During the debate on a new bill in the United States, it was commented that cryptocurrencies, despite being able to be used to finance terrorism or money laundering, are not a particularly popular method.

In December, the Judicial Branch of the United States Senate, held a hearing, held a hearing on a bill, designed to modernize the laws against money laundering, which includes a review of the role of cryptocurrencies in this practice. The hearing was held on Bill S1241: Modernizing AML Laws to Combat Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing, which is chaired by Chuck Grassley, Senator from Iowa and current Chairman of the Judicial Committee of the 115th Congress. Among other things, there was talk of cryptocurrencies for the financing of illicit acts and money laundering.

Grassley, when the hearing began, in the presentation of S1241, commented that it is designed to give law enforcement the necessary tools to be able to do their job, stating that: 'This bill will modernize our AML laws by providing new tools, modernize methods and close loopholes to ensure that the police can prevent, identify and prosecute those who break the law. '

According to a study by the Tax Justice Network, the United States is one of the easiest places in the world for terrorists, human traffickers and corrupt foreign politicians to hide illicit money, Senator Dianne Feinstein, who supports the initiative, said at the hearing, commenting that: 'The bill is intended to address a number of gaps in current law. It is the product of years of work and is based on recommendations included in a bipartisan report entitled "The Dollar Stops Here: Improving U.S. Anti-Money Laundering Practices."'

The hearing, which heard seven witnesses in two panels, focused on the threat of money laundering, terrorist financing and other forms of illicit financing, potential security problems for the country. The integrity of the US and international financial systems were also reviewed.

The use of cryptocurrencies allows criminals to make illicit transactions that offer great anonymity, allowing criminal profits to be moved between countries. Despite this, Jennifer Fowler, Deputy Assistant Secretary for the Financing of Terrorism and Financial Crimes of the United States Department of the Treasury, sure that the US dollar, continues to be the most popular currency in illicit trade and money laundering. It also ensures that they are constantly working on the validity of the use and development of new payment technologies, such as cryptocurrencies.