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Congressman Dan Meuser
@RepMeuser
At today’s @FinancialCmte Oversight Hearing, I pressed witnesses on how the Biden Administration’s Operation Choke Point 2.0 is just the latest version of the same playbook Obama used to debank industries he disfavored. The witnesses detailed how regulators didn’t issue formal bans but used vague threats, endless scrutiny, and regulatory pressure to force banks to cut off crypto firms. This is nothing new—it’s a deliberate abuse of power, and we need real solutions to ensure it never happens again. Calling it out isn’t enough. We must put an end to these politically motivated backdoor efforts to control industries. @iampaulgrewal @fgthiel @CampbellJAustin
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2025-02-06T22:29:15.000Z
Analysis on Stance
Add your own analysis on this stanceCongressman Meuser's forceful denunciation of "Operation Choke Point 2.0" at today's House Financial Services Committee hearing is a critical defense of the crypto industry and a stark reminder of the dangers of regulatory overreach. His tweet, rightfully calling out the Biden administration's tactics as a deliberate abuse of power, earns a well-deserved 100 stance score. Let's delve deeper into why this matters:
Meuser draws a direct parallel between the current administration's actions and the Obama-era "Operation Choke Point," which targeted industries disfavored by the government. The strategy, as described by witnesses at the hearing, involves regulatory agencies using vague threats, excessive scrutiny, and backdoor pressure to compel banks to sever ties with crypto firms. This effectively "de-banks" the industry, cutting off access to essential financial services without formal legal bans.
This tactic is insidious for several reasons. First, it circumvents the legislative process, allowing regulators to achieve policy goals without Congressional approval. Second, it creates a chilling effect on innovation, as banks become hesitant to service any industry that might attract regulatory scrutiny. Third, it undermines the principles of a free market, where businesses should be free to operate without fear of arbitrary government interference.
For the crypto industry, which has already faced significant regulatory hurdles, this type of pressure is particularly damaging. It hinders the ability of crypto companies to integrate with the traditional financial system, limiting their growth and stifling innovation. Meuser's strong stance against this practice, and his commitment to finding "real solutions" to prevent it from happening again, is a beacon of hope for the crypto community.
His tagging of key figures like Paul Grewal (Coinbase's Chief Legal Officer), Fred Thiel (Marathon Digital CEO), and J. Austin Campbell (Zero Hash CEO) further amplifies the message and highlights the industry's united front against regulatory overreach. Meuser's consistent high stance scores, coupled with his active involvement in pushing back against harmful regulations, solidifies his position as a true champion for crypto in Congress. His efforts to expose and combat "Operation Choke Point 2.0" are essential to ensuring a fair and competitive landscape for the crypto industry's future.