protocols should be designated as “critical infrastructure” and overseen by federal cybersecurity agencies in the United States, according to a newly proposed regulatory framework from the legal team behind Polygon Labs.&nbsp;
On Jan. 29, Rebecca Rettig and Katja Gilman from Polygon Labs, and&nbsp;Michael Mosier, co-founder of emergent technology law firm Arktouros, <a href="https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=4607332" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">published</a> “A Conceptual Framework for Combating Illicit Finance Activity in Decentralized Finance.”
The 45-page paper suggests designating truly decentralized DeFi protocols as critical infrastructure, which would be overseen by the U.S. Treasury’s Office of Cybersecurity and Critical Infrastructure Protection (OCCIP).
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
 1/ Today, <a href="https://twitter.com/m_mosier_?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">@m_mosier_</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/katjagilman?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">@katjagilman</a> &amp; I are sharing a paper that begins a conversation around, &amp; proposes a conceptual framework for, how to answer the "illicit finance" policy question as it relates to DeFi. A brief thread below, with links to the full paper + a summary document. <a href="https://t.co/1OQ1gCHiAX" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">pic.twitter.com/1OQ1gCHiAX</a>— Rebecca Rettig (@RebeccaRettig1) <a href="https://twitter.com/RebeccaRettig1/status/1751967709359665569?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">January 29, 2024</a>
</blockquote>
The OCCIP is not an official financial regulator but coordinates the Treasury Department’s efforts to enhance the security and resilience of the financial services sector’s critical infrastructure and reduce operational risk.
It works closely with finance firms, industry groups and government partners to share information about cybersecurity, threats and vulnerabilities.
However, the paper noted that not all DeFi protocols are truly decentralized, and some have significant points of centralization, which should make them subject to existing financial regulations.
Meanwhile, the team has also proposed creating a new category of “critical communications transmitters” that interact with and are integral to genuine DeFi systems as part of the new legal framework.
These entities would have to undertake certain tailored obligations to help protect U.S. national and economic security without becoming “financial institutions” subject to the Bank Secrecy Act, it suggested.
Related: <a href="https://cointelegraph.com/news/defi-platforms-can-comply-with-regulations-without-compromising-privacy-web3-exec" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">DeFi platforms can comply with regulations without compromising privacy</a>
The proposed framework also identified centralized finance or TradFi as separate, with <a href="https://cointelegraph.com/news/us-treasury-crypto-mixers-money-laundering" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">independent control based on guidance</a> from the U.S. Treasury’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network.
In a post on social media platform X, crypto industry lawyer Jake Chervinsky <a href="https://twitter.com/jchervinsky/status/1751972917401858106" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">commented</a>&nbsp;that headlines about securities and commodities laws often dominate policy conversations regarding the digital asset industry.
However, in Washington, D.C., “policymakers are much more concerned about illicit finance than anything else,” he said before adding, “This could be the start of a real solution.”
The authors concluded that in the urgency to stop illicit activity, “we must not forget the important and fundamental goal to empower good activity,” which anchors the Treasury’s mandate of “promoting economic prosperity and ensuring the financial security of the United States.”
Big Questions: <a href="https://cointelegraph.com/magazine/big-questions-can-bitcoin-payments-make-a-comeback/" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">How can Bitcoin payments stage a comeback?</a>

Polygon Labs proposes framework to classify DeFi as ‘critical infrastructure’

Cointelegraph

Other articles published on Jan 30, 2024

Health IT Trends in India 2024: AI, Robotics, and Technology Adoption in Healthcare

Decentralized Crypto Exchange Requested a $30 Million Budget from the Board of Directors to Impro...

Japan’s Foray into Central Bank Digital Currency: A Deliberate Approach

Gate.io Announces Launch of Innovative Inscription Launchpad and Navigation Services

Why Is Bitcoin Price Up Above $43,000 Today?

Elon Musk’s Waning Crypto Enthusiasm Amidst Altcoin Market Fluctuations

Join our free newsletter for daily crypto updates!