la liberté avant tout
The IRS is cracking down on noncustodial services with two new rules finalized between the years. Call it the 2024 Christmas Crypto Regulatory Shock. In a manner of days, the Internal Revenue Service has provided clarity on two separate regulations that will have an intimidating impact on anyone who uses what the government deems digital assets. Both of…
Bitcoin’s potential to thrive as a medium of exchange has been unnecessarily hindered by its current tax treatment in the U.S. Introducing a de minimis exemption could help address this issue. With a new administration coming into office next month, and a slew of Bitcoin-related policy proposals on the table for Day One, it is…
Through my work as a consumer advocate, both as the deputy director of the Consumer Choice Center and a Fellow at the Bitcoin Policy Institute, I’ve contributed to various model policies that can be enacted at a state-level in the United States to help advance Bitcoin. Working with state lawmakers, policy organizations, and fellow passionate…
In this episode, Nik Bhatia speaks with Yaël Ossowski of Consumer Choice Center and Bitcoin Policy Institute to explore the intersection of Bitcoin and U.S. banking laws. They dive into how regulations like the Bank Secrecy Act have shaped Bitcoin’s evolution, the impact of financial surveillance on privacy, and the growing issue of debanking for…
Driving past Lake Norman over Thanksgiving weekend, I was once again struck by the fact that this body of water helps power millions of homes across the region and in the state of North Carolina. Using water from the lake to feed the towering condensers, the two nuclear reactors at McGuire Nuclear Station generate over…
In line with common law tradition, the class action system was set up in Australia to address wrongs and deliver justice for ordinary people. But because of a lack of action from politicians and policymakers, it has instead funnelled rivers of gold to faceless foreign investors with a stake in gaming the system. It’s become…
The Town Council of Carrboro has filed a lawsuit against Duke Energy, alleging the utility misled the public about fossil fuel emissions and the timeline for renewable energy adoption. Supported and funded by NC WARN, the suit seeks damages for climate-related harms, pointing to Hurricane Helene’s impact as an example. The suit was filed in…
Reforming the Bank Secrecy Act would empower Bitcoin innovation, protect user privacy, and foster a better balance between regulatory compliance and financial sovereignty. Though Bitcoin was born in the world of computers and code, it was destined to eventually face-off with the legacy banking system. The first block ever mined on the blockchain, Satoshi’s Genesis…