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The US Treasury and IRS are planning new regulations on digital asset brokers to achieve higher taxpayer compliance. Starting in 2025, they’ll require information about profits, losses, and gross proceeds from cryptocurrency transactions. However, this regulatory step could inadvertently limit the innovation offered by blockchain technology.

“A recent report by the United States Government Accountability Office (GAO) shows significant regulatory gaps in the crypto assets market. It highlights the need for unified coordination to counter blockchain risks and establish a timely response system. Particularly, the report emphasizes rising concerns around stablecoins and decentralized finance’s escalating risks to the crypto and macro economy.”

The FDIC chair, Martin Gruenberg, attributes non-compliance with risk controls, poor governance, and dependence on uninsured crypto deposits to the collapse of crypto-friendly banks like Signature Bank and Silicon Valley Bank. While cryptocurrencies played a part, sound governance and responsible investments are essential for financial stability.

FDIC Chairman Martin J. Gruenberg suggests that the failure of Signature Bank may be partly due to its inability to comprehend risks tied to cryptocurrencies and inadequate management. While the direct impact of crypto exposure on the bank’s collapse remains unclear, it highlights the need for closer scrutiny on crypto market regulations.

The United States Government Accountability Office (GAO) report cites poor governance and unsatisfactory risk-management practices as primary causes of Signature Bank’s failure in March, acknowledging the bank’s exposure to the crypto industry as a potential contributing factor. The continued debate on the role of crypto in failed banks’ circumstances directly affects the fintech and regulatory spaces.

Gemini recently launched the Gemini Foundation, a platform offering non-US derivatives to clients in 29 countries, highlighting a growing trend of crypto companies seeking favorable regulatory environments offshore. However, clients from the US, UK, and EU remain excluded, raising concerns about global crypto regulations and market fairness.

The Winklevoss twins’ Gemini Foundation expands its offerings to non-US residents, now available in 29 jurisdictions such as Singapore, Hong Kong, and India. As it faces regulatory challenges in the US, Gemini focuses on offshore expansion and an Asian pivot to position itself as a global player in the crypto market.