In Alabama, we pride ourselves on a spirit of independence and a drive for innovation. From the aerospace engines of Huntsville to the tech corridors of Birmingham, our state is a place where the future is built. As the president of Alabama’s chapter of Stand With Crypto, I see this passion every day in a community of thousands of Alabamians who believe that digital assets are the next great frontier of economic freedom.
We are now at a critical turning point as the Senate Banking Committee refines the "market structure" legislation, which will govern the next decade of American finance. For too long, the digital asset space has been governed by confusion. It is important that our Senator, who serves on the Senate Banking Committee, represents the interests of all Alabamians, not just entrenched interests. A coordinated effort is currently underway by the "big bank" lobby to insert language that would ban stablecoin rewards and incentives, the very tools that help our local communities thrive.
Banning rewards would affect more than just Alabama crypto owners – it would snuff out a key driver of future innovation. Think of a local diner in Dothan: a business like this spends tens of thousands of dollars a year on credit card processing fees. The majority of those fees leave the local economy and the state. Alternatively, they could offer a 4% stablecoin reward to their customers, a win/win incentive to use payment stablecoins in their business, which, in turn, saves the business thousands of dollars that stay in the Wiregrass instead of getting piped to Manhattan. Banning crypto rewards programs would kill this type of innovation in the crib.
Why should a government bureaucrat or a big bank executive be allowed to tell an Alabama crypto owner or a small business that they can't use modern tools to support their community?
Upholding the White House’s vision for a pro-innovation America means pushing back against big bank lobbyists. Alabama’s financial-technology future should not be dictated by institutions that have previously used their power to exclude and "debank" Americans, including the president himself.
Senator Katie Britt is a key leader on financial policy in the Senate. Her leadership can help protect crypto rewards programs while advancing broader digital tools that will empower consumers, small businesses, and local communities. Senator Britt understands the needs of Alabama’s workforce, and we remain hopeful that she will continue to lead the charge for the competitive and free-market policies our economy depends on.
Tabari Humphries is president of Stand With Crypto's Alabama Chapter.
The views and opinions expressed here are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the policy or position of 1819 News. To comment, please send an email with your name and contact information to [email protected].
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