Crypto Growth Must Not Risk People’s Safety

The main job of law‑enforcement officers is to keep communities safe and enforce the law. Every day, they see how crime hurts families in Arizona. More criminals are turning to the internet and using cryptocurrency as a tool for fraud and other illegal acts. Those who champion crypto often talk about new technology and money‑making chances. But the people on the front lines see another picture: retirees lose life savings in scams, criminals move money around borders with digital coins, and victims have little hope because crypto transactions are hard to track or undo. The FBI’s recent Internet Crime Report says Americans lost over $11 billion to crypto‑related fraud in 2025. That category produced the highest financial losses of any scam type, with more than 181 000 victims. Investment schemes involving digital assets stole billions from hardworking citizens. The problem is growing; losses rose more than 20 % from the previous year, adding up to nearly $21 billion in total cybercrime losses across the country. Law‑enforcement faces special hurdles with crypto. Unlike traditional banks, digital coins can hop through many wallets, foreign exchanges and opaque networks in minutes. Investigators struggle with jurisdiction issues and a lack of clear records when trying to follow stolen money. Criminals know these weaknesses, which is why crypto is an attractive vehicle for fraud and money laundering.Congress is looking at new rules that could open the crypto market even more. The CLARITY Act aims to regulate digital assets and boost innovation. While encouraging progress is good, doing so without strong safeguards can cost people. Before expanding the crypto market, lawmakers must put solid anti‑money‑laundering rules in place. Arizona senators have a key role here. Senator Ruben Gallego has said the U. S. should stay competitive in new financial tech, which is a good goal. Yet safety and innovation can go together; a healthy money system needs both. No lawmaker should back crypto expansion without first tackling the real dangers that officers, investigators and victims face daily. Those who protect Arizona communities should urge their colleagues to prioritize public safety. The CLARITY Act must include the same strict anti‑money‑laundering requirements that banks follow and protect against scams, fraud and illicit finance on all platforms, including decentralized ones. Arizona families deserve a safe, clear and accountable financial system. They need honest investors protected while law‑enforcement has the tools to fight crime. Most importantly, they deserve leaders who stand with victims, not special interests that want looser rules. Congress can balance innovation and accountability now. It should act before more Americans suffer the consequences.