Justice urges U.S. control, regulation of cryptocurrency after conference appearance
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Summary
The governor said he attended a cryptocurrency conference, called for coordinated regulation to protect consumers and compete with China and Russia, and suggested consumers could benefit from easier payments if properly regulated.
Senator Justice, governor of West Virginia, said he spoke at a cryptocurrency and stablecoin conference and urged federal regulators to coordinate rules so Americans can use digital payments safely while the United States retains control of the technology.
"We absolutely have to regulate this," Justice said, adding that U.S. leadership matters: "If America has control versus China or Russia having control, we'll absolutely do it and do it right as best we possibly can." He said he discussed the technology with people he identified as White House staff and other conference participants.
Justice described attending a conference where he met people working on digital-currency issues and said he believes a regulatory framework should combine the Securities and Exchange Commission and commodity regulators to provide clearer rules for the market. "We've got to some way find a way to bond the SEC and the commodities end to make it all go together," he said.
He used a consumer example to describe benefits: when "Toby and Edith" (used as a generic example) can use a card in Walmart without being charged extra fees, that would be a sign the system is working. Justice said he supports banks and wants protections to keep "bad actors" out of the market while allowing broader consumer access.
Justice also described attending with a small pet and light personal anecdote about conference dynamics. He framed his remarks as support for U.S. innovation and federal coordination rather than as a specific legislative proposal. No formal state action was announced during the briefing.
Reporters did not press for specific regulatory language or timelines during the session. Justice said that stronger federal coordination would help consumers and national competitiveness, but he did not provide details on any bills or pending rules the governor's office plans to endorse.