Bitcoin tumbles after US lawmakers take aim at Libra - 'Facebook has burned down the house over and over'
- Bitcoin has plunged 16% after a bruising day in Congress for Facebook's digital coin, Libra.
- "Facebook has burned down the house over and over and called every arson a learning experience," Sen. Sherrod Brown said.
- Brown's comments follow criticism of Libra from Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, President Donald Trump, Fed Chair Jerome Powell, and the head of the House Financial Services Committee, Rep. Maxine Waters.
- Watch Bitcoin trade live.
Bitcoin plunged 16% after a bruising day in Congress for Facebook's digital coin, Libra, fanned fears that regulators will constrain the growth of cryptocurrencies.
"Like a toddler who has gotten his hands on a book of matches, Facebook has burned down the house over and over, and called every arson a learning experience," Sen. Sherrod Brown told David Marcus, the social media giant's blockchain boss. He described Facebook as "dangerous" and said it was a "bad idea" to launch a cryptocurrency.
Brown's comments came shortly after Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin warned Libra could be abused by terrorist financiers, money launderers, and other criminals. President Donald Trump has also warned of potential misuse, said he's "not a fan" of Bitcoin, and questioned Libra's legitimacy. Fed Chair Jerome Powell said Libra raises "many serious concerns" around privacy and consumer protection, while Democratic Congresswoman Maxine Waters - head of the House Financial Services Committee - has called on Facebook to halt Libra until lawmakers and regulators give the green light.
"There are clear signs that both the legislature and executive are not cool with Libra as it stands and this may be affecting market sentiment around Bitcoin," said Neil Wilson, chief market analyst for Markets.com. "Libra will only serve to focus the minds of the lawmakers in Washington about what to do about cryptocurrencies - until now they've not had a clue what they should be doing - Libra offers focus."
"This could be bad news for crypto bulls," he added.
Marcus told lawmakers that a cryptocurrency revolution is coming and the US should seize its chance to lead the charge, and said Libra wouldn't launch until it's "fully addressed regulatory concerns." Short-term sentiment towards cryptocurrencies may well depend on whether he succeeds in swaying legislators this week.
"Libra is a project which is going to continue to provide both head- and tailwind for the crypto king, Bitcoin," said Naeem Aslam, chief market analyst at TF Global Markets UK.
After surging to nearly $13,000 in late June, Bitcoin has plummeted below $9,600 at the time of writing. However, it's still up about 150% this year.
