Coin Center Fights to Save Crypto Developer Protection Bill

Coin Center urges the Senate to advance the BRCA bill to protect crypto developers who do not control user funds from prosecution.

Coin Center has urged the US Senate Banking Committee to advance legislation that would shield crypto developers from prosecution when they do not control user funds.

The group warned that removing protections from the Blockchain Regulatory Certainty Act could discourage blockchain innovation in the United States.

Senate Review of the Blockchain Regulatory Certainty Act

The Blockchain Regulatory Certainty Act, known as the BRCA, was first introduced in 2018 by Representative Tom Emmer.

Moreover, Senators Cynthia Lummis and Ron Wyden introduced a revised version last month to clarify federal money transmitter rules.

The updated bill seeks to confirm that software developers and blockchain infrastructure providers are not money transmitters if they do not take custody of customer assets.

Lawmakers are reviewing the draft, and it has not yet been marked up or voted on by the Senate Banking Committee.

Coin Center sent a formal letter to the committee asking lawmakers to preserve the bill’s core protections.

The organization stated that legal clarity is necessary for developers who build decentralized tools and services.

Coin Center’s Argument for Developer Protections

In the letter, Coin Center policy director Jason Somensatto compared blockchain developers to internet service providers and cloud hosting companies. He said these service providers are not prosecuted when criminals misuse their platforms.

https://t.co/s2WfxKDelb

— Coin Center (@coincenter) February 17, 2026

“This is the same type of activity conducted every day by internet service providers, cloud hosting services, router manufacturers, browser developers, and email providers,”

Somensatto wrote. He added that authorities do not threaten those actors with prison when criminals misuse their systems.

He argued that the same legal standard should apply to blockchain developers who publish code but do not manage user funds.

Somensatto said the BRCA would allow future innovators to build decentralized systems without fear of criminal liability.

Related Reading: Senate Banking Confirms Crypto Bill Talks With SEC Chair Atkins

Recent Convictions and Industry Concerns

The debate comes after several crypto developers were convicted in the United States in 2025.

Those cases included Tornado Cash developer Roman Storm and Samourai Wallet founders Keonne Rodriguez and Will Lonergan Hill.

Consequently, courts convicted all three of conspiring to operate an unlicensed money-transmitting business.

Meanwhile, judges sentenced Rodriguez to five years in prison and Lonergan Hill to four years. Storm is awaiting sentencing.

Coin Center stated that weakening the BRCA could increase uncertainty for developers working in open-source software.

The group warned that some developers may choose to leave the United States if clear protections are not enacted.

Lawmakers continue to review the bill as discussions over digital asset regulation progress in Congress.