Congresswoman Waters Slams Crypto Legislation as National Security Risk

Congresswoman Maxine Waters (D-CA) has intensified her criticism of cryptocurrency legislation, asserting that the Digital Asset Market Clarity Act of 2025, also known as the CLARITY Act, poses significant risks to consumers and national security. In a recent press release, Waters warned that the bill could lead to increased investor harm, plant the seeds for the next financial crisis, and endanger national security. She referred to the bill as the “CALAMITY Act,” emphasizing her strong opposition to its provisions.

Waters' criticism comes as the U.S. House of Representatives is set to vote on key crypto legislation, including the CLARITY Act, the Guiding and Establishing National Innovation For U.S. Stablecoins (GENIUS) Act, and anti-Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) provisions. While these bills are generally viewed positively by the crypto community, critics argue that they lack necessary regulatory oversight and could potentially allow politicians to profit from their own cryptocurrencies.

One of the main points of contention is U.S. President Donald Trump's ties to the digital asset sector. Trump launched his $TRUMP namesake memecoin in January, and the Trump-affiliated crypto platform World Liberty Financial introduced its own stablecoin, USD1. Waters has expressed concern over these developments, stating that the Republican-led crypto legislation could amount to a billion-dollar handout to the President himself.

Waters' stance on crypto legislation reflects a broader debate within the U.S. government about the role of digital assets and the need for regulatory oversight. Her criticism highlights the potential risks associated with the rapid growth of the crypto industry and the importance of ensuring that legislation is designed to protect consumers and national security interests.