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The U.S. Treasury Department is pushing for new rules that seek to make convertible cryptocurrencies like bitcoin less attractive to criminals.

The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network, a unit within Treasury that guards against money laundering, on Friday said it is proposing new requirements that would compel banks and some other institutions to maintain records and submit reports to verify customer identities for certain transactions.

“The rule, which applies to financial institutions and is consistent with existing requirements, is intended to protect national security, assist law enforcement, and increase transparency while minimizing the impact on responsible innovation,” Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said in a statement.

U.S. authorities, according to the statement, have found that “malign actors are increasingly using CVC to facilitate international terrorist financing, weapons proliferation, sanctions evasion, and transnational money laundering, as well as to buy and sell controlled substances, stolen and fraudulent identification documents and access devices, counterfeit goods, malware, and other computer hacking tools, firearms, and toxic chemicals. In addition, ransomware attacks and associated demands for payment, which are almost exclusively denominated in CVC, are increasing in severity."

"CVC" stands for "convertible virtual currency" – a category of digital products that can serve as currency. This functions as a medium of exchange, a unit of account, and/or a store of value. Bitcoin is an example.

Mnuchin said the proposed rule “addresses substantial national security concerns in the CVC market and aims to close the gaps that malign actors seek to exploit in the record-keeping and reporting regime.”

The rule, which applies to financial institutions and is consistent with existing requirements, is intended to protect national security, assist law enforcement and increase transparency while minimizing the impact on responsible innovation, according to Mnuchin.

GOP Senator-elect demands that Treasury Department work with Congress on crypto wallet legislation

However, Republican U.S. Senator-elect of Wyoming Cynthia Lummis expressed opposition to the move.

“I am deeply concerned that the Treasury Department is considering a hasty rule governing self-hosted digital asset wallets and the Bank Secrecy Act (BSA),” she said in a series of tweets.

Lummis said rather than prematurely adopting a rule on this "complex topic," the Treasury should immediately begin a "transparent process to engage with Congress and industry, building a consensus to drive America forward."

Been doing work on the rumored transaction reporting rule impacting digital assets (currently being contemplated by Treasury) and wanted to share with you where I am: Tweet storm to follow... (1/8)

— Cynthia Lummis (@CynthiaMLummis) December 18, 2020

I am deeply concerned that the Treasury Department is considering a hasty rule governing self-hosted digital asset wallets and the Bank Secrecy Act (BSA). (2/8)

— Cynthia Lummis (@CynthiaMLummis) December 18, 2020

Rather than prematurely adopting a rule on this complex topic, Treasury should immediately begin a transparent process to engage with Congress and industry, building a consensus to drive America forward. (3/8)

— Cynthia Lummis (@CynthiaMLummis) December 18, 2020

I spoke with Secretary Mnuchin last week and strongly pressed him for a better path forward. Congress is best placed to weigh the competing policy issues at stake. A rule adopted now could also potentially extend the BSA to new types of transactions beyond Congress’ intent. (5/8)

— Cynthia Lummis (@CynthiaMLummis) December 18, 2020

A hallmark feature of digital assets, like #BTC, is the ability to conduct transactions w/out an intermediary. This promotes financial inclusion and freedom. A rule adopted at this juncture would be a solution in search of a problem. More pressing BSA-related issues exist. (7/8)

— Cynthia Lummis (@CynthiaMLummis) December 18, 2020

My state of Wyoming has set the bar high for the rest of the country in promoting responsible financial innovation, including BSA compliance. The Treasury Department should take note. I look forward to building on this strong foundation in the United States Senate. (8/8)

— Cynthia Lummis (@CynthiaMLummis) December 18, 2020

Bitcoin rose to $20,000 earlier this week for the first time, before quickly surging to almost $24,000 just a day later, Bloomberg reported.

A day after topping the $20,000 mark for the first time, Bitcoin earlier hit another all-time high new record of $23,000. This was in conjunction with the Bitcoin options daily trading volume crossing the $1 billion. Many experts predict it will reach $55.000 in the near future.

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