On November 19, the Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee conducted a hearing on virtual currencies, following on the heels of Monday’s hearing conducted by the separate Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. At the November 19 hearing, the Senators asked high-level questions about virtual currencies’ impact on terrorist activities, tax implications, current financial systems, consumer protection, existing regulatory regimes, and America’s interests in remaining a hub of innovation. No Senators, however, spoke of any pending legislation, but like their Monday counterparts, probed law enforcement about regulatory gaps and asked industry members about regulatory difficulties. The themes of the discussion echoed those of Monday’s Senate hearing: virtual currencies’ potential pitfalls and promises.
